[zesty]

Just a bit of different thread to the usual Covid ones...

I was that close to giving up back in 2014, I’d been window cleaning since I was 18. Went on my own, and strarted my own round in 2011.

I was trad, doing 3 storey work, and had loads of leaded and modern Sash style windows. (The ones with tiny panes of glass effect, with plastic criss crossing them)

In the summer of 2014, I’d had enough. I began to hate the job. Taking ladders on off all day and cleaning those horrible windows by hand all day. It was sapping me of life.

I went home one day and said to the wife, ‘that’s it, I’m done, I hate this job’

I also said, ‘I either invest in WFP as a last resort, or I’m done. ‘

Thank God we took the ‘gamble’ a few days later and bought a 2nd hand wfp setup and transit connect.

Never looked back! Love the job now!

[P @ F]

I get those feelings pretty regular TBH , have been at it 15 year now  !
If I had a better financial situation I would probably sell up and concentrate on the heaters and electric reel side of things

[jk999]

Same here it was 25 years ago had enough of ladder climbing every day so nearly jacked in until a couple of windy mates told me about wfp so did it and was best move of my life

[NWH]

I agree could never go back to traditional method I still see a few guys working like this and it’s like what are they doing do they not see that probably 95% of WCs are now WFP,I had to move a ladder round my house earlier in the week and I was thinking to myself as it was bruising my shoulder I could never do this day in day out anymore.

[NWH]

The thing is jobs you used to hate you now love with WFP,a lot of houses that were a nightmare years ago if no ones about take minutes these days I would also say that when most used to say it’s twice as quick were way out when you know what you are doing and where your going,some jobs are 4x quicker.

[johnny bravo]

If you have had full time employment before you will know the restrictions on you.
 Starting time,  setting Alarm
Punctuality,
Finish on time     9 / 5
Ask for holidays.     hope you can get those dates.
Plan holidays ahead.      regardless of weather you have to take them
Cover for someone off sick.
Work week ends when you don't want to


Dare I say more.       This is what stops me thinking there is something better.     

Lottery win.       This is now the only thing that will make me stop.     Even that I may keep a few nice areas on to keep my Sanity.

[P @ F]

I agree could never go back to traditional method I still see a few guys working like this and it’s like what are they doing do they not see that probably 95% of WCs are now WFP,I had to move a ladder round my house earlier in the week and I was thinking to myself as it was bruising my shoulder I could never do this day in day out anymore.

I did that the other day , only took it around the back , I was knackered 

[jonboywalton75]

If you have had full time employment before you will know the restrictions on you.
 Starting time,  setting Alarm
Punctuality,
Finish on time     9 / 5
Ask for holidays.     hope you can get those dates.
Plan holidays ahead.      regardless of weather you have to take them
Cover for someone off sick.
Work week ends when you don't want to


Dare I say more.       This is what stops me thinking there is something better.     

Lottery win.       This is now the only thing that will make me stop.     Even that I may keep a few nice areas on to keep my Sanity.

Well Johhny, thanks for reminding me why i gave up a good job at ICI 20 years ago to be a self employed WC.
FREEDOM 

[Dry Clean]

Boring, thankless, soul destroying, demeaning work with nothing other than money to show for your efforts,  Iv never liked window cleaning and I suspect if most were honest with themselves they would say the same, that said I do like being my own boss/employer and cleaning windows is an easy way to achieve that so it will do for now.

[NWH]

Once you are up and running and have good work it’s not like a job tbh,not to me anyway I enjoy the job ok it’s not gonna make your brain ache but all jobs are the same after a while once you’ve mastered them they all become the same old same old.
Spoke to a surgeon customer he wants to get out of the particular field he’s in wants to perform different operations,that says it all we all get bored it’s human nature.

[Smudger]

Boring, thankless, soul destroying, demeaning work with nothing other than money to show for your efforts,  Iv never liked window cleaning and I suspect if most were honest with themselves they would say the same, that said I do like being my own boss/employer and cleaning windows is an easy way to achieve that so it will do for now.

