[Shrek]

I’m so glad I don’t lease anything or have any large bills!

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Tescos now issued notices to their staff to inform Police (if stopped) they are essential workers going to work and detailing their shift times. Thats where we are headed, can't see them doing that for fun.

It's just their due diligence in case it happens.   

[AuRavelling79]

"March 27, 2020, 08:30:42 pm »
I closed on Tuesday and felt it right to shut but as I read the advice from the government I can see the guidance to work as well if you aren't specifically shut down.

I have two opposing feelings...  One is to stay at home and show solidarity with that over-arching view and two... to work and not be an unnecessary financial drain on the country's coffers.

I am thinking of returning to work next week as I believe that 75% of my round can be done with no risk to my customers but if deaths and an increasing number of cases are the catalyst for a more emotional shift in opinion I may defer."


I posted that on Friday. At that point I had seen "Our Nicola" saying window cleaners and gardeners may work and read government advice that occupations not specifically banned should work.

Having seen the "meeja" headline "heavy handed Police tactics", ITV's Coronavirus Q&A that (via Choi) window cleaners may work and the "Metro" headline I feel there is now a public awareness that working is allowed.

I personally know 3 less "comfortable financially" relative window cleaners who at the end of last week restarted and who are working but who are circumnavigating commercials who largely say "no" or who have shut and a minority of customers who say no.

My compass is swinging towards maybe I "should" work but is till magnetically pulled by "stay at home".

Undecided here but not worried about being undecided.

"Not getting a payout" - certainly during this three week period is no concern to me because ...

A) I believe I will be paid (as I have experience of several non-banned companies furloughing their staff and shutting shop) as the HMRC have emailed me to what I believe is that effect.

B) I (hopefully) have another smaller income.

C) I have enough financial resources to last and beyond.

So I have the luxury of sitting on the fence and painting it.

That's my thoughts  and position  exactly. It frightens me how similar my views are to yours.

Common background? 

[G Griffin]

I'm surprised at how things have changed since last Thursday. I'm sure that the government will come through on the payment.
I didn't realise that there'd be so many jittery people; especially being self employed.
If you have to earn, go to work and explain your position if you have to.
Even Sturgeon told you that life shouldn't seem normal.

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

On a positive note.... it's lovely, quiet and a much more sensible arena now Tosh has had his wee backside spanked and sent to the naughty room!! Can only hope Gold loses the key!👍💪💪

[G Griffin]

On a positive note.... it's lovely, quiet and a much more sensible arena now Tosh has had his wee backside spanked and sent to the naughty room!! Can only hope Gold loses the key!👍💪💪

I'm not sure about that.

[deeege]

I'm surprised at how things have changed since last Thursday. I'm sure that the government will come through on the payment.
I didn't realise that there'd be so many jittery people; especially being self employed.
If you have to earn, go to work and explain your position if you have to.
Even Sturgeon told you that life shouldn't seem normal.

This amazes me also.

I’ve not really involved myself in the should I / shouldn’t I argument on here, everyone has different reasons to need to work and not need to work but the amount of people that seem to live hand to mouth is amazing. Especially when every time a pricing post pops up and most people are a lot more expensive than me.

What is everyone doing with their money? I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I was only one twisted ankle or broken foot away from not paying my bills or being evicted.

In the ‘what will you change about your business when things return to normal’ thread there wasn’t a single person that said they’d like to get a bit of money behind them to stop living hand to mouth. This should be every self employed persons top priority.

[Dry Clean]

I'm surprised at how things have changed since last Thursday. I'm sure that the government will come through on the payment.
I didn't realise that there'd be so many jittery people; especially being self employed.
If you have to earn, go to work and explain your position if you have to.
Even Sturgeon told you that life shouldn't seem normal.

This amazes me also.

I’ve not really involved myself in the should I / shouldn’t I argument on here, everyone has different reasons to need to work and not need to work but the amount of people that seem to live hand to mouth is amazing. Especially when every time a pricing post pops up and most people are a lot more expensive than me.

What is everyone doing with their money? I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I was only one twisted ankle or broken foot away from not paying my bills or being evicted.

In the ‘what will you change about your business when things return to normal’ thread there wasn’t a single person that said they’d like to get a bit of money behind them to stop living hand to mouth. This should be every self employed persons top priority.

Hand to mouth has nothing to do with it deeege, guys like Griff have decided not to work and are full of bile because others aren't doing the same,  I am able to keep to the social distancing rules (which is the important factor in this) and continue working so it would be nothing more than laziness if I didn't go out.

[Stoots]

I'm surprised at how things have changed since last Thursday. I'm sure that the government will come through on the payment.
I didn't realise that there'd be so many jittery people; especially being self employed.
If you have to earn, go to work and explain your position if you have to.
Even Sturgeon told you that life shouldn't seem normal.

This amazes me also.

