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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Brian Nunn on September 29, 2008, 08:43:29 am

Title: Declaring takings
Post by: Brian Nunn on September 29, 2008, 08:43:29 am
What percentage of your takings are cash?

Do you declare 100% of your cash taking to HMRC?

Or do you declare 3 and keep one?
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: ok cleaning on September 29, 2008, 08:54:48 am
declare it all
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Bobs Window Cleaning on September 29, 2008, 09:17:58 am
Hey brian

What a great post :-* Been waiting for someone to ask this for ages.

I earn gazzilions and keep it all under my bed.


Bob
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: mlscontractcleaner on September 29, 2008, 09:33:12 am
Who on here is going to admit to being dishonest with their tax returns.

Me personally am the most honest person I know and declare 100% of my takings, even adding a bit to help with the tax man's Christmas party  ;D!!
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: seandyer2003 on September 29, 2008, 09:48:59 am
hahaha everyone on here is far too worried about talking about tax, earnings etc, which leads me to believe they are all keeping a bit under the matress :) If you take alot of cash its far too easy !! But the only thing i would say is make sure you keep the tax man happy or you will have them looking closer and then its not so funny!
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: trike on September 29, 2008, 10:31:21 am
yes every penny,keep all reciepts even if it for fairy liquid,my wife is an accountant,very handy to have
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Nathanael Jones on September 29, 2008, 01:25:17 pm
What percentage of your takings are cash?

Do you declare 100% of your cash taking to HMRC?

Or do you declare 3 and keep one?

TAX MAN ALERT!!!!!

:)
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: gerard mcmanus on September 29, 2008, 01:34:50 pm
best not take put anything straight in your pocket so to speak, as you will have higher petrol usage etc than espected by your declared sales and could highlight that you are cooking the books. Also if you make any record off it and dont declare it you could get caught.

You lie once you might get away with it, but too many lies and your forget what the truth is, and thats when you'll be sniffed out.

Declare it all, seriously.

Gerard  :)
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: pingu on September 29, 2008, 04:26:39 pm
Easier to delare it all and sleep well knowing that I 'should' not have any issues with the taxman...

Plus I am a forienger in another country and it is only right that I pay my full dues.

Dave.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: MNWC on September 29, 2008, 04:29:15 pm
Quote
Plus I am a forienger in another country and it is only right that I pay my full dues.

a shame no one else feels like that here then  >:(
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Dean Aspects on September 29, 2008, 04:30:51 pm
If i ever do something wrong i always get caught so i declare everything even to the wife who is way scarier than the tax man
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: jaykie on September 29, 2008, 04:55:00 pm
If you new someone who was earning 3.5k a month and declaring nothing who do you report them too. Plus is there anything else they can get done for as they dont have insurance, employees insurance and they dont pay tax either.

Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Tosh on September 29, 2008, 05:01:36 pm
To be honest, I'm not that honest, but I don't truly know a window cleaner who is!

I know a few who say they're 'tax ligititimate', but after having knowing them for a few years; I know this isn't the whole truth.

Do you really declare everything?  Tips?  What do you do if you're given an expensive bottle of whisky as a tip (which has happened to me).  Do you work out the value of it and declare that?

And what about using a work vehicle for private purposes, yet not taking that into account when working out your expenses.

I also work my turnover out as the amount I've cleaned that day; not the amount of money I've received (I find that easier).  But I know many, if not most window cleaners work their turnover as the amount of money they've actually received that day; and if they've bought lunch from their turnover, well that get missed from the total.

Is anyone here really 'whiter-that-white'?

I honestly doubt it, though I bet some claim that they are.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: s.w.c on September 29, 2008, 05:25:33 pm
yea ok but i only earn 3bob an 4 shillings :'( :'(
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: trike on September 29, 2008, 05:35:24 pm
please dont tar everyone with the same brush,if you are not honest then so be it,dont make yourself feel better saying everyone is the same,because there not.drink the whiskey thats a prezie.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: jaykie on September 29, 2008, 05:47:59 pm
calm down calm down
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: seandyer2003 on September 29, 2008, 07:03:39 pm
calm down calm down

hehe, i watched lock stock and two smoking barrells earlier whilst skiving from rain, and can remember them two scousers haha
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: matt on September 29, 2008, 08:10:33 pm
i tell you what we havent had for a while



 a poll with how much do you earn on it,



Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: s.w.c on September 29, 2008, 08:12:08 pm
forget lock stock watch a film called rise of the foot soldier based on a chaps real life and yes it all happened like that
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: trike on September 29, 2008, 08:21:23 pm
CAN WE GET BACK ONTO TOPIC
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: DaveG on September 29, 2008, 08:32:13 pm
If i ever do something wrong i always get caught so i declare everything even to the wife who is way scarier than the tax man

