Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: The Jester of Wibbly on October 10, 2025, 07:29:26 pm
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Something I've thinking for a while, and for me I will be hanging my poles up for good when I reach 62. That's 5 years before state pension age, so that's my financial goalpost.
What age are you planning on stopping at?
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When my body won't let me clean windows anymore. Desperately hoping that's not before state pension age (in 7 years) else I'm b******sed. I'd be happy to carry on post state pension age on a much reduced schedule just to keep fit and active and bring in a little extra. But my health will dictate everything.
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Realistically? Morning of my funeral.
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You need a pretty big pot to retire comfortably.
I am 61 and close to being able to retire financially.
I actually quite enjoy working and physically feel good, so until one of those factors change will probably keep working. One thing I find in life: it is hard to know what to do until you get there.
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I’m kinda a 3 day a week guy currently. That’s retired enough for me.
Getting a new truck next year, transit custom (which they call Transit Cargo over here) so can’t be that retired. But everyone has a truck of some sort, even a lot of the women. I just want something I can keep all my kit at the same time.
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64 next birthday and have no plan to retire.
I have seen, we all have, the husband appears at home with a shiny new car from the retirement lump sum.
A couple of months of todo holidays and all is well.
4 months into his retirement she says “take him with you, he’s getting under my feet”.
The time after he’s not there as he’s got a little job at Asda just to “keep him busy.”
This is my little job at Asda. (With better pay!)
I schedule work over 3 days now and I’m happy to go down to 2 when it suits.
Health allowing of course.
Tony
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You need a pretty big pot to retire comfortably.
I am 61 and close to being able to retire financially.
I actually quite enjoy working and physically feel good, so until one of those factors change will probably keep working. One thing I find in life: it is hard to know what to do until you get there.
It's a huge decision to give up completely, once you've let it go it's gone. Keeping hold of a couple of days work once at retirement age (health permitting) will be my safety blanket. We're all being kept alive longer with medication these days and there's no guarantee any government will look after you anymore, it's not a given, you really can't have enough dosh behind you going into old age.
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Something I've thinking for a while, and for me I will be hanging my poles up for good when I reach 62. That's 5 years before state pension age, so that's my financial goalpost.
What age are you planning on stopping at?
I'm semi retired already at 53(nearly 54). I feel like I could work 4 x 5 hour days forever but obviously it's dependent on my health.
I have a fantastic work/life balance. I get to pursue my hobbies,chill out with missus and family and do all the things I want to do while still bringing in a good wedge every month.
No plans to fully retire unless im forced to due to illness or injury.
Our mortgage will be paid off next year (ironically just after we get married)so no worries there. Missus still works full time in her business so me working part time allows me to keep the house in order,walk the dog and do the cooking and food shop every week!🙂👍
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I semi retired at 65 and sold half of my round, I then continued to work the remaining half until September last year aged 72, I then had a stroke in September , after a month off work I returned in November.
It was then that I realized I no longer felt fit enough to carry on so I sold the remainder of my round and retired completely in December last year and to be honest I really miss my job and if I was fit enough I would still be doing it today.
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Even if I was a millionaire, I would like to retain my window cleaning around where I live because once a month I have a chat with neighbours. This job can be very socially satisfying and one can be kept up to speed with what's going on locally.
I can nip outside, clean 10 customers windows without moving my van and nip back inside an hour later, sit down with a coffee and trouser a ton. What other job is as good as that?
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i plan to do cash only jobs if i reach it. 62 now. keep my easiest paid compact rounds. a couple of days a week. No worries about getting no hand outs if on Full State Pension. a few hundred pound a week on top sounds good to me
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i plan to do cash only jobs if i reach it. 62 now. keep my easiest paid compact rounds. a couple of days a week. No worries about getting no hand outs if on Full State Pension. a few hundred pound a week on top sounds good to me
I find I get less and less cash as times go by. Some days I get no cash , more payments by BACs.
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I'm 66 and starting the wind down. This time last year my turnover was £3500 per month.
I sold £700 worth to my son in law and dropped to about £2800.
