A source for your newfound fun fact.

What has been your actual pay rate? $15-20/hr as an independent contractor is more like $10-14/hr after taxes. Are you concerned about the year end tax implications?

I read your name as Coffee Jerky and honestly I would absolutely try that.

I strongly recommend Bully Tools for shovels and other garden tools. I bought the most heavy duty shovel home depot had on the shelf and broke it two hours into my project. The bully tools shovel handled the same work no problem. I have two shovels, a rake, and a hoe from them.

Stripping popcorn ceiling

Doesn’t sound like much

These are mutually exclusive. The best case scenario for popcorn ceiling is that it’s a tedious pain to remove, and it only gets worse from there (painted, asbestos, etc.)