I second that

Darran

[deeege]

If you ever feel you may want to quit window cleaning, go and spend a week doing 12 hour shifts working in a factory.

It’ll make you realise that you actually don’t hate window cleaning so much after all.

[SB Cleaning]

I have been window cleaning 10 years, wfp from the start,  first 3 years were great ,bored out of my head for the other 7.

I much prefer doing the add on jobs especially pressure washing, been doing it 2 years and love it much better job satisfaction and customers always over the moon with results.

[j timms]

32 years and counting.
Paraffin and scrim . Blade and doofer. Wfp.
It was just a laugh when I started I was young and just wanted money to go out.
I find it soul destroying now and if the money wasn’t good I’d pack up yesterday.
Anybody could do it especially since wfp.
Add ons make me scream as I have too much work .
At least it was dangerous 20 years ago was quite exciting doing 4 storeys off ladders at the colleges.
f*** it’s so dull now

[Dave Willis]

I love it, I dream about it, can’t get enough of it, seven days a week for me?
As for cleaning windows 

[The Jester of Wibbly]

As some say boring as hell.

But compared to being stressed to the hilt, long hours and sleepless nights resulting in bad heath from a high flyer employed job I am happy being bored.

[nathankaye]

Ive never thought about it really.  Personnally I enjoy it.   Outside working, in the trad days it helped to keep fit.  I enjoy meeting people from all backgrounds and so I dont mind the odd chats here and there.   Lol, at the moment though, its a little frustrating as everyone wants to chat though 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

When it was starting to get boring, i switched to wfp and that gave a new leash of life to it and started to expand other aspects of cleaning. 

To be honest, it would bore me more going back into employment and to conform to somebody else's rules and to be paid an hourly rate........No thank you!

[TomCrowther]

I have been window cleaning 10 years, wfp from the start,  first 3 years were great ,bored out of my head for the other 7.

I much prefer doing the add on jobs especially pressure washing, been doing it 2 years and love it much better job satisfaction and customers always over the moon with results.

Exactly the same for me. Ten years in, bored of it and much prefer pressure washing. Better for my neck too. I would like to get an honest, reliable, hard working, non smoking, polite, well spoken, not too ambitious, punctual, tall, with common sense and a clean driving license employee to do the bulk of the windows. How hard could it be?

[zesty]

I have been window cleaning 10 years, wfp from the start,  first 3 years were great ,bored out of my head for the other 7.

I much prefer doing the add on jobs especially pressure washing, been doing it 2 years and love it much better job satisfaction and customers always over the moon with results.

Exactly the same for me. Ten years in, bored of it and much prefer pressure washing. Better for my neck too. I would like to get an honest, reliable, hard working, non smoking, polite, well spoken, not too ambitious, punctual, tall, with common sense and a clean driving license employee to do the bulk of the windows. How hard could it be?

Tall? So he can use an slx18 on 3 story work?

😁

[NBwcs]

Trouble is I dont think i could work for anyone else again now.  Theres been a couple of occasions when out where ive heard shop managers abruptly dishing out orders to staff with out a please or thankyou  , I  actually spoke up to one member of staff in Next and congratulated him on his patience and said im afraid if hed spoken to me like that id have told him to fornicate off. I realised then im destined to be a sole trader for the rest of my working life.

[dazmond]

yep.....many years ago now before i went wfp in the midst of alcoholism/drug abuse.....i sold some work and i struggled to keep what work i had left due to illness..........i also had serious money problems and debts........

luckily them days are far behind me now and i can honestly say its never even crossed my mind over the last 12 years or so.....i could of never dreamt back then that one day my window cleaning round would be as good/profitable as it is today after all these years.......

personally i feel blessed and grateful that ive stuck it out....esp now with this lockdown....we can still work and the weathers been great....