This Spring I sold another £700 worth to my other son in law and am on £2100.
I plan to sell another £700 in Spring 2026 leaving me with the cream £1400/£1500 after price increases.
My full state pension kicked in in June 25 (age 66) and in April 26 should be over £1000 per month plus change.
I also have some rental income providing several hundred pounds already and a pension pot that will let me have a few hundred a month depending how I draw it. (Not using it yet)
In theory if my health holds up reasonably and I drop from £250 a day to just over £200 that will be 7 days a calendar month at 6 hrs maximum.
Mrs Gold won't get her state pension and tiny private pension until Spring 2029 as she will be 67 then. That is probably when I will stop as I will be nearly 70 and my van will be 17 years old if still going.
Before I finally stop I envision having £1000 per month of window cleaning at a maximum of 4 days.
But if my health is good enough I might plod on indefinitely at that level. Or until the van dies. ;D
I am aware that our vehicles are getting on - 19 year old car, 19 year old caravan and a 13 year old van. So have to budget for replacements although the caravan is stored on the site we use so when that dies in a few years we will probably not replace it!
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I'm semi retired at 60 on an army pension working up to three days a week., that's enough for now. I've just had a whole month off in September, really didn't want to go back to work. I plan on cutting down to two days a week and quitting at 64, that's enough, done it far too long. Life is short, time to live and enjoy life and less work.
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I’m 57 and work a 4 day week, roughly 6 hours per day. I think when I reach 60 I will start winding it down, I have plenty of bungalows on my round which will still provide a decent income for minimal effort. Will probably fully retire at 65. I’ve been lumping money into a private pension and I also have income from a rental property.
All that said, my wife has recently taken early retirement on a decent pension at 56, as a result I’m finding it harder to motivate myself so these plans can easily change.
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Wonder if Texas Girl has retired yet?? :)
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I’m 57 and work a 4 day week, roughly 6 hours per day. I think when I reach 60 I will start winding it down, I have plenty of bungalows on my round which will still provide a decent income for minimal effort. Will probably fully retire at 65. I’ve been lumping money into a private pension and I also have income from a rental property.
All that said, my wife has recently taken early retirement on a decent pension at 56, as a result I’m finding it harder to motivate myself so these plans can easily change.
Wow. 56 seems like a very early age to retire completely from the world of work esp if she lives into her 90s. She could potentially be retired 40+ years!
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I’m 57 and work a 4 day week, roughly 6 hours per day. I think when I reach 60 I will start winding it down, I have plenty of bungalows on my round which will still provide a decent income for minimal effort. Will probably fully retire at 65. I’ve been lumping money into a private pension and I also have income from a rental property.
All that said, my wife has recently taken early retirement on a decent pension at 56, as a result I’m finding it harder to motivate myself so these plans can easily change.
Wow. 56 seems like a very early age to retire completely from the world of work esp if she lives into her 90s. She could potentially be retired 40+ years!
Aye she was totally stressed out with her work, she was a deputy head teacher in a primary school. Worked long hours and always had to bring work home with her. She built up a really good pension pot so it was a no brainer to take early retirement and enjoy the fruits of her labour.
It makes a nice difference to get some cheaper holidays too, we always had to go during school holidays so had to pay top dollar. We have booked Tenerife in November and Gran Canaria in February at a fraction of the price we usually pay.
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Way its going it will be state pension age if i get there.
would like to think i wont be working more than 2 days a week at 60 though.
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I'm 67 next week my pension kicked in last October but the last 5 years I have only been working three days a week which has given me the best of both worlds. Myself and my partner ( who retires next year) have done loads of things including a 14 week trip travelling around the world last year. Buying a static caravan in Wales this year has been amazing especially has its been a great summer too. Next month we're going to Perth Australia for a month mainly to watch the first Ashes Test there then we're travelling around for a couple of weeks before flying home from Adelaide via Kuala Lumper for a 3 night stop over. Paid mortgage off two years ago too.
I know people that retired a couple of years ago but said they got bored with their lives so went back into work in some capacity.