And i thought i had worries!!!!! lolol ;D
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Niall McAllister on September 29, 2008, 08:41:32 pm
why would you not declare your earnings?
you earn money, you pay tax!
anyone that doesn't pay their full share it a thief and a waste of space.
window cleaner or anyone else.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: ps outthere on September 29, 2008, 09:20:26 pm
How do I turn my business into an off shore business?  ;D
There are a lot of very wealthy people that use our governments legitimate tax rules. >:(
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: seandyer2003 on September 29, 2008, 09:50:21 pm
seen it, based on  them essex shooting, film called essex boys or something like that on same story...
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: trike on September 29, 2008, 10:15:38 pm
and after you declare takings dont forget your big tax return each year,like mine :P :P
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Sir Squeaky on September 30, 2008, 08:16:54 am
i tell you what we havent had for a while



 a poll with how much do you earn on it,




;D
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Pole 2 Pole on September 30, 2008, 08:27:57 am
why would you not declare your earnings?
you earn money, you pay tax!
anyone that doesn't pay their full share it a thief and a waste of space.
window cleaner or anyone else.
A tad harsh Niall, don't ya think? If that's the case then Parliament is full of people that are thieves and a waste of space. OK point taken  ;D Seriously though, i think that comment was slightly over the top fella. If everyone of us declared 95% of what we earnt, i personally wouldn't have a problem with it as the workin class and lower middle classes are shafted left,right and center with absolutely no help whatsoever from any of Her Majestys organisations. I wouldn't lose a moments sleep if i done a one off job for a fiver and put it towards the xmas fund. Not that i'd ever dream of it, mind  ;)
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: jeff1 on September 30, 2008, 12:26:01 pm
To be honest, I'm not that honest, but I don't truly know a window cleaner who is!

I know a few who say they're 'tax ligititimate', but after having knowing them for a few years; I know this isn't the whole truth.

Do you really declare everything?  Tips?  What do you do if you're given an expensive bottle of whisky as a tip (which has happened to me).  Do you work out the value of it and declare that?

And what about using a work vehicle for private purposes, yet not taking that into account when working out your expenses.

I also work my turnover out as the amount I've cleaned that day; not the amount of money I've received (I find that easier).  But I know many, if not most window cleaners work their turnover as the amount of money they've actually received that day; and if they've bought lunch from their turnover, well that get missed from the total.

Is anyone here really 'whiter-that-white'?

I honestly doubt it, though I bet some claim that they are.
Spot on Tosh
Why on earth do we employ accountants? they are employed  by us, Not only to do our tax returns but to get us the best deal and save us money and if that includes loosing a few bob here and there, then who amongst us says ''No don't do that I want to pay my tax on it''

Regarding gifts and tips from customers then all this should be declared to the tax man and tax's should be paid on it, the tax man will give you an average of what you should pay on any gift.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: trike on September 30, 2008, 02:54:06 pm
anyone need an accountant my wifes the best
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Sir Squeaky on September 30, 2008, 03:04:52 pm
Regarding gifts and tips from customers then all this should be declared to the tax man and tax's should be paid on it, the tax man will give you an average of what you should pay on any gift.
A gift's a gift.
You're allowed up to something like £2000 a year gifts.

If anyone gives some of their gifts or tips to the taxman they want their head read.
Or they're liars...which is most likely when this subject comes up... ::)
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Ian_Giles on September 30, 2008, 03:16:54 pm
My god there are some honest people on here!

I think the tax man is fully aware that people in jobs like ours that handle plenty of cash don't always declare 100% of it, but we are small potatoes, the average window cleaner banks less than 20k per year.
Most of us bank most of our money, we have to, we won't get by otherwise.

do you really think the tax man is that stupid?