[johnny bravo]

here  here    ,  Only the jealous Fxxkers  are looking out to say we are not essential workers.    I thought this @ first, this is why I stayed in for 2 weeks with no work,  spending my life savings , Skint now  ha ha.    thinking later when van insurances , Tax  etc  broad band   all still want paying.      I am now back on my Pole.  not all day as normal  but enough to bring  a Pay to keep me sane.     
Look forward to a Holliday in Sept   hopefully and reflect on all this

Not ask to take a Holliday ,  just take one because I can.    When & Where.    Better get out now and start saving .   
10 / 1pm today.      2 days wage for someone Employed  in a daily Job
Im loving the Feel of the Extreem in my Hands once again
The water Squirting out onto the Glass
Brings a smile to my face
Loving it

[G Griffin]

But we are not essential workers!
We are 'exceptions'. I know that it doesn't sound as cool but I'm sure most people won't mind if you tweaked it to 'exceptionals'.
It might ease some self doubt, as well.

[CleanClear]

I was gonna jack it in and go helping people. I was going to distribute the "Watchtower" magazine at weekends, and spread good news. Then i seen the light.

[jk999]

Griff why dont you keep your thoughts of we are not essential to yourself who cares what you say no one thats working cares you do as you please bud

[CleanClear]

Griff why dont you keep your thoughts of we are not essential to yourself who cares what you say no one thats working cares you do as you please bud

Eat ya cheesecake and mind your own business.

[G Griffin]

Griff why dont you keep your thoughts of we are not essential to yourself who cares what you say no one thats working cares you do as you please bud

They are not my thoughts, jk.
There's a government list of essential workers and we're not on it. Sorry.
I can't do as I please either because I'm trying to follow the government guidelines.
If people that are working don't like what I say it's because they are uncomfortable about it. What I say is government guideline, generally.

[Slacky]

Only the jealous Fxxkers  are looking out to say we are not essential workers.   

We're not essential workers.

But you don't need to be to go to work.

If you want to work, go out and work. I am. I don't listen to those on here who spout their opinions which I don't subscribe to. They've pretty much shut up since two weeks ago. If they want to start up again, thats fine by me, I'll be outside in the garden.

[Dry Clean]

Griff why dont you keep your thoughts of we are not essential to yourself who cares what you say no one thats working cares you do as you please bud

Griff's a bitter idiot JK, the rest of us know that you don't need to be on the essential list to keep working within the governments guidelines , best ignore.

[Stoots]

Im fed up with it most days but just try to remember I'm coming home by 3pm everyday with a few quid to show for it.  If someone had told me 5 years ago when I was earning £1200 a month I could earn that in a good week I would have laughed in their face

For 10 years before this I worked in a warehouse setting off at 7:30 and not getting in the door whilst 5:30. Rush hour traffic there and back.

It's easy to take it for granted, you have to remember the positives otherwise it can get you down.

[AuRavelling79]

Griff why dont you keep your thoughts of we are not essential to yourself who cares what you say no one thats working cares you do as you please bud

Griff's a bitter idiot JK, the rest of us know that you don't need to be on the essential list to keep working within the governments guidelines , best ignore.

No! I won't have that. Griff is a better idiot, not a bitter one. All he said was that window cleaners are not essential which is absolutely true.

[G Griffin]

Griff why dont you keep your thoughts of we are not essential to yourself who cares what you say no one thats working cares you do as you please bud

Griff's a bitter idiot JK, the rest of us know that you don't need to be on the essential list to keep working within the governments guidelines , best ignore.

I never said you had to be on the essential list, Dry.
You lied about me yesterday; don't make a habit of it, lad.

[G Griffin]

Griff why dont you keep your thoughts of we are not essential to yourself who cares what you say no one thats working cares you do as you please bud

Griff's a bitter idiot JK, the rest of us know that you don't need to be on the essential list to keep working within the governments guidelines , best ignore.

No! I won't have that. Griff is a better idiot, not a bitter one. All he said was that window cleaners are not essential which is absolutely true.

Bitter is essential in these times though. It's the government's guidelines .

