Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Frankybadboy on May 19, 2015, 07:14:42 am
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If like me your going to be on your back with feet up for a long period of time.
Who would manage your work
Who would do the work
Is your database as good and up to date as you think
How much is up in your head and not on paperwork
Trust
Etc etc etc
We still need to live and a income is needed
So how would you cope ?
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Wouldn't :'( got accident and sickness plan that would cover mortgage payment and a little bit left over
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I wouldn't.
I'd be stuffed to be honest. 95% of my work is on software but as I don't employ or have anyone close at hand with extra capacity to take it on I'd be up poope creek without a paddle. Money wise I'd have a small income from an insurance scheme I pay into but nowhere near my normal income.
I love my cycling but always at the back of my mind I'm wondering how I'd cope if I broke a collar bone etc.
Sometimes self employment isn't all it's cracked up to be.
How about you Franky?
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I wouldn't.
I'd be stuffed to be honest. 95% of my work is on software but as I don't employ or have anyone close at hand with extra capacity to take it on I'd be up poope creek without a paddle. Money wise I'd have a small income from an insurance scheme I pay into but nowhere near my normal income.
I love my cycling but always at the back of my mind I'm wondering how I'd cope if I broke a collar bone etc.
Sometimes self employment isn't all it's cracked up to be.
How about you Franky?
+1
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I would struggle personally. I hate having 1 day off in the week because of rain etc let alone being out for as long as you.
I don't know you like others do franky but from what iv read your a very active person, so it must drive you round the bend knowing your going to be out of action for so long!
This forum is a blessing and it's great to see all the offers of support from people on here. I hope you accept the help being offered so this whole experience can be a lot easier for you to get through.
Even the best of us need a little guidance from time to time...
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I would be totally stuffed - bankrupt and homeless.
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id be ok money wise for about 3 or 4 months with no income and id ring/text and send letters to customers informing them i wont be round for a while.id hope customers would understand and i think most would stick by me and i could ease myself back into it after this time.
we should all have at least 3 months money for bills,etc tucked away anyway(preferably 6 months)
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i wouldnt let anyone clean my work.dont trust no one!never ever.lots of my work is like gold dust for a window cleaner with not enough work.
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Got some savings and the wife works full time we would survive
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id be ok money wise for about 3 or 4 months with no income and id ring/text and send letters to customers informing them i wont be round for a while.id hope customers would understand and i think most would stick by me and i could ease myself back into it after this time.
we should all have at least 3 months money for bills,etc tucked away anyway(preferably 6 months)
Yep, I always keep £20,000 under the matteress just in case.
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sarcasm doesnt come through that well on the internet dave!
surely you ve got SOME money put aside just in case esp if you ve got kids and a missus?at least 3 months bill money? ::)roll
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Trust is a big issue I must say when you put in the position
Work data is not as Good as it could be,I've only got a handful of email address to let a few customers know,
Thank fully for me I was due to have another lad start with me last week after a couple of days trail but he no where up to speed and doesn't know the work at all
But thankfully he's helping Don-key out who in turn is helping doing some of my work
With out donkey I would be lost really and can't thank him enough for the help he's given
Also I have two other good mates who I started up with who are going to do the odd day work here and there
I am more worried about keeping a good level of service than the money
Yes I have a bit of savings and a few good friends who have oftered to help me out financial is I need help until i rec a pay out.
The pay out is what I be hoping for to keep head above water
Mortgage don't have one let the ex wife keep that,but still have to pay for my kids
wife is a full time career for our disabled boy and now for me bless her
When I get back a few thing will have to be updated and prices uped
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sarcasm doesnt come through that well on the internet dave!
surely you ve got SOME money put aside just in case esp if you ve got kids and a missus?at least 3 months bill money? ::)roll
Yes, I have SOME money but six months? Not many families have that kind of emergency fund. You have to remember Dazmond you don't have the financial commitments of most people of your age. A lot of us have teenagers at home, mortgages and bigger bills. You have the same income but the same outgoings as one of my kids.
My wife works part time so combined with insurance we would survive at a much reduced level. The business though, would be in trouble I think with a lay off of say six months.
Like you Franky I don't have all my contact telephone numbers or emails. Nobody in our house has access to my cleaner planner programme either or would know what to do with it if I was seriously ill.
If I popped my clogs there is nothing really in place for the family long term.