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I'm 67 next week my pension kicked in last October but the last 5 years I have only been working three days a week which has given me the best of both worlds. Myself and my partner ( who retires next year) have done loads of things including a 14 week trip travelling around the world last year. Buying a static caravan in Wales this year has been amazing especially has its been a great summer too. Next month we're going to Perth Australia for a month mainly to watch the first Ashes Test there then we're travelling around for a couple of weeks before flying home from Adelaide via Kuala Lumper for a 3 night stop over. Paid mortgage off two years ago too.
I know people that retired a couple of years ago but said they got bored with their lives so went back into work in some capacity.
That's the great thing about window cleaning....you can cut down your hours to suit as you age. I bumped into a local window cleaner the other day and he's 81 still going strong (on ladders too). Looks absolutely fantastic for his age. He became a window cleaner at 18 years of age (so 63 years shining). Loves his holidays and he doesn't plan on fully retiring until he's 90 now he says.🙂👍
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I think working past pension age because you choose to is totally different to having to work to pay bills, one is freedom and enjoyment the other is bleak.
Funny because i dont particularly like window cleaning, but if i retired tomorrow with enough money i probably would do a bit quite happily if i was able.
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You could just do 10 hours a week at £50 an hour.2 x 5 hour days per week.
£500 per week
£2000 a month
£24000 a year
This on top of your pension would be very welcome indeed.
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When you are young you have youth, vitality and surplus energy. As you get older all them accidents, bruises, falls and knocks catches up with your body and you feel it.
You don't want to be single going into retirement or the richest window cleaner going into heaven. It's about earning enough to pay the bills, save for a rainy day account and living a comfortable life. Time becomes more important and work less relevant It's finding a happy balance.
I receive an army pension, mortgage free, debt free and can choose to push work or take it easy. I like having the flexibility in this job.
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When you are young you have youth, vitality and surplus energy. As you get older all them accidents, bruises, falls and knocks catches up with your body and you feel it.
You don't want to be single going into retirement or the richest window cleaner going into heaven. It's about earning enough to pay the bills, save for a rainy day account and living a comfortable life. Time becomes more important and work less relevant It's finding a happy balance.
I receive an army pension, mortgage free, debt free and can choose to push work or take it easy. I like having the flexibility in this job.
that part about going into retirement single .... that is daunting. but thats what i am facing...
this time last year i would regularly discuss the future with my partner sian, with lots of exciting optiions .
sadly sian passed away suddenly in feb.
it was like some one had dropped a bomb on my life .
getting up and going to work has been the one thing that has been carrying me through my greif.......I am only 54 ... but those older customers that live on their own through loss that were once slowing me down because they liked a chat, have been so kind and understanding.....its taught me so much about life
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When you are young you have youth, vitality and surplus energy. As you get older all them accidents, bruises, falls and knocks catches up with your body and you feel it.
You don't want to be single going into retirement or the richest window cleaner going into heaven. It's about earning enough to pay the bills, save for a rainy day account and living a comfortable life. Time becomes more important and work less relevant It's finding a happy balance.
I receive an army pension, mortgage free, debt free and can choose to push work or take it easy. I like having the flexibility in this job.
that part about going into retirement single .... that is daunting. but thats what i am facing...
this time last year i would regularly discuss the future with my partner sian, with lots of exciting optiions .
sadly sian passed away suddenly in feb.
it was like some one had dropped a bomb on my life .
getting up and going to work has been the one thing that has been carrying me through my greif.......I am only 54 ... but those older customers that live on their own through loss that were once slowing me down because they liked a chat, have been so kind and understanding.....its taught me so much about life
Sorry to read about Sian, I feel for you dude. That's something for all of think about especially those who work on their own without much interaction with others. It's so important to get a hobby or interest outside of work that's more social.
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When you are young you have youth, vitality and surplus energy. As you get older all them accidents, bruises, falls and knocks catches up with your body and you feel it.
You don't want to be single going into retirement or the richest window cleaner going into heaven. It's about earning enough to pay the bills, save for a rainy day account and living a comfortable life. Time becomes more important and work less relevant It's finding a happy balance.