[nathankaye]

I was gonna jack it in and go helping people. I was going to distribute the "Watchtower" magazine at weekends, and spread good news. Then i seen the light.

Interesting thoughts,   though bet you havent seen any calling.   
I did however hear two non witnesses say to each other though;  that they havent seen the witnesses calling or even on the trolley.  Something more is to come........

[Dry Clean]

Griff why dont you keep your thoughts of we are not essential to yourself who cares what you say no one thats working cares you do as you please bud

Griff's a bitter idiot JK, the rest of us know that you don't need to be on the essential list to keep working within the governments guidelines , best ignore.

I never said you had to be on the essential list, Dry.
You lied about me yesterday; don't make a habit of it, lad.

Then why keep harping on about essential workers ? within the governments guidelines we are allowed to work if you don't feel safe by doing so then stay at home, as for your opinion on the rest of us working, its the opinion of the scientists and government that count yours don't.
As for yesterday, as it was that stupid I thought Soupy's reply was one of yours, your lesson for today is to learn the difference in being wrong and lying.

[jk999]

I am gonna eat my cheese cake an gonna enjoy it while I have a couple of days off for Easter 😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

[johnny bravo]

ONLY   travel to work if you Cannot work from home,         This is what I hear

[Slacky]

Then why keep harping on about essential workers ?

He's talking tongue in cheek. Jeepers.

[Dave Willis]

I was gonna jack it in and go helping people. I was going to distribute the "Watchtower" magazine at weekends, and spread good news. Then i seen the light.

Interesting thoughts,   though bet you havent seen any calling.   
I did however hear two non witnesses say to each other though;  that they havent seen the witnesses calling or even on the trolley.  Something more is to come........

On the trolley? Most are off their trolley or on the wagon.

[G Griffin]

Griff why dont you keep your thoughts of we are not essential to yourself who cares what you say no one thats working cares you do as you please bud

Griff's a bitter idiot JK, the rest of us know that you don't need to be on the essential list to keep working within the governments guidelines , best ignore.

I never said you had to be on the essential list, Dry.
You lied about me yesterday; don't make a habit of it, lad.

Then why keep harping on about essential workers ? within the governments guidelines we are allowed to work if you don't feel safe by doing so then stay at home, as for your opinion on the rest of us working, its the opinion of the scientists and government that count yours don't.
As for yesterday, as it was that stupid I thought Soupy's reply was one of yours, your lesson for today is to learn the difference in being wrong and lying.

You also accused me of lying but I'm prepared to let it go.
Enjoy your weekend, DC.

[nathankaye]

Not due to Covid 19 but due to family health and how things have been over the last several months. We are looking into perhaps becoming a career and selling all my work and closing it down.    All depends if we get the PIP claim and then careers allowance etc so financially we can do so.
However a little scary due to the unknowns and if its worth trying to keep some work going.  At the moment its all a thought, esp with not being able to get the mother in law down to watch my wife n kids.  Its taken me 3 days to do one days work at the moment. Some down to customers wanting to talk but also im needing to pack up at dinner or before or late afternoon.
I know from what others have posted before, im not the only one with poorly family members.  Has anyone else considered closing down and becoming a career or have you simply cut down and skimmed the best work for yourself and still be the career just to keep some income to top everything else up?

[G Griffin]

You mean a carer?

[Dave Willis]

Caring as a career I guess.

[Dave Willis]

How can you be a full time carer if you’re not there?

[G Griffin]

Not due to Covid 19 but due to family health and how things have been over the last several months. We are looking into perhaps becoming a career and selling all my work and closing it down.    All depends if we get the PIP claim and then careers allowance etc so financially we can do so.
However a little scary due to the unknowns and if its worth trying to keep some work going.  At the moment its all a thought, esp with not being able to get the mother in law down to watch my wife n kids.  Its taken me 3 days to do one days work at the moment. Some down to customers wanting to talk but also im needing to pack up at dinner or before or late afternoon.
I know from what others have posted before, im not the only one with poorly family members.  Has anyone else considered closing down and becoming a career or have you simply cut down and skimmed the best work for yourself and still be the career just to keep some income to top everything else up?