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You must be entitled to certain benefits, and you must not not worry about your customers for now, you have to get yourself well,
and rely on your friends. You will get through this difficult period in your life, but try and think about yourself, and don't be afraid to ask for help.
I have found in the past that customers are very understanding about illness, and as long as you inform them they will be patient.
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Trust is a big issue I must say when you put in the position
Work data is not as Good as it could be,I've only got a handful of email address to let a few customers know,
Thank fully for me I was due to have another lad start with me last week after a couple of days trail but he no where up to speed and doesn't know the work at all
But thankfully he's helping Don-key out who in turn is helping doing some of my work
With out donkey I would be lost really and can't thank him enough for the help he's given
Also I have two other good mates who I started up with who are going to do the odd day work here and there
I am more worried about keeping a good level of service than the money
Yes I have a bit of savings and a few good friends who have oftered to help me out financial is I need help until i rec a pay out.
The pay out is what I be hoping for to keep head above water
Mortgage don't have one let the ex wife keep that,but still have to pay for my kids
wife is a full time career for our disabled boy and now for me bless her
When I get back a few thing will have to be updated and prices uped
Get well soon Franky.
With regard your pursuing financial compensation for your injury.
May I suggest you use an experienced local solicitor to deal with your claim and not one of those "blame and claim" companies where you will only be a name on a list whose point of contact will be a call centre with multiple staff that won't actually know you or care to know.
A good solicitor should get you the compensation you deserve.
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Franky most likely has an insurance because of his competitive hobby. You aren't allowed to enter races without it. What level it is I don't know or how long it takes to come through could be months.
Certainly a wake up call for some of us.
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I have been off with a knee replacement and my saving has bottomed out. I at this stage is not able to do a full days work yet. It has surprised me how many customers are not prepared to stick with you. Its tough so Franky don`t expect to much mate. One good thing you have mates that will help you keep up and I cannot help you, but I will say a big thank you to all who are prepared to step in and help you. Well done guys you are special type of friend.
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The most important thing when starting a business is
Do you run the business or does it run you?
My business was started so I do not have to be there - my only job which is important is the sales and marketing and I have just employed a surveyor to look at all the new enquiries that come in so I don't have to do that even.
I never see my lads - my supervisor deals with them all on a day to day basis - he also schedules all the works and as soon as he finishes a job a simple button is pressed on our software and an invoice is created and sent.
We have even started a team in Leeds recently doing office cleaning on evenings and also do one off stuff on weekends - I supplied a van etc and they get on with doing the work - it works really well for us at the moment and we hope it continues this way.
It is essential to realise that you must price work properly so you can employ others to do the work for you - that is the idea of my business anyway.
Without a doubt if I was just window cleaning I would adopt the Ian Lancaster franchise system - you would not have a problem now if you had done this say a year or two ago.
Hope you get well soon and perhaps use this time to fully learn how to move your business forward when you recover.
Good Luck!
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My database also isn't great for my domestic work although I think I'd be able to retain quite a high percentage of it.
Commercial work would go to the dogs. We have daily/twice weekly/ weekly etc work so it would need servicing regardless. I can't imagine anyone's commercial work will wait more than a couple of months at the most.
Financially I'd be able to live for about 10 months with no income whatsoever. Anything longer than that I'd be stuffed.
I don't know how people live from month to month without a security fund to fall back on. I don't think if sleep at night knowing a twisted ankle would mean struggling to meet my mortgage.
I hope your claim is sorted asap Frank so at least you have thinks taken care of financially. It must be a nightmare having that on your mind whilst being laid up.
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The most important thing when starting a business is
Do you run the business or does it run you?
My business was started so I do not have to be there - my only job which is important is the sales and marketing and I have just employed a surveyor to look at all the new enquiries that come in so I don't have to do that even.
I never see my lads - my supervisor deals with them all on a day to day basis - he also schedules all the works and as soon as he finishes a job a simple button is pressed on our software and an invoice is created and sent.
We have even started a team in Leeds recently doing office cleaning on evenings and also do one off stuff on weekends - I supplied a van etc and they get on with doing the work - it works really well for us at the moment and we hope it continues this way.
It is essential to realise that you must price work properly so you can employ others to do the work for you - that is the idea of my business anyway.
Without a doubt if I was just window cleaning I would adopt the Ian Lancaster franchise system - you would not have a problem now if you had done this say a year or two ago.