I’ve not really involved myself in the should I / shouldn’t I argument on here, everyone has different reasons to need to work and not need to work but the amount of people that seem to live hand to mouth is amazing. Especially when every time a pricing post pops up and most people are a lot more expensive than me.

What is everyone doing with their money? I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I was only one twisted ankle or broken foot away from not paying my bills or being evicted.

In the ‘what will you change about your business when things return to normal’ thread there wasn’t a single person that said they’d like to get a bit of money behind them to stop living hand to mouth. This should be every self employed persons top priority.

Whilst that will be the case for some not everyone who chooses to work will live hand to mouth.

We all have our reasons.

Maybe people want to work because they don't warn to be stuck in the house or they want to save their money and not spend it. Some may be getting a payout and some wont.

Just because you earn decent money and have savings doesn't automatically mean you want to sit at home.

As for being jittery, that's down to personality. I'm naturally a worrier and anxious person who always fears the worse. whereas others will be laid back and chilled about it all.

[Jonny 87]

Good points made above.

I’m certainly not living hand to mouth, but I feel using savings now when I don’t need to would be foolish.

What happens when after a few months of normality another pandemic was to hit? A pandemic which means we absolutely can’t work?

We are being told to work while practicing safe distancing. That’s what a lot of us are doing.
We might not be as fortunate to work if there is a next time.

Assess each situation and act accordingly.

That’s what we are all doing.

Neither are wrong if it works for you. 👍

[deeege]

Yes that’s exactly what I’m saying Gomo/ Dry Clean/Jonny.

Whilst there are people that actually desperately need to work to pay their bills, their are also plenty that have decided to work for other reasons. (In no way am I saying that everyone out working is living hand to mouth)

I was just pointing out that a situation like this actually highlights the amount of people that seem to live hand to mouth.

[dazmond]

I spent many years living hand to mouth when I was a drinking alcoholic.i also got into a fair bit of debt 15 or so years ago.......I never want to go back to those days.....

So for me it's just instinctive to go to work and keep earning.....the low level anxiety felt by many of us is due to not knowing how long these restrictions will be in place......this will be devastating for my missus business,stepdaughter and stepson....their incomes have vanished overnight with no sign of it coming back in the near future(non essential shop and pub/club work)........so being in a position where I can help financially is a must......

Its took me 10 years to turn my window cleaning round into what it is today........I'm not gonna let it slide if we ve been given the ok off the government to keep working......

[LT carpet cleaning]

On a positive note.... it's lovely, quiet and a much more sensible arena now Tosh has had his wee backside spanked and sent to the naughty room!! Can only hope Gold loses the key!👍💪💪

What’d I miss 

[AuRavelling79]

On a positive note.... it's lovely, quiet and a much more sensible arena now Tosh has had his wee backside spanked and sent to the naughty room!! Can only hope Gold loses the key!👍💪💪

Errr ... being on a last warning is not the same as actually being in the naughty room. Some people step back from the brink. Maybe they self isolate for a while? 

[Richard iSparkle]

I put my guys back to work this Monday.

We will carry on working through now unless we are asked to close when I will do so immediately.

We closed down last week when i believed it was what the government was asking us to do.

When I read what they had put on the Gov website it was clear to me that they are encouraging us to go in to work if we can do so safety with distancing etc. All our customers pay us by DD so there's no need for face to face at all.

My wife and family are NHS and I have heard that side of it and am not taking the C19 thing lightly. In fact I was an NHS health care professional for 5 years.

However if the government are asking us to carry on working if we can I see this as doing our bit.

We are about to start helping our local veg store with their deliveries business too. I have offered my staff and vans to help them through this bump.

R

[AuRavelling79]

"We are about to start helping our local veg store with their deliveries business too. I have offered my staff and vans to help them through this bump."

Only an ex-healthcare professional with inside knowledge could use understatement like that! 

[G Griffin]

I'm surprised at how things have changed since last Thursday. I'm sure that the government will come through on the payment.
I didn't realise that there'd be so many jittery people; especially being self employed.
If you have to earn, go to work and explain your position if you have to.
Even Sturgeon told you that life shouldn't seem normal.

This amazes me also.

I’ve not really involved myself in the should I / shouldn’t I argument on here, everyone has different reasons to need to work and not need to work but the amount of people that seem to live hand to mouth is amazing. Especially when every time a pricing post pops up and most people are a lot more expensive than me.

What is everyone doing with their money? I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I was only one twisted ankle or broken foot away from not paying my bills or being evicted.

In the ‘what will you change about your business when things return to normal’ thread there wasn’t a single person that said they’d like to get a bit of money behind them to stop living hand to mouth. This should be every self employed persons top priority.

Morning, deeege, it was more about the panic of some people.
Understandably, many were worried about how they'd cope financially. But the government have promised reasonable assistance for at least three months. People were relieved, briefly, but then panic sets again because they can't wait for the money or they don't believe the government. I think there's more to it than money.
If someone has to go and earn, fair enough, just go and do it. You don't need to justify it.
If you want to work for your own sake, again, I understand. Some people just want normality in these testing times but you don't need to explain yourselves by telling us the weather was great, everyone was pleased to see you etc.
During some low points in my life, I've gone to work simply because it was a taste of normality. Reminding myself of what life was like before and what it could be again.