And who's we, Nathan?
Or are you talking like Thatcher instead of the Queen now?
Serious question though.

[AuRavelling79]

I was gonna jack it in and go helping people. I was going to distribute the "Watchtower" magazine at weekends, and spread good news. Then i seen the light.

Interesting thoughts,   though bet you havent seen any calling.   
I did however hear two non witnesses say to each other though;  that they havent seen the witnesses calling or even on the trolley.  Something more is to come........

What do you mean, Nathan?

[nathankaye]

Not due to Covid 19 but due to family health and how things have been over the last several months. We are looking into perhaps becoming a career and selling all my work and closing it down.    All depends if we get the PIP claim and then careers allowance etc so financially we can do so.
However a little scary due to the unknowns and if its worth trying to keep some work going.  At the moment its all a thought, esp with not being able to get the mother in law down to watch my wife n kids.  Its taken me 3 days to do one days work at the moment. Some down to customers wanting to talk but also im needing to pack up at dinner or before or late afternoon.
I know from what others have posted before, im not the only one with poorly family members.  Has anyone else considered closing down and becoming a career or have you simply cut down and skimmed the best work for yourself and still be the career just to keep some income to top everything else up?

And who's we, Nathan?
Or are you talking like Thatcher instead of the Queen now?
Serious question though.

I thought that would be obvious, me and the wife

[nathankaye]

How can you be a full time carer if you’re not there?

Who said im not there all the time at the moment. Mate im currently leaving for work at 11 am and mostly back before or around 3 and thats a good day.   Currently looking into options as before covid19 it was manageable with help from others but without that help, its really really hard to run a business with my situation.  Also my mother in law isnt overly well nor young either so that help isnt every day if we weren't in a lock down.
Hence just a question if anyone else has made a similar decision or balancing the two the best that they can do.

[Dave Willis]

Yes, I realise that but you were talking of working as well so you couldn’t then be classed as a full time carer. It’s not something I know much about only my sister in law was a carer for a while.
I would have thought your income would be taken into consideration.

[nathankaye]

This is also true and is why I will be looking into it from all sides. Obviously income should be considered as well,  so tring to find out if being solely a full time carer and not working is viable or if it needs to be bumped up by maybe keeping the best of my work for one day each week perhaps.

Just wondered if anyone is currently doing so on this forum. I appreciate our circumstances may be completely different but some principles or experience could be beneficial if you want or could drop me a message or email me?

[zesty]

Personally Nathan, I think working would be good for you and your mental health.

If you sell up, and become a full time carer, you’ll lose a lot of self worth, freedom and ‘me’ time.

I think you’d regret it. Then again, I could be completely wrong.

I think you should make the decision when lockdown is over. You might feel differently then. It’s generally a bad idea to make big decisions during stressful short term situations.

Try to see it through to the end of lockdown. Even it means doing just a £100 a day.

[Stoots]

Set someone on full time to do your round and become a full time carer Nathan?

If you set it up as ltd company you can control how much you take home to wangle the carers allowance.

[G Griffin]

Not due to Covid 19 but due to family health and how things have been over the last several months. We are looking into perhaps becoming a career and selling all my work and closing it down.    All depends if we get the PIP claim and then careers allowance etc so financially we can do so.
However a little scary due to the unknowns and if its worth trying to keep some work going.  At the moment its all a thought, esp with not being able to get the mother in law down to watch my wife n kids.  Its taken me 3 days to do one days work at the moment. Some down to customers wanting to talk but also im needing to pack up at dinner or before or late afternoon.
I know from what others have posted before, im not the only one with poorly family members.  Has anyone else considered closing down and becoming a career or have you simply cut down and skimmed the best work for yourself and still be the career just to keep some income to top everything else up?

And who's we, Nathan?
Or are you talking like Thatcher instead of the Queen now?
Serious question though.