I receive an army pension, mortgage free, debt free and can choose to push work or take it easy. I like having the flexibility in this job.
You have the best of both worlds at the moment mate.
Health is the most important. Without that your screwed.
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I wouldn't retire fully i don't think. Maybe keep 1 to 2 short days worth of work a week until I drop.
Not even for just the money aspect. It would atleast break up your week with having something to do.
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When you are young you have youth, vitality and surplus energy. As you get older all them accidents, bruises, falls and knocks catches up with your body and you feel it.
You don't want to be single going into retirement or the richest window cleaner going into heaven. It's about earning enough to pay the bills, save for a rainy day account and living a comfortable life. Time becomes more important and work less relevant It's finding a happy balance.
I receive an army pension, mortgage free, debt free and can choose to push work or take it easy. I like having the flexibility in this job.
You have the best of both worlds at the moment mate.
Health is the most important. Without that your screwed.
Health is obviously more important than any amount of money.
Money is second after health though tbh.
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I see so many customers reach retirement or near retirement age and go on so many holidays with their partner making the most of time together. It's always sad when I come across someone who has recently lost their partner just as they were coming up to retirement and their whole life has changed in a day, all their plans, you can't help but feel for them.
I'm not in the best of health but I manage reasonably well and always put my partner and family priorities before work commitments. Don't want to be rich, just happy and content in life making the most of what I got as I know what it's like when someone has to look after you 24/7 when health isn't good (back in 2002).
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I am just 59 . Been window cleaning 44 years . Definitely finding body struggles with 5 day week now .. now wondering how much is needed in the pot? . . As someone said once you give up work it’s gone forever . Would like to gradually decrease . But with 8 years to retire . It’s a big quandary
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Problem with semi retirement is you still have the same overheads apart from fuel.
It makes me wonder if it's worth it sometimes.
How do you semi retired guys feel about it.
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Problem with semi retirement is you still have the same overheads apart from fuel.
It makes me wonder if it's worth it sometimes.
How do you semi retired guys feel about it.
Much less overheads.
Less wear and tear on the van, poles, reels etc. and as you say - fuel.
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You still have annual van costs: insurance, tax, mot, service, plus cost of buying new van when needed.
Also running the RO system, making sure to protect it from frost damage in winter etc.
Added to that in future there will be Making Tax Digital to deal with.
So yes, earning £500 a week for two short days sounds good, but it is not £500 profit. The less you turn over, the higher the proportionate costs of your overheads.
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You still have annual van costs: insurance, tax, mot, service, plus cost of buying new van when needed.
Also running the RO system, making sure to protect it from frost damage in winter etc.
Added to that in future there will be Making Tax Digital to deal with.
So yes, earning £500 a week for two short days sounds good, but it is not £500 profit. The less you turn over, the higher the proportionate costs of your overheads.
I beg to differ. My van is 13 years old on 85,000 miles from new and barring (another) prang or catastrophic failure it will last another 5 years. I could put a trailer behind my car rather than get another van - especially when my turnover drops below £2000 - but I won't as long as my van lasts.
Sure I'll get my oil and oil filter changed annually but why replace air and pollen filters if your mileage is less.
Less miles means less work for an MOT pass. Less wear on tyres and brakes.
My extremes used to get replaced every two years - now I get four.
RO lasts longer as less water used; same with resin and filters and if on a water meter.
The only constants are road tax, mot and insurance at about £1000 a year total. And if I stopped completely we would probably run two cars instead of a van and a car.
Not knocking on the door of higher rate tax mean earnings do not get taxed above 20%.
£500 a week is £26,000 turnover. Not to be sneezed at from two shorter days. Especially if it is cream low mileage work.
Making tax digital isn't necessary if turnover below £50k then £30k and only a few hundred to set up if that.
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Theres barely any overhead at all with window cleaning, especially at 2 days a week. You would have all the gear already so maybe a pole every few years is all you would have and water.
Unless you are planning to have no vehicle in retirement then running van isnt any or much more expensive that running a car.
It depends if you buy a brand new van on finance, pay a dealer to service it every year plus buying expensive tyres and paying for it fixing then yes it can be expensive.
