Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: sparklebright on September 22, 2009, 05:09:30 pm

Title: How old is too old?
Post by: sparklebright on September 22, 2009, 05:09:30 pm
I started window cleaning back 2003 when I was nearly 32. WFP almost from the start.
I've been wondering,
How old do you lot think you'll be when you can't do it anymore, or won't want to?
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: elite mike on September 22, 2009, 05:17:12 pm
got a mate in town called dave he will be 71 this year  8)

and he still does all his trad

wish i had his energy and ime 53 ::)
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on September 22, 2009, 05:31:21 pm
Ask Dai!  ;D
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: weetot on September 22, 2009, 05:33:30 pm
Done this since age of 19, now 45 and sometimes feel well past it, people reckon its a young persons game, i,m stating to agree.

OK I've had me whinge. >:(
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: Mike_G on September 22, 2009, 05:38:27 pm
Cant see why with wfp you cannot go on for a long long time. I know a few window cleaners who are well past 70 and still going, trad only and ground floor only but still going
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: EZclean on September 22, 2009, 05:50:08 pm
you should see the flat cap brigade that do the shops in halifax.
pointer and a broom handle, one bloke looks about 80
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: john tomkins on September 22, 2009, 05:51:31 pm
Probably those past 70 are forced to do it for the money?

How many of us will be comfortably off in our 70s?

Gotta admit I don't put into a pension so i'll probably be doing it till I drop :-\
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: Mike_G on September 22, 2009, 05:54:18 pm
Both the guys I know could have retired years ago but chose to carry on because they enjoy it.
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: elite mike on September 22, 2009, 05:56:09 pm
Probably those past 70 are forced to do it for the money?

How many of us will be comfortably off in our 70s?

Gotta admit I don't put into a pension so i'll probably be doing it till I drop :-\

pensions are a complete waste of money,
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: JSMC on September 22, 2009, 05:59:52 pm
guy round here was doing it into his 70's. he looked well fit and healthy. fair play to them i say. Personally i dont want to retire and be sat about all day. I would rather keep my self a few easy houses or shops and ge t alittle bit of cash each week and also keep myself active that is my plan
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: daniel worgan on September 22, 2009, 06:19:49 pm
Make sure though that you declare your income so they can deduct it off the crappy state pension that most wc's will probably end up with  :(
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: Alex Gardiner on September 22, 2009, 06:21:56 pm
My Dad is 63 and has been window cleaning for 30 years. He can still outwork most of his young subbies.

A friend of the family who died a few years back, window cleaned from leaving school on and off until his death at the age of 80. This was all done traditional and he carried on after the age of 70 - just one day a week as he could earn more in that one day than the rest of his pensions. Interesting as well is that he was a third generation window cleaner (Grandfather and Father both were window cleaners in Plymouth).
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: Jeff Brimble on September 22, 2009, 06:35:16 pm
Never say never ! This guy is a Gent.
Alan Forrest, 81+
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news-video/Fylde39s-39oldest39-window-cleaner39s-a.3710134.jp
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: sparklebright on September 22, 2009, 06:42:28 pm
Very comforting!  ;D

I like what I do, and could always cut back when I get older.
In fact I might start cutting back next week  ;D
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: dave.e on September 22, 2009, 07:07:57 pm
you know what they say once a window cleaner always a window cleaner and i will be doing this till i can not walk anymore and i am now 42 so hope there will be some good years left in me yet. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: weetot on September 22, 2009, 07:11:53 pm
Make sure though that you declare your income so they can deduct it off the crappy state pension that most wc's will probably end up with  :(

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: Jeff Brimble on September 22, 2009, 07:14:21 pm
If your getting flat feet and hot knees, get a wfp system- soon . Get one any way you wont fall off a pole !
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: clean on September 22, 2009, 07:17:22 pm
If your getting flat feet and hot knees, get a wfp system- soon . Get one any way you wont fall off a pole !

"you wont fall off a pole !"

You may do if if he gives you a shoulder ride  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
PK
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: Jeff Brimble on September 22, 2009, 07:19:54 pm
glad some of you are awake  ;D
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: kenaltobelli on September 22, 2009, 07:28:00 pm
john tomkins ive got two pensions both not worth a light  not likley to be worth owt
  when it comes time i plan on working till i say sod it but just trim back to half days
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: Ian Lancaster on September 22, 2009, 07:28:17 pm
Probably those past 70 are forced to do it for the money?

How many of us will be comfortably off in our 70s?

Gotta admit I don't put into a pension so i'll probably be doing it till I drop :-\

pensions are a complete waste of money,

65 in a couple of months time ;D

Been out today and done £180 (took it a bit easy - I'm not as young as I used to be)

Two jobs trad and three WFP.

Pensions:  I've been paying in to one for 25 years.  It will take me until I'm 86 just to get back the money I've put in >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

DON'T pay into a private pension, it's a total CON  Put your money in a high interest savings account, or government bonds, or even stuff it under the mattress,  but I repeat:

PRIVATE PENSIONS ARE A TOTAL CON, YOU WILL NEVER GET BACK WHAT YOU PUT INTO THEM

I wish I had done something like that 25 years ago, at least I would have had £26,000 to spend when I retire!!

As it is I shall get £20 a week guaranteed for life, but it I snuff it a week after I retire they keep the lot >:( >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: mark dew on September 22, 2009, 07:44:17 pm
I hope i am still cleaning the odd window when i am 70.
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: clean on September 22, 2009, 07:46:20 pm
I hope i am still cleaning the odd window when i am 70.

What odd windows do you clean now, most i clean are square or rectangle  ;D  ;D
PK
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: weetot on September 22, 2009, 07:47:00 pm
Probably those past 70 are forced to do it for the money?

How many of us will be comfortably off in our 70s?

Gotta admit I don't put into a pension so i'll probably be doing it till I drop :-\

pensions are a complete waste of money,

65 in a couple of months time ;D

Been out today and done £180 (took it a bit easy - I'm not as young as I used to be)

Two jobs trad and three WFP.

Pensions:  I've been paying in to one for 25 years.  It will take me until I'm 86 just to get back the money I've put in >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

DON'T pay into a private pension, it's a total CON  Put your money in a high interest savings account, or government bonds, or even stuff it under the mattress,  but I repeat:

PRIVATE PENSIONS ARE A TOTAL CON, YOU WILL NEVER GET BACK WHAT YOU PUT INTO THEM

I wish I had done something like that 25 years ago, at least I would have had £26,000 to spend when I retire!!

As it is I shall get £20 a week guaranteed for life, but it I snuff it a week after I retire they keep the lot >:( >:( >:( >:(

Spot on..........................absolutely, spot on ;)
Title: Re: How old is too old?
Post by: mark dew on September 22, 2009, 07:48:49 pm
I hope i am still cleaning the odd window when i am 70.

What odd windows do you clean now, most i clean are square or rectangle  ;D  ;D
PK

portholes.  :)