I thought that would be obvious, me and the wife

Who would you be caring for that needs two carers or would you both be two full time carers? With your own kids, as well?
I thought you were talking about caring for a family member; excuse me if I've gotten hold of the wrong end of the stick.

[nathankaye]

Not due to Covid 19 but due to family health and how things have been over the last several months. We are looking into perhaps becoming a career and selling all my work and closing it down.    All depends if we get the PIP claim and then careers allowance etc so financially we can do so.
However a little scary due to the unknowns and if its worth trying to keep some work going.  At the moment its all a thought, esp with not being able to get the mother in law down to watch my wife n kids.  Its taken me 3 days to do one days work at the moment. Some down to customers wanting to talk but also im needing to pack up at dinner or before or late afternoon.
I know from what others have posted before, im not the only one with poorly family members.  Has anyone else considered closing down and becoming a career or have you simply cut down and skimmed the best work for yourself and still be the career just to keep some income to top everything else up?

And who's we, Nathan?
Or are you talking like Thatcher instead of the Queen now?
Serious question though.

I thought that would be obvious, me and the wife

Who would you be caring for that needs two carers or would you both be two full time carers? With your own kids, as well?
I thought you were talking about caring for a family member; excuse me if I've gotten hold of the wrong end of the stick.

"We are looking into Me becoming a carer"
Does that make it more clearer

[G Griffin]

Not due to Covid 19 but due to family health and how things have been over the last several months. We are looking into perhaps becoming a career and selling all my work and closing it down.    All depends if we get the PIP claim and then careers allowance etc so financially we can do so.
However a little scary due to the unknowns and if its worth trying to keep some work going.  At the moment its all a thought, esp with not being able to get the mother in law down to watch my wife n kids.  Its taken me 3 days to do one days work at the moment. Some down to customers wanting to talk but also im needing to pack up at dinner or before or late afternoon.
I know from what others have posted before, im not the only one with poorly family members.  Has anyone else considered closing down and becoming a career or have you simply cut down and skimmed the best work for yourself and still be the career just to keep some income to top everything else up?

And who's we, Nathan?
Or are you talking like Thatcher instead of the Queen now?
Serious question though.

I thought that would be obvious, me and the wife

Who would you be caring for that needs two carers or would you both be two full time carers? With your own kids, as well?
I thought you were talking about caring for a family member; excuse me if I've gotten hold of the wrong end of the stick.

"We are looking into Me becoming a carer"
Does that make it more clearer

Yes.
I was only trying to help, Nathan, but you seem a bit touchy about it, so I'll wish you well and leave you to it.

[NWH]

As others have said rent it out or similar I wouldn’t sell it,if you later change your mind or circumstances change you can go back to it.

[nathankaye]

Apologies if that's the impression being given as it was not intended.
Im just a little confused as to why it wasnt clear as many have posted on various threads how they are sick of me going on about my wife's illness.  So I didnt particularly want to take over a thread on the subject.
So me and the wife are looking into the option of me becoming her full time carer and wondered if anyone else has done so and if so, is it worth selling all my work or skimming the best for myself and still doing some work to top the finances up and have some escape time (as suggested).

[nathankaye]

As others have said rent it out or similar I wouldn’t sell it,if you later change your mind or circumstances change you can go back to it.

This is my concern, mostly if the economy and/or government change the rulings or amounts paid out.
My concern over renting is the person renting actually to do the work and regularly pay or will they loose the work

[NWH]

You could say I’m going to go out with someone for 6 months for example and then let them work it,you should tbh be able to earn enough from window cleaning and be able to pay for care to a point.

[Dry Clean]

Apologies if that's the impression being given as it was not intended.
Im just a little confused as to why it wasnt clear as many have posted on various threads how they are sick of me going on about my wife's illness.  So I didnt particularly want to take over a thread on the subject.
So me and the wife are looking into the option of me becoming her full time carer and wondered if anyone else has done so and if so, is it worth selling all my work or skimming the best for myself and still doing some work to top the finances up and have some escape time (as suggested).