If you assume that most of us are pretty honest - and most of us are - then if the tax man decides to investigate one of us he might only find a few hundred quids worth of discrepancies, and much time and effort will have gone into doing so.
Far better in investigate businesses who aren't such pipsqueaks.
They will view small businesses as those who employ 30 or 40 people, probably all of which earn more than the average window cleaner banks in an entire year! Their time and effort chasing down tax dodgers of this size (and of course far larger) represents a far better return for their time and effort, way better than chasing down the many thousands of individual window cleaners, gardeners, hair dressers, decorators and the like.
They could probably pull almost any one of our files and find discrepancies if they wanted to...

Ian
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: jeff1 on September 30, 2008, 03:17:39 pm
You don't give any of your gifts to the tax man your supposed to declare every gift you get, so that he can charge you a percentage of there value.

I tell the taxman I do not except gifts or tips from my customers, I prefer to keep it strictly on a business level, take from that what you must ;)
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: steven ainger on September 30, 2008, 03:29:08 pm
i will be declaring evey single penny i earnt today.....................nothing :'(
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Tosh on September 30, 2008, 04:17:27 pm
anyone that doesn't pay their full share it a thief and a waste of space.
window cleaner or anyone else.

Prince Charles has come under scrutiny for the past few years for tax avoidance; fortunately he has the money to pay top accountants to cover his dodgy tracks.

If our First-In-Line-For-Head-Of-State can do it; then so can we.  Oh, and the Queen has only been paying income tax for about the past 20 years!

Then if you look at the Blairs; there's been a few dodgy housing deals done in amassing their multi-million pound portfollio of property.

I bet if I looked through any window cleaner's books, thoroughly, and compared them with phone bills, bank statements and the like, I would find anomalies.

The other day I saw Squeaky driving his Missis and child in his work van; I know they have a private car; so I hope Squeaks takes the mileage into consideration for using his work vehicle for private purposes and subtracts a fair amount from his vehicle expenses.

I say again; non of us are 'whiter-than-white', though admitedly, I bet some kick-the-bottom out of it.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Sir Squeaky on September 30, 2008, 06:13:00 pm
The other day I saw Squeaky driving his Missis and child in his work van; I know they have a private car; so I hope Squeaks takes the mileage into consideration for using his work vehicle for private purposes and subtracts a fair amount from his vehicle expenses.
No, can't have been me.
There's loads of van's like mine, all with yellow ducks on... ;D
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: seandyer2003 on September 30, 2008, 06:23:01 pm
The other day I saw Squeaky driving his Missis and child in his work van; I know they have a private car; so I hope Squeaks takes the mileage into consideration for using his work vehicle for private purposes and subtracts a fair amount from his vehicle expenses.
No, can't have been me.
There's loads of van's like mine, all with yellow ducks on... ;D

Yellow ducks??
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: alanwilson on September 30, 2008, 06:31:58 pm
who gave the tax man the right to take away our money?

think about it

we take money from customers - lets say £10 - the customer likely had to earn £14 to get that £10 note after paying tax.  We now have to pay another £3 in tax on the money we received from the customer who had already paid tax on it.  

£7 left from £14

lets say we buy £7 of diesel (just an example)

from that £7, £4 immediately goes in tax.

£3 left

the fuel company makes £2.50 from this in profit and pays tax @ 40%

fuel company pays £1.82 in tax.

So from an initial £14 the government has taken £12.82 in tax.

Thats the bottom line, we are the most highly taxed nation I know of.

So for those who don't pay tax - well they already are.

except we have to foot the bill for the extra the don't pay.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Moderator David@stives on September 30, 2008, 06:42:57 pm
There was a program on last night , and compared to other nations we arent doing that bad, we were taxed more in the thatcher years believe or not.

Figures from The Institute for Fiscal Studies show that the Thatcher government was the heaviest taxer in the last 30 years, with total tax rate of GDP hitting 46 per cent at one point. This was later reduced to 35.8 per cent, but the average from 1979 to 1997 was 40.8 per cent.  New Labour’s highest rate in its 11 years of government has been 39.4 per cent and its lowest when it started was 37.1 per cent.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Moderator David@stives on September 30, 2008, 06:49:42 pm
Overall, UK taxpayers face a relatively low tax burden by world standards. The overall burden on taxpayers, as measured by the OECD is, below the OECD average and well below the highs reached in the 1980s.