Hope you get well soon and perhaps use this time to fully learn how to move your business forward when you recover.
Good Luck!
100% patronising as usual ::)roll
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I'm not too bad as my wife earns a decent wage, I honestly would have thought twice about going down the self
employed route if this wasn't the case, but then most private PAYE jobs offer no better financial security other than the
state sick.
I was off for nearly a year and the majority of my customers stayed loyal and the few that moved came back.
The thing is you will get by, even if you have to run up a bit of debt you wont be long paying it back.
Stay positive sort out what you might be entitled to and cut out any bills that you can do without, that includes anything
to do with your business as well, freeze any insurances that you wont need for a while such as public liability also road tax
if you can park the van off road.
You can also come to a short term arrangement with your mortgage if you need to.
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The most important thing when starting a business is
Do you run the business or does it run you?
My business was started so I do not have to be there - my only job which is important is the sales and marketing and I have just employed a surveyor to look at all the new enquiries that come in so I don't have to do that even.
yA YA yA T he sun always Shines in Rhinoland. No every body starts with big money. When will you be writing the book for us to follow in your foot steps.
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I had over four months off last year, Franky; it is hard.
Financially, we managed. My missus works part time but it's decent money. I dipped a bit into my savings, as well. (I had another part time income, too, and that was a big help [especially when they said they weren't paying me but they did ;D] but that's no help to you). We did get offers from our families, too, but we didn't need to take them up.
My round is mostly in my head. I leafletted my customers to let them know and that I was coming back. I lost one (3 windows ::)roll) but received numerous texts and calls wishing me well and saying that they were prepared to wait for my return.
Another couple of wc'ers also did a few cleans for me but the rest of my customers were very patient. I think customers like to know where they stand.
Overall, I was lucky in many ways. A good family was vital and I reckon you've got that. My customers valued me as as a window cleaner and as a person and I think you've got that covered, too.
Personally my biggest struggle was myself; it can get you down and you almost feel inadequate. I lost my temper with my little boy one night and it nearly reduced me to tears; nothing is worth that. You can manage without money and a round but you've got to stay you. Your missus and son want you not money and a business.
So, do what you can to get by and manage your round but it's not the be all and end all; you can always start another or try something else.
Chin up, big fellah; you will survive ;).
Ps. And I'll get round to donating one day ;D
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^ top post Griff. 👍
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The most important thing when starting a business is
Do you run the business or does it run you?
My business was started so I do not have to be there - my only job which is important is the sales and marketing and I have just employed a surveyor to look at all the new enquiries that come in so I don't have to do that even.
yA YA yA T he sun always Shines in Rhinoland. No every body starts with big money. When will you be writing the book for us to follow in your foot steps.
I started in March 2010 with no customers and only £2.40 in the bank
The most important thing I had was self belief
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Is that the first line in the book ? Bet you will want to buy it now Slap. ;D
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Ps. And I'll get round to donating one day ;D
I have to take exception to this, sorry.
Dont say your going to contribute. Just contribute. Saying you're going to donate doesnt help Franky out at all and doesn't get his bills paid.. In fact believing money is going to come in and then it doesnt is worse than nothing being given.
Sorry Griffin, but its the harsh reality of Frankys situation. Its better to say nothing at all rather than this. Peace.
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I know hat my customer base is very loyal and will be more than happy to wait.allready been receiving texts and emails say get well soon don't rush etc
Has for insurance I have British cycling gold cover which has allready started work on my behalf,once Iabitiy is agree in principle then they will start to dip feed me money.the driver is being done by the police staight away so this will make the claim easier
Database is starting to be up dated as we speak
The head is another fight and one I say brin it on lol
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This is why I swapped over to CP.
I could text all my customers in one go. The work still doesn't get done. But i could find someone and send automated texts to keep them in the loop in the mean time.
I saved for rainy months years ago and the money never gets touched.
I have a week off now due to an operation and will dip into it if I have too. Hoping I won't need to with money owed etc.
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Franky, when's the best time to send my begging letter?
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Franky, when's the best time to send my begging letter?
;D
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Staff will do the work. If I can use a computer I will be fine :)
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The most important thing when starting a business is
Do you run the business or does it run you?