Doesn't look as if you have a choice Nathan, renting a round is a bit like employing in this game, for most of us there just wont be enough profit left over to make it worth while, sell your round, look after your wife and sometime in the future you may be in the position to start again, if you've built a window cleaning round once it wont be hard to do it again.
When it comes to money carers are under valued in our society, especially those who are looking after family members, for that reason its not something you would ever do through choice, I would like to think when this pandemic is over things might change but I wont be holding my breath, good luck on what ever you decide.

[NWH]

There’s also a lot of carers out there that are rubbish,my sister in law owns a care business 2000 + staff not including office staff over a dozen branches.
You could say she is busy at the moment,you can get bespoke care Nathan if you go private you will also be able to get help or funding for it if you still want to work part time.

[Dave Willis]

No, Nathan wants to be THE carer. Claim the money. Possibly get the wife on benefits whilst he also goes to work part time. Win win if it can be done.
Although I don’t think a carers allowance mounts to much it all gets quite complicated with other benefits.

[Shrek]

No, Nathan wants to be THE carer. Claim the money. Possibly get the wife on benefits whilst he also goes to work part time. Win win if it can be done.
Although I don’t think a carers allowance mounts to much it all gets quite complicated with other benefits.

Sounds like a plan , tell the benefits office you do 35hrs care a week to get full benefits, wife gets benefits + carry on doing your cash in hand jobs so they can’t prove you earn more than the careers weekly earnings limit of £128. Get your rent paid , council tax paid for you too , why not. Happy days

[G Griffin]

Apologies if that's the impression being given as it was not intended.
Im just a little confused as to why it wasnt clear as many have posted on various threads how they are sick of me going on about my wife's illness.  So I didnt particularly want to take over a thread on the subject.
So me and the wife are looking into the option of me becoming her full time carer and wondered if anyone else has done so and if so, is it worth selling all my work or skimming the best for myself and still doing some work to top the finances up and have some escape time (as suggested).

Ok, then.
If you're looking after your wife- and kids- then you may as well get paid for it. But I'd keep a bit of work on to top up your carer's allowance.  Are you kids still be taught at home, Nathan? I mean permanently not because of the lockdown. That might also have a bearing on what you do, too.
I do sympathise with you. Me and my Missus both work part time because of our little lad and my job fits in around them.
We don't have much childminding help and my Missus is also tied up with looking after her Mum, as much as she can.
She was offered another job a couple of years ago, a job that she wanted but it was an extra day a week and she couldn't take it because of her commitments to her parents (her Dad had Alzheimer's before passing away). We'd have been better off financially but her Mum was worried about losing any support.
If you do end working around everyone else, you'll find the hardest part is actually getting to work and getting enough done.
I plan my work around her shifts, school hours and term times, seeing my Dad and then you've got the weather!
Good luck .

[dudek]

Window cleaning is all I really know.

I start out when I was 12/13 with my uncle wiping the sills for a fiver a day!(best money I ever earned).

When I was sixteen, I worked for my uncle again and ditched a painting and decorating apprenticeship to do it.  My uncle was a precision engineer before he began his rounds in the 90’s recession. He taught me to blading perfection and then he played me and his son off against each other for who could blade the best and fastest. We were both bloody fast and he was getting rich off of us!!

I eventually got fed up of the lack of growth and decided I’d borrow some ladders off of of my old man and start my rounds for p up money aged 18 or so.

Once I realised what the game was all about I committed fully to it, me and my uncle fell out and I went all out on my own. I treated it as a learning to run a business thing and that I’d go onto bigger and better things and be a multimillionaire soon enough.

I’ve been very blessed to meet some incredible people on my journey who I have learned from and grown from and become great lifelong friends with Julie and Carl at Concept  2O who helped me get to grips with wfp. They really poured their hearts into their customers from across the U.K.