Some of the hardest hit, like yourself, have handled the crisis better than a lot of others.
Respect to you.

[G Griffin]

I'm surprised at how things have changed since last Thursday. I'm sure that the government will come through on the payment.
I didn't realise that there'd be so many jittery people; especially being self employed.
If you have to earn, go to work and explain your position if you have to.
Even Sturgeon told you that life shouldn't seem normal.

This amazes me also.

I’ve not really involved myself in the should I / shouldn’t I argument on here, everyone has different reasons to need to work and not need to work but the amount of people that seem to live hand to mouth is amazing. Especially when every time a pricing post pops up and most people are a lot more expensive than me.

What is everyone doing with their money? I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I was only one twisted ankle or broken foot away from not paying my bills or being evicted.

In the ‘what will you change about your business when things return to normal’ thread there wasn’t a single person that said they’d like to get a bit of money behind them to stop living hand to mouth. This should be every self employed persons top priority.

Hand to mouth has nothing to do with it deeege, guys like Griff have decided not to work and are full of bile because others aren't doing the same,  I am able to keep to the social distancing rules (which is the important factor in this) and continue working so it would be nothing more than laziness if I didn't go out.

Bile? Don't be silly, Dryo.
I have my reasons for not working and I'll willingly go through them with you. Some of these reasons are out of my hands, as well.
At the moment, I know my position and there's no room for any doubts. This is the biggest crisis that we will ever face, hopefully, and I can, and have to, stay at home. Tackling the spread of the virus is the most essential thing. Look at the news, lad, it's not just me.
That could all change in a few weeks or months though.
If you think I'm full of bile, it's because you're having doubts about working. That's not my fault.
Just go and do it, I'm not here to make you feel better about it.

[edward1]

I know I'm not getting any help as earnt over 50k for last few yrs.
so I'm going to continue although not a full round.

Is that after expenses? As in "Profit" before paying yourself.

yes earnt earnt around 60/64 I think after costs, work 6 days mostly 350 /400 most days. paid 19 in tax.

only household income with 2 kids left at home and wife volunteers at local hospice.

and no help from govt. I have some savings so will carry on working and use savings of I need,

but yes that was  my personal taxable income as a sole trader

[deeege]

I'm surprised at how things have changed since last Thursday. I'm sure that the government will come through on the payment.
I didn't realise that there'd be so many jittery people; especially being self employed.
If you have to earn, go to work and explain your position if you have to.
Even Sturgeon told you that life shouldn't seem normal.

This amazes me also.

I’ve not really involved myself in the should I / shouldn’t I argument on here, everyone has different reasons to need to work and not need to work but the amount of people that seem to live hand to mouth is amazing. Especially when every time a pricing post pops up and most people are a lot more expensive than me.

What is everyone doing with their money? I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I was only one twisted ankle or broken foot away from not paying my bills or being evicted.

In the ‘what will you change about your business when things return to normal’ thread there wasn’t a single person that said they’d like to get a bit of money behind them to stop living hand to mouth. This should be every self employed persons top priority.

Morning, deeege, it was more about the panic of some people.
Understandably, many were worried about how they'd cope financially. But the government have promised reasonable assistance for at least three months. People are relieved, briefly, but then panic sets again because they can't wait for the money or they don't believe the government. I think there's more to it than money.
If someone has to go and earn, fair enough, just go and do it. You don't need to justify it.
If you want to work for your own sake, again, I understand. Some people just want normality in these testing times but you don't need to explain yourselves by telling us the weather was great, everyone was pleased to see you etc.
During some low points in my life, I've gone to work simply because it was a taste of normality. Reminding myself of what life was life before and what it could be again.

Some of the hardest hit, like yourself, have handled the crisis better than a lot of others.
Respect to you.

I fully understand also if some want to work and some don’t, and there will be, like you say, many different factors for each individual that helps them make a decision. I respect that decision that each individual makes also. For some it will be an easy decision and for some far more difficult.

For me personally, I don’t need to work, I’m ok financially and would dip into my savings if needed, but that’s just one factor in making my decision.

After it’s been made clear that I won’t receive any financial support I’ve made the decision to carry on with the commercial work which I’m able to clean. I’ve done 2 short days this week and it has earnt me enough to cover my modest monthly outgoings (not including my mortgage which is on hold for 3 months)

Next week I have most of my domestic work due and I havnt made a decision on what to do about that yet. Tbh I will probably just crack on with a day on Monday like i usually would and make the call on the rest of the week depending on how Monday goes.

Each of us don’t know another persons family/financial/business priorities so let’s not judge others on the decisions they make.

The groups on FB are unbearable at the moment for this reason, the crowd on here is better than that. ✌️