My business was started so I do not have to be there - my only job which is important is the sales and marketing and I have just employed a surveyor to look at all the new enquiries that come in so I don't have to do that even.
yA YA yA T he sun always Shines in Rhinoland. No every body starts with big money. When will you be writing the book for us to follow in your foot steps.
I started in March 2010 with no customers and only £2.40 in the bank
The most important thing I had was self belief
I'm sure your words of wisdom have helped franky out tremendously. That's just what he needed to hear
::)roll ::)roll ::)roll
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Franky you will be fine mate.
I've sent a little donation through, as have others, (although think you have to wait 14 days for it....stupid PayPal,lol) but the main thing is that you need to keep positive and know you WILL get better and WILL be back at it in no time.
As others have said, cut off any unnecessary spending, it's amazing what you can actually live on. Even if it means selling a second car (not sure if you have one but you know what I mean). Things like this can ease the pressure.
Worse case scenario is to take out a 0% credit card. You can get some nowadays that are 0% for 24 months. Use that to cover your ABSOLUTE necessities and just worry about it when you get back working. You will have it paid off within the year and be back to normal.
Wish I was local as I'd happily do your work on Saturdays till you were back on your feet.
Keep us posted on your progress too. Sometimes just talking about can help.
Keep going mate. You'll get there.
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Franky, fancy a race up Brassknocker Hill? I'm fancying my chances this week.
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Ps. And I'll get round to donating one day ;D
I have to take exception to this, sorry.
Dont say your going to contribute. Just contribute. Saying you're going to donate doesnt help Franky out at all and doesn't get his bills paid.. In fact believing money is going to come in and then it doesnt is worse than nothing being given.
Sorry Griffin, but its the harsh reality of Frankys situation. Its better to say nothing at all rather than this. Peace.
I never said I would donate, I said I'd get round to it. There's a difference.
It's not easy for me, as well, you know. Put it in for us.
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Wouldn't :'( got accident and sickness plan that would cover mortgage payment and a little bit left over
I would get this policy checked out ASAP! Any claim will be calculated at around 75% of your previous years ' taxable income ' . Ignore the part of the policy where it says you will be paid ' X ' amount in the event of a claim.
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Been there was off for 7 months . Son did what bungalows he could manage a few houses he did bottoms only.(he wont go up ladder and never used wfp before ). Sent letters to all customers explaining what was going on and visited some personally whilst between hospital stays . Wife had just taken redundancy so had some money.
Didn't lose many customers took about a while to get back to normal . Now work better than before .
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wow paul!7 months and you kept most of your customers?there you go franky that should give you some hope.
the reality is most of us will be forced to have time off work at one time or another due to illness/injury so an emergency fund of 6 months bill money tucked away in the bank is a wise move for us sole trader window cleaners ready to spring into action if the need arises.
ive got 3 to 4 months bill money but will build it up to 6 months now.
best wishes franky.chin up fellah
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Franky, fancy a race up Brassknocker Hill? I'm fancying my chances this week.
uou get all the Patrice you need mate you need it
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Franky, just thinking - did your crash helmet take a hit in your accident?
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Franky, just thinking - did your crash helmet take a hit in your accident?
Crikey Dave, the guy's only just got out of Hospital & you're already going after a cheap, second hand helmet!! ;D
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..... and the shorts - lightly soiled apparently.
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wow paul!7 months and you kept most of your customers?there you go franky that should give you some hope.
the reality is most of us will be forced to have time off work at one time or another due to illness/injury so an emergency fund of 6 months bill money tucked away in the bank is a wise move for us sole trader window cleaners ready to spring into action if the need arises.
ive got 3 to 4 months bill money but will build it up to 6 months now.
best wishes franky.chin up fellah
It's not that simple Daz, 6 months bill money for me would be 12k which is not that easy to save up.
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..... and the shorts - lightly soiled apparently.
;D ;D ;D
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Now's the time to reorganise your round to see if you can make it more efficient. If you lose a few customers so what you wont be up to full speed to start with.
make decisions as to what you want out of life eg more time with family ,more time off start a new hobby ( with your luck give sky diving a miss )
Good Luck
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Franky, just thinking - did your crash helmet take a hit in your accident?
the Areo helmet had a few scratches on the out side but on a closer look the inside foam as cracked at the front right up to the top of the head
To you Dave £50 one careful owner but you don't go fast enough to wear a Areo pointy helmet lol
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Already got a pointy helmet thanks - it's the cold weather.