Or you could have an old van and service it and fix most faults yourself, i got a set of 4 wheels off ebay for my old van not long ago for 50 quid with almost new tyres on.
Theres ways of being resourceful when you want to lower your outgoings
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Theres barely any overhead at all with window cleaning, especially at 2 days a week. You would have all the gear already so maybe a pole every few years is all you would have and water.
Unless you are planning to have no vehicle in retirement then running van isnt any or much more expensive that running a car.
It depends if you buy a brand new van on finance, pay a dealer to service it every year plus buying expensive tyres and paying for it fixing then yes it can be expensive.
Or you could have an old van and service it and fix most faults yourself, i got a set of 4 wheels off ebay for my old van not long ago for 50 quid with almost new tyres on.
Theres ways of being resourceful when you want to lower your outgoings
Actually, running a van can be cheaper than a car due to it being largely a dedicated work vehicle.
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You still have annual van costs: insurance, tax, mot, service, plus cost of buying new van when needed.
Also running the RO system, making sure to protect it from frost damage in winter etc.
Added to that in future there will be Making Tax Digital to deal with.
So yes, earning £500 a week for two short days sounds good, but it is not £500 profit. The less you turn over, the higher the proportionate costs of your overheads.
You could get rid of the van and get a car which is able to hold some barrels and a back pack if you were just 1 or 2 days a week. So that's the price of a van taken away already.
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If you won millions on the lottery would you carry on working too? Or is working after retirement age really about affordability?
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MTD is set to kick in at turnover of 20k. Starts at 50k, then 30k, then 20k.
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If you won millions on the lottery would you carry on working too? Or is working after retirement age really about affordability?
For me winning millions on the lottery is different from a 'normal' retirement.
It's more about social engagement and exercise to me.
I could get by - with no mortgage, live on state pension, property rental income (or selling property and using the proceeds) and private pension.
More so if I downsize or use the equity in my house.
Gradual reduction over 5 years works for me because I don't dislike my work.
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MTD is set to kick in at turnover of 20k. Starts at 50k, then 30k, then 20k.
But it's not rocket science. You basically have to submit 3 monthly earnings/expenses into bridging software for HMRC inspection 4 times a year then a final declaration at the end of the tax year. Yes it's more work but it won't take too much longer if you already use round software like cleaner planner for your round management
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MTD might not be so bad once you get used to it.
But you also have to store all receipts, paperwork etc in a digital format. For me at 61 and not being tech savvy, it is not something I look forward to.
My van is 20 years old so I expect to replace it in another couple of years if I decide to continue working.
I quite enjoy working so it is a strong possibility I will continue. I am tempted to live in a different part of the country though, so this would mean retiring if I move.
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MTD might not be so bad once you get used to it.
But you also have to store all receipts, paperwork etc in a digital format. For me at 61 and not being tech savvy, it is not something I look forward to.
My van is 20 years old so I expect to replace it in another couple of years if I decide to continue working.
I quite enjoy working so it is a strong possibility I will continue. I am tempted to live in a different part of the country though, so this would mean retiring if I move.
You don't suddenly stop learning something new once you get to 61 though do you?😄
You'll find it easier than you think once your familiar with it. I do agree it's going to be a pain at first though.
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I agree Daz, but I think it is stupid for the government to impose MTD. I am sure there are a lot of older self employed people like myself who will just not want to be bothered and either go cash in hand or more likely quit.
Just look at what happened yesterday with AWS. Having everything online and relying solely on data in a digital format, as hmrc is going to do, opens up a lot of potential problems.
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I agree Daz, but I think it is stupid for the government to impose MTD. I am sure there are a lot of older self employed people like myself who will just not want to be bothered and either go cash in hand or more likely quit.
Just look at what happened yesterday with AWS. Having everything online and relying solely on data in a digital format, as hmrc is going to do, opens up a lot of potential problems.
I agree with the cash in hand knock on effect. Small businesses of all sorts who wish to remain small or part time around the 20k cut off are
bound to try and keep declared turnover under the threshold..