The Government set out in its 1997 Statement of Intent on environmental taxation that it would shift the burden of taxation from 'goods' (such as employment) to 'bads' (such as pollution) e.g. climate change levy was accompanied by 0.3 percentage point cut in employers' NICs contributions.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Tosh on September 30, 2008, 06:53:31 pm
Dave,

If you're right, how is it that I'm taking on better paying work, but never seem to feel financially better off for doing it?

Last week I put £60 in my car and now my tank is almost empty!
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Moderator David@stives on September 30, 2008, 06:56:52 pm
Tosh you now have a mortgage and a richer lifestyle ie dinner parties and a taste for womens lingerie
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: jeff1 on September 30, 2008, 06:59:45 pm
Tosh you now have a mortgage and a richer lifestyle ie dinner parties and a taste for womens lingerie
LMAO ;D
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: alanwilson on September 30, 2008, 07:08:34 pm
dave fiscal studies are a pile of b*l*s
I have broken down what goes in tax - its plain for all to see.

Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: pjulk on September 30, 2008, 07:12:59 pm
I declare all mine as i get hardly any cash most of mine is paid by cheques or bacs.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Sir Squeaky on September 30, 2008, 07:41:14 pm
Dave,

If you're right, how is it that I'm taking on better paying work, but never seem to feel financially better off for doing it?

Last week I put £60 in my car and now my tank is almost empty!
Same here.

I'm turning over quite a bit more on average lately, but I don't seem to have lots of spare cash like I used to. >:(
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Pole 2 Pole on September 30, 2008, 07:55:09 pm
Have ya got kids Squeaks??? If so, then there's ya answer. I know that's where the money I "used" to have goes.........Dinner money, school trips.......I've even recently signed up a D/D with my eldest's school for £25 a month to "help out" with "this and that". Football subs, uniforms, etc etc...Swallowing up all my spending money no end. Not to mention mobile phones and the magical vanishing credit that only lasts a couple of days. Bloody condom would have only cost a quid  ::)
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Moderator David@stives on September 30, 2008, 07:58:28 pm
Doom and gloom and more doom and gloom.

I cant believe window cleaners moaning about money, one minute its £200 a day then the next saying i cant afford to eat.

Come on !!!!  If you cant make ends meet window cleaning are you really in the right job !!!!!!
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Pole 2 Pole on September 30, 2008, 08:53:31 pm
That's a bit uncalled for Dave.......we're on the brink of a precapice(hope that's spelt right) and people are feeling, not the pinch, but a whacking great smack in the gob with food bills, diesel increases, tax increases, council tax increases.......want me to go on??? I thank God i window clean cos if i didn't i'd have gone under a long time ago, as many are. I earn a bloody good whack shining, but when earning a bloody good whack aint enough anymore, there's something wrong. Good for you if you're up there earning a bloody fortune window cleaning, but the majority on here aint quite in your league as far as income is concerned and to incinuate that we're just bleating on is pretty inconsiderate, but hey, ya entitled to your opinion, but so am i  ;)
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Sir Squeaky on September 30, 2008, 09:01:25 pm
That's a bit uncalled for Dave.......we're on the brink of a precapice(hope that's spelt right) and people are feeling, not the pinch, but a whacking great smack in the gob with food bills, diesel increases, tax increases, council tax increases.......want me to go on??? I thank God i window clean cos if i didn't i'd have gone under a long time ago, as many are. I earn a bloody good whack shining, but when earning a bloody good whack aint enough anymore, there's something wrong. Good for you if you're up there earning a bloody fortune window cleaning, but the majority on here aint quite in your league as far as income is concerned and to incinuate that we're just bleating on is pretty inconsiderate, but hey, ya entitled to your opinion, but so am i  ;)
Really well said mate.
Couldn't have put it better.

Not necessarily towards Dave, but to the others who talk the same.
Most of which probably earn closer to my money than Dave's. ::)
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Moderator David@stives on September 30, 2008, 09:05:29 pm
I have never mentioned my earnings, I have to manage my money the same as anyone else.

I havent noticed any increase in my personal expenditure, my mortgage is the same, which is my biggest expense, some things like fuel and food have gone up, but it doesnt equate to doom and gloom yet.

Most people i know still can afford there booze and fAgs and there 5 take aways a week as well as a couple of nights out.

A few years ago i was destitute not a penny to my name, instead of moaning about it , i saw an opportunity in window cleaning and went at it, blood sweat and tears, made loads of sacrifices along the way investing in my business.