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wow paul!7 months and you kept most of your customers?there you go franky that should give you some hope.
the reality is most of us will be forced to have time off work at one time or another due to illness/injury so an emergency fund of 6 months bill money tucked away in the bank is a wise move for us sole trader window cleaners ready to spring into action if the need arises.
ive got 3 to 4 months bill money but will build it up to 6 months now.
best wishes franky.chin up fellah
It's not that simple Daz, 6 months bill money for me would be 12k which is not that easy to save up.
even if it takes you 5 years to build up mate its there then if the worst comes to the worst.i ll have 10k behind me by the time im 45(next year)specifically for this.thats my plan anyway all being well.
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wow paul!7 months and you kept most of your customers?there you go franky that should give you some hope.
the reality is most of us will be forced to have time off work at one time or another due to illness/injury so an emergency fund of 6 months bill money tucked away in the bank is a wise move for us sole trader window cleaners ready to spring into action if the need arises.
ive got 3 to 4 months bill money but will build it up to 6 months now.
best wishes franky.chin up fellah
It's not that simple Daz, 6 months bill money for me would be 12k which is not that easy to save up.
even if it takes you 5 years to build up mate its there then if the worst comes to the worst.i ll have 10k behind me by the time im 45(next year)specifically for this.thats my plan anyway all being well.
I guess your not planning on popping the big question to your misses then? Lol
10k will be gone in a flash.
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wow paul!7 months and you kept most of your customers?there you go franky that should give you some hope.
the reality is most of us will be forced to have time off work at one time or another due to illness/injury so an emergency fund of 6 months bill money tucked away in the bank is a wise move for us sole trader window cleaners ready to spring into action if the need arises.
ive got 3 to 4 months bill money but will build it up to 6 months now.
best wishes franky.chin up fellah
It's not that simple Daz, 6 months bill money for me would be 12k which is not that easy to save up.
even if it takes you 5 years to build up mate its there then if the worst comes to the worst.i ll have 10k behind me by the time im 45(next year)specifically for this.thats my plan anyway all being well.
I guess your not planning on popping the big question to your misses then? Lol
10k will be gone in a flash.
nope jonny!im not the marrying type mate!im really happy to live apart in my own flat! ;D
besides theres no room at my missus house!her 22 yr old son is still at home and her 15 yr old daughter and i have 2 vehicles and 2 drum kits! ;D ;D
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Stay that way Dazmond...its certainly less stressful...the decisions you make only affect
yourself...your money is yours to spend save etc..and not be appropriated to others even
before you have earnt it.
The good old days ;D
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The good old days ;D
Are these days that preceeded theo nes where you couldnt control the urges from your nether region?
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In regards to op post, I don't think my business would cope, and if I had an injury like yours frank I would consider selling up immediately, that's not to say you should.
I had a load of kidney stones removed a few years back, was having major stomache ache and always had a stitch in my side, had first session of treatment in April and last stone removed in October, was a year from hell, had to have a 2 stents fitted, 1 up me little fella to me bladder other from bladder upto kidneys, was told to have time off work but couldn't as to busy, anyway nearly jacked the lot in, it was that bad. 12 stones in total biggest ones was between 17mm -21mm.
Not only the medical side but the stress it causes it's something I wouldn't go through again, and should anything medical or injuries I would put a for sale sign up the next day.
I do wish you the best recovery and will also be making a payment to your online account
Matt
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wow paul!7 months and you kept most of your customers?there you go franky that should give you some hope.
the reality is most of us will be forced to have time off work at one time or another due to illness/injury so an emergency fund of 6 months bill money tucked away in the bank is a wise move for us sole trader window cleaners ready to spring into action if the need arises.
ive got 3 to 4 months bill money but will build it up to 6 months now.
best wishes franky.chin up fellah
It's not that simple Daz, 6 months bill money for me would be 12k which is not that easy to save up.
even if it takes you 5 years to build up mate its there then if the worst comes to the worst.i ll have 10k behind me by the time im 45(next year)specifically for this.thats my plan anyway all being well.
I guess your not planning on popping the big question to your misses then? Lol
10k will be gone in a flash.
nope jonny!im not the marrying type mate!im really happy to live apart in my own flat! ;D
besides theres no room at my missus house!her 22 yr old son is still at home and her 15 yr old daughter and i have 2 vehicles and 2 drum kits! ;D ;D
;D