Where am I now? Still window cleaning! I do get very low and miss having banter etc during work but this work affords me so much flexibility. I’m looking around for a hobby now as I’m desperate to use my brain. I’ve been using the Khan Academy app to sort my mathematical weaknesses out(highly recommended for those who have regrets in that area)(I messed around a lot at school).

Ive tried goals, whips and every other carrot in the book to try to flog this dead horse. I go through spells where I have a really good three months then I slip into disarray and just muddle through. I don’t have the answer for the best way to do this work. Many of my friends are window cleaners, we are a funny breed when we’ve done it considerable time. It really changes you. I’m a social creature but the same conversation with the same people month in month out, year after year becomes a bit wearing.

I’m 38 now, have three young kids, so have very few options until they are a bit older but I’ll always look for a positive.

Dudek

[NWH]

Window cleaning is all I really know.

I start out when I was 12/13 with my uncle wiping the sills for a fiver a day!(best money I ever earned).

When I was sixteen, I worked for my uncle again and ditched a painting and decorating apprenticeship to do it.  My uncle was a precision engineer before he began his rounds in the 90’s recession. He taught me to blading perfection and then he played me and his son off against each other for who could blade the best and fastest. We were both bloody fast and he was getting rich off of us!!

I eventually got fed up of the lack of growth and decided I’d borrow some ladders off of of my old man and start my rounds for p up money aged 18 or so.

Once I realised what the game was all about I committed fully to it, me and my uncle fell out and I went all out on my own. I treated it as a learning to run a business thing and that I’d go onto bigger and better things and be a multimillionaire soon enough.

I’ve been very blessed to meet some incredible people on my journey who I have learned from and grown from and become great lifelong friends with Julie and Carl at Concept  2O who helped me get to grips with wfp. They really poured their hearts into their customers from across the U.K.

Where am I now? Still window cleaning! I do get very low and miss having banter etc during work but this work affords me so much flexibility. I’m looking around for a hobby now as I’m desperate to use my brain. I’ve been using the Khan Academy app to sort my mathematical weaknesses out(highly recommended for those who have regrets in that area)(I messed around a lot at school).

Ive tried goals, whips and every other carrot in the book to try to flog this dead horse. I go through spells where I have a really good three months then I slip into disarray and just muddle through. I don’t have the answer for the best way to do this work. Many of my friends are window cleaners, we are a funny breed when we’ve done it considerable time. It really changes you. I’m a social creature but the same conversation with the same people month in month out, year after year becomes a bit wearing.

I’m 38 now, have three young kids, so have very few options until they are a bit older but I’ll always look for a positive.

Dudek

Great post you said it all there for some people it would have taken a book to point most of that out,just by reading that I feel I know your story m8.
Window cleaning is a funny game to be in,we want to work on our own some of us yet at the same time when we have our thoughts to ourselves know it could be a lot better and bigger.
Loads of times I’ve thought I could have multiple vans on the road by now but have always liked my freedom to do what I like,saying that I always work a longish day and put the effort in lol.
I know that the reality is people in other jobs feel the same and the vast majority are not happy in their jobs,the grass is always greener they say and from experience of listening to other people that saying is very true 👍.

[dudek]

Cheers buddy.

This is always gonna be a thankless job, so we have to be strict where we can and make the best of it!

I wised up many years ago. From the moment you take on a new customer they have to work with your rules!  People will accept anything you suggest it just has to be done in a professional, firm but friendly manner.

   

[zesty]

Cheers buddy.

This is always gonna be a thankless job, so we have to be strict where we can and make the best of it!

I wised up many years ago. From the moment you take on a new customer they have to work with your rules!  People will accept anything you suggest it just has to be done in a professional, firm but friendly manner.

   

It’s also quite rewarding at times, especially when a house is filthy, and you’re also cleaning the gutters, or softwashing etc.

But on the whole, the reasons I love this job are mainly:

1. The freedom

2. Stress free

3. Easy

4. No boss, or annoying colleagues

5. Short Hours

6. And Perhaps the best, the money is good!