DN, merchandising might be the answer for you. Perhaps, you should start by making a list of the criteria that is important to you, like close proximity, no out-of-pocket expenses, regular paycheck, etc. and look for a job that meets your requirements.
For example, as I've posted previously, my husband has worked for TNG and for Hallmark, simultaneously, as a merchandiser. At both companies, he was an employee.
The benefits for TNG were that he was assigned four nearby stores and he could count on a set number of hours per week. They paid like clockwork, every two weeks. The downside was that the work was exhausting, due to the amount of walking in the big box stores and the amount of heavy lifting.
The pluses and minuses for Hallmark are higher pay, although he was initially in installation and I believe that pays more than merchandising, so I'm not sure if that's a fair comparison. Installation involves a
lot of driving and the schedule is erratic. For example, you can go a month or two, with no assignments and then bang, bang, bang, your head is spinning.
He somehow ended up helping a merchandiser at a nearby big box that carries Hallmark. For about a year, his hours were minimal to very minimal, based on the (greeting card) season. Just recently, he was awarded the store as his own and he resigned from TNG, since the hours he once shared are now all his.
The Hallmark minuses would include fluctuating hours, throughout the year.The benefits are the toll on his body is significantly less and they, too, pay like clockwork, every two weeks.
Both companies pay for drive time, over a certain amount, and for admin, which is minimal for both.
DN, this is just two examples meant to assure you that if you decide exactly what you want, there's a company out there to meet your needs.
Hope this helps.
(heart)
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.