No one has ever given me a penny, not as a gift or anything in fact for my 21st i got a tenner off my parents, I dont need anyone to tell me how bad things can be,i have been there got the t-shirt.

This isnt a rehersal this is the real thing, just get out there the worlds your oyster, just forget the hard done to attitude or else you will get nowhere.

If i got off my backside and done it, anyone can do it.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Pole 2 Pole on September 30, 2008, 09:29:34 pm
Cheers Squeaks and taking my hat off to Dave for getting out there and doing it. If half the population done the same this country would be in a much better shape. BUT the truth remains(in my case) that i do a 5 day week for 2 weeks and a six day week for the other two. I've never claimed a penny from the state and i've never got my hands on a penny that i haven't earnt. But when at the end of a bloody hard working week, you're pretty much in the same boat as you were the Friday before, there's something wrong. OK OK i dooo go out once a week with the family for a meal, but christ, why shouldn't i?
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Moderator David@stives on September 30, 2008, 10:21:57 pm
Pole2 pole

If you are working as hard as you say you are, then you wont struggle for long, you will be one of lifes winners.

I dont take a big wage all my profits go back in reinvesting for the future i now have 3 wfp pole vans and am looking at other options, When i take on staff it is always at the expense of my own personal wage.

Just this last 3 months i have bought a round of another window cleaner, bought another van took on 2 staff and £7'000 on wfp equipment , coupled together with major cash flow problems and vat and all other bills, i am just about keeping my head above water, but when things start getting to tight i just get out there and drag more work in.

One thing i wont do is moan about it i will just get on with it and work my way out of each and every hole as it occurs.



Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Pole 2 Pole on September 30, 2008, 10:28:01 pm
I will be Dave, cos if going to work gets me out this bloody house every day,i'll be just fine  ;D I guess i'll never be rolling in it, cos i'm a one man band and i like it that way. I know where i stand and if it ever goes belly up,well,i'll only have myself to blame. But in the meantime.....to infinity and beyond  ;)
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: peter holley on September 30, 2008, 10:36:44 pm
why would you not declare your earnings?
you earn money, you pay tax!
anyone that doesn't pay their full share it a thief and a waste of space.
window cleaner or anyone else.

very good :D you need to work harder :-X
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: seandyer2003 on September 30, 2008, 10:42:52 pm
Pole2 pole

If you are working as hard as you say you are, then you wont struggle for long, you will be one of lifes winners.

I dont take a big wage all my profits go back in reinvesting for the future i now have 3 wfp pole vans and am looking at other options, When i take on staff it is always at the expense of my own personal wage.

Just this last 3 months i have bought a round of another window cleaner, bought another van took on 2 staff and £7'000 on wfp equipment , coupled together with major cash flow problems and vat and all other bills, i am just about keeping my head above water, but when things start getting to tight i just get out there and drag more work in.

One thing i wont do is moan about it i will just get on with it and work my way out of each and every hole as it occurs.





Is it worth it if that is the case though dave? you must be making something otherwise why bother? I know a chap who has a pretty big contract cleaning company i used to work for him, but he never has any money, drives an old punto and rents a crappy house unless hes just a blagger, but i dont think so :) Not trying to offend you chap, just that you must be doing well otherwise you wouldnt be bothering, but from your post it sounds like you not making money! Hope that makes sense...
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: geefree on September 30, 2008, 11:13:49 pm
i find it hard to believe you are keeping your head just above water.... i want to , eventually employ....

you say you are have bought more work.... ... and if things get worse you will go out there and get more work.... why?.... you will have to employ someone to do it !...

cutting your profits and back to square one.

if you are keeping your head above water..just, why not cut your overheads... turn a full timer into part timer.... or do more yoiur self.

i know you have to speculate to accumalate... and i admire your achievements, , so sorry if this sounds naive or like i know... i dont!.....

but if you are buying work like that, employing to do the work, yet only keeping your head above water... then  going out and getting more , if things dont go right...then my ambitions for employing are severly dented tonight, surely you get to a point, where you are bursting at the seams.. employ a part timer,,, then increase your workload , turn the guy...( or someone else) into a full timer... and so on.

Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Sir Squeaky on September 30, 2008, 11:21:57 pm
I didn't get that bit Dave. ???

If you're just keeping your head above water then you're no better off than me.

But I don't have the staff, complicated taxes, equipment and vans to maintain...etc...
I just go to work, then come home and charge the battery.

If that's the case what's going wrong?
Surely you must do better than that, or why bother? ???
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: AuRavelling79 on September 30, 2008, 11:34:20 pm
It's amazing what you can save if you think before you spend.

Some one above said he goes out for a meal once a week with his family - now I don't know if he means £30 at Mc Donalds, £100 at a Harvester or £200 slap up meal, but... let's go with the middle option.

If he cut that back to twice a month and buys fish and chips he could save £200 a month. That will finance a van, or a good holiday, or pay for all the extra gas, leccy and diesel costs, or the shopping bill or go towards retirement or savings.

I don't mean to lecture but It's the way I am (ask my kids! ;D)

Yes, let's be a bit more careful but get real - this ain't the depression of 30's USA or Germany in the early 20's.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Moderator David@stives on October 01, 2008, 12:14:59 am
Its called investing for the future.

I reinvest and take little profit, it is the same in any business in growth stage, if i wanted i could cash in now and stop growing and reap some profits, without sacrifices you wont grow.

My Role has changed from window cleaner to office based manager, that in itself takes a great deal of investment, i intend to carry on to the next stge where i get a manager to do the managing for me then my role will be business owner and whatever other role i choose to take.

You can treat window cleaning 2 ways , either as a job or as a business.

Nothing going wrong just all part of the bigger plan.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: AuRavelling79 on October 01, 2008, 07:32:11 am
Its called investing for the future.

I reinvest and take little profit, it is the same in any business in growth stage, if i wanted i could cash in now and stop growing and reap some profits, without sacrifices you wont grow.

My Role has changed from window cleaner to office based manager, that in itself takes a great deal of investment, i intend to carry on to the next stge where i get a manager to do the managing for me then my role will be business owner and whatever other role i choose to take.

You can treat window cleaning 2 ways , either as a job or as a business.

Nothing going wrong just all part of the bigger plan.

Then you can sell it Dave! Then get bored with all that travel and those fast cars and get your self a little bit of part time window cleaning to get you out the house twice a week and keep active! ;D
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Pole 2 Pole on October 01, 2008, 07:45:45 am
It's amazing what you can save if you think before you spend.

Some one above said he goes out for a meal once a week with his family - now I don't know if he means £30 at Mc Donalds, £100 at a Harvester or £200 slap up meal, but... let's go with the middle option.

If he cut that back to twice a month and buys fish and chips he could save £200 a month. That will finance a van, or a good holiday, or pay for all the extra gas, leccy and diesel costs, or the shopping bill or go towards retirement or savings.

I don't mean to lecture but It's the way I am (ask my kids! ;D)

Yes, let's be a bit more careful but get real - this ain't the depression of 30's USA or Germany in the early 20's.
That man would be me Malc,lol. I had to read you post a couple of times so that i don't get your statistics right  ;) From what you said,takin the middle option....i spend £400 a month at the Harvester????? Behave  ::) £30 nearly every time and to be honest, buying 4 portions of Fish n Chips where i come from would nearly come to that. More in some places. Oh to live up North  ;D
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Moderator David@stives on October 01, 2008, 08:09:38 am
I think this is what i am aiming for##

Retirement Story
A fishing boat was docked in a tiny coastal village south of the border. An American tourist complimented the local fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them. "Not very long", answered the fisherman. "Then why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American. The man said that his small catch was enough for his family. The American asked, "What do you do with the rest of your time?" The fisherman replied, "I sleep late, play with my children, catch a few fish, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar and sing a few songs. I have fun…"

The American interrupted, "Hey, I have an MBA from Duke and I can help you. Start by fishing longer every day and selling the extra fish you catch then you can buy a bigger boat. The larger boat will bring in more money and you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet. Instead of selling to a middleman, you can sell directly to the processing plants. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, LA or New York City! There you can direct your enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the fisherman. "20-25 years", replied the American. "And after that?" asked the fisherman. "That's when it gets really interesting", answered the American, smiling. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!" "Millions? Really? And after that?" asked the fisherman.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny coastal village, sleep late, play with your grandchildren, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and playing the guitar with your friends!"

Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: seandyer2003 on October 01, 2008, 10:07:45 am
I dont think you have got the moral of that story dave mate :) the point is why bother getting rich when happiness comes from spending time with your family etc, and the fisherman was already doing that so why build an empire and waste 30-40 years when he was already doing the things people retire for.....but the world being the way it is everyone is out to get rich, doesnt bring happiness though but makes life more comfortable definitely but money alone wont make you happy you need more in life than that, - that is a bit philosophical eh :) but that is the moral! Not that there is anything wrong with building up your business mate :)
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Moderator David@stives on October 01, 2008, 10:33:21 am
I have got the moral, it was more a micky take of myself and all the other headless chickens out there.

The only reason i employ is so i dont have to get my own hands dirty, nothing more nothing less, and if i can make a few bob on the way i will be happy.

onwards and upwards as they say
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 01, 2008, 03:17:58 pm
The only reason i employ is so i dont have to get my own hands dirty, nothing more nothing less, and if i can make a few bob on the way i will be happy.
So in a roundabout way, you're working hard now so you can be lazy later!

I like that idea... ;D
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Moderator David@stives on October 01, 2008, 03:40:12 pm
yes thats it

I was talking to a window cleaning mate yesterday who has got a hugely successful company employing 20 staff, he told me he has only drawn £20k in the last 19 years, almost every penny has gone back in building his business
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 01, 2008, 04:48:59 pm
A great idea, and I'd love to invest it back in.

I'd love to spend:
£200 on a pda.(maybe another £400 on a laptop).
£200+ on advertising.
£200-400 on new poles and various equipment.
£100+ on work clothes.
etc...etc...etc...

Trouble is, after covering all my bills and a grasping missus there's rarely more than 50 quid left over! >:(

Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Tosh on October 03, 2008, 08:57:05 am
A great idea, and I'd love to invest it back in.

I'd love to spend:
£200 on a pda.(maybe another £400 on a laptop).
£200+ on advertising.
£200-400 on new poles and various equipment.
£100+ on work clothes.
etc...etc...etc...

Trouble is, after covering all my bills and a grasping missus there's rarely more than 50 quid left over! >:(


I reckon you don't need the pda, laptop or some of the new equipment.

Advertising and work clothes should be your priority.
Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: matt on October 03, 2008, 11:28:40 am
I think this is what i am aiming for##

Retirement Story
A fishing boat was docked in a tiny coastal village south of the border. An American tourist complimented the local fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them. "Not very long", answered the fisherman. "Then why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American. The man said that his small catch was enough for his family. The American asked, "What do you do with the rest of your time?" The fisherman replied, "I sleep late, play with my children, catch a few fish, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar and sing a few songs. I have fun…"

The American interrupted, "Hey, I have an MBA from Duke and I can help you. Start by fishing longer every day and selling the extra fish you catch then you can buy a bigger boat. The larger boat will bring in more money and you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet. Instead of selling to a middleman, you can sell directly to the processing plants. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, LA or New York City! There you can direct your enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the fisherman. "20-25 years", replied the American. "And after that?" asked the fisherman. "That's when it gets really interesting", answered the American, smiling. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!" "Millions? Really? And after that?" asked the fisherman.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny coastal village, sleep late, play with your grandchildren, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and playing the guitar with your friends!"



i had forgotten that story ;) thanks dave



Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: matt on October 03, 2008, 11:30:43 am
A great idea, and I'd love to invest it back in.

I'd love to spend:
£200 on a pda.(maybe another £400 on a laptop).
£200+ on advertising.
£200-400 on new poles and various equipment.
£100+ on work clothes.
etc...etc...etc...

Trouble is, after covering all my bills and a grasping missus there's rarely more than 50 quid left over! >:(



funny enough rog, im the other way around, ive got a few quid i would love to invest in my biz, ive just ordered a tank for the van, after that im stumped on what i would spend it on, i really am struggling to find something

Title: Re: Declaring takings
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 03, 2008, 12:12:43 pm
A great idea, and I'd love to invest it back in.

I'd love to spend:
£200 on a pda.(maybe another £400 on a laptop).
£200+ on advertising.
£200-400 on new poles and various equipment.
£100+ on work clothes.
etc...etc...etc...

Trouble is, after covering all my bills and a grasping missus there's rarely more than 50 quid left over! >:(



funny enough rog, im the other way around, ive got a few quid i would love to invest in my biz, ive just ordered a tank for the van, after that im stumped on what i would spend it on, i really am struggling to find something


Put it aside for your tax bill.
That's what I'd do.

I'm going to get asked for hundreds in a few months, and I've got sod all.