[dazmond]

Tax bill paid and 2 x 10 day holidays to Lanzarote paid off now for May and September and plenty of money in the bank so no need to work but I like to work and get back into a regular routine after xmas.

Oh well I'm off to take the dog out,haircut then gym this afternoon.😎👍

It's amazing how you manage to stretch 1K a week Daz, fair play to you. 

But at least your tax bill will be low as for a sole trader you don't earn that much.

Ive still just paid over £12k on 2 holidays and my tax/NI bill but I've got a savings account that's maturing in a couple of weeks and plenty of money in my ISA so no financial problems but it wasn't always like this.

I spent many years in my 20s and early 30s living hand to mouth or in debt but finally turned things around in my 40s.

[dazmond]

It's hard going,  I did a full day Monday but I probably shouldn't have  in the snow if I had any sanity I was sliding about and struggling on some side streets. Yesterday wasn't as bad.

Looks like it's getting worse though minus 1 this morning tomorrow forecast minus 3 and barely getting to zero.

Only just managing to get off my driveway with a run up 

I'll persevere though today and tomorrow get something done at least.

It has tickled me daz that the hot water boys can't cope when little old cold man is out risking his neck and getting stuff done 

It's the risk of crashing the van,getting stuck down a side road or slipping and falling and breaking a bone that's stopping me working. It's dangerous out there and simply not worth the risk. There is a few inches of compacted ice and snow that's frozen solid overnight here. I'll lose out on around £800 not working Tues,Wed,Thurs so it's no big deal. It could be a lot worse if I crashed or broke a bone.

Be careful out there chaps!

Would it be worth the northern lads signing up with an employment agency and get temporary work in local factory or mine while the weather prevents you from cleaning windows?

Funny!🤣🤣🤣🤣

Deege thought you were being serious!😆🤣🤣👍

[Stoots]

Expensive time of year for me, 5 kids Christmas presents. 2 of their birthdays and r lasses birthday in the last 2 week lol.

Not working next Monday as got to go to London.

Unfortunately I'm not as rich as some on here as although I earn a decent amount i most of it gets spent on bills and kids. Not that I can't afford to take another week off on top of the 2 I've just lost but I'd rather not if it can be helped.

[paulswindows]

I was driving to some commercial jobs down the M62 yesterday when a lump of ice the size of a brick smashed in to the windscreen.
Not sure where it came from but I think it was either from the top of a lorry or an overhead gantry.
Not injured thankfully but cost me £164 excess for a new windscreen  😞

[dazmond]

I was driving to some commercial jobs down the M62 yesterday when a lump of ice the size of a brick smashed in to the windscreen.
Not sure where it came from but I think it was either from the top of a lorry or an overhead gantry.
Not injured thankfully but cost me £164 excess for a new windscreen  😞

Windscreen excess is usually £75.Yours seems expensive. Is it a large van?

Lots of grit on the road and I've had a few stone chips smash into the windscreen on my car the last few days but luckily no damage.

[dazmond]

Expensive time of year for me, 5 kids Christmas presents. 2 of their birthdays and r lasses birthday in the last 2 week lol.

Not working next Monday as got to go to London.

Unfortunately I'm not as rich as some on here as although I earn a decent amount i most of it gets spent on bills and kids. Not that I can't afford to take another week off on top of the 2 I've just lost but I'd rather not if it can be helped.

5 kids? Ruddy hell.You ll always be skint. No wonder your such a tight arse!

I vowed never to have kids when I seen how miserable it made my dad having 3 sons and having to work long hours in a job he hated.

[KS Cleaning]

Tax bill paid and 2 x 10 day holidays to Lanzarote paid off now for May and September and plenty of money in the bank so no need to work but I like to work and get back into a regular routine after xmas.

Oh well I'm off to take the dog out,haircut then gym this afternoon.😎👍

I imagine you’d have a rather large tax bill given your record earnings, wouldn’t it be better to keep the money in the bank for as long as possible to get the interest on it?

[deeege]

It's hard going,  I did a full day Monday but I probably shouldn't have  in the snow if I had any sanity I was sliding about and struggling on some side streets. Yesterday wasn't as bad.

Looks like it's getting worse though minus 1 this morning tomorrow forecast minus 3 and barely getting to zero.

Only just managing to get off my driveway with a run up 

I'll persevere though today and tomorrow get something done at least.

It has tickled me daz that the hot water boys can't cope when little old cold man is out risking his neck and getting stuff done 

It's the risk of crashing the van,getting stuck down a side road or slipping and falling and breaking a bone that's stopping me working. It's dangerous out there and simply not worth the risk. There is a few inches of compacted ice and snow that's frozen solid overnight here. I'll lose out on around £800 not working Tues,Wed,Thurs so it's no big deal. It could be a lot worse if I crashed or broke a bone.

Be careful out there chaps!

Would it be worth the northern lads signing up with an employment agency and get temporary work in local factory or mine while the weather prevents you from cleaning windows?

Funny!🤣🤣🤣🤣

Deege thought you were being serious!😆🤣🤣👍

I missed the part about the ‘mine’, funny 

[simon w]

It's hard going,  I did a full day Monday but I probably shouldn't have  in the snow if I had any sanity I was sliding about and struggling on some side streets. Yesterday wasn't as bad.

Looks like it's getting worse though minus 1 this morning tomorrow forecast minus 3 and barely getting to zero.

Only just managing to get off my driveway with a run up 

I'll persevere though today and tomorrow get something done at least.

It has tickled me daz that the hot water boys can't cope when little old cold man is out risking his neck and getting stuff done 

It's the risk of crashing the van,getting stuck down a side road or slipping and falling and breaking a bone that's stopping me working. It's dangerous out there and simply not worth the risk. There is a few inches of compacted ice and snow that's frozen solid overnight here. I'll lose out on around £800 not working Tues,Wed,Thurs so it's no big deal. It could be a lot worse if I crashed or broke a bone.

Be careful out there chaps!

Would it be worth the northern lads signing up with an employment agency and get temporary work in local factory or mine while the weather prevents you from cleaning windows?

Funny!🤣🤣🤣🤣

Deege thought you were being serious!😆🤣🤣👍

I missed the part about the ‘mine’, funny 

I wasn't joking, it never drops below zero down the pit 

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

Expensive time of year for me, 5 kids Christmas presents. 2 of their birthdays and r lasses birthday in the last 2 week lol.

Not working next Monday as got to go to London.

Unfortunately I'm not as rich as some on here as although I earn a decent amount i most of it gets spent on bills and kids. Not that I can't afford to take another week off on top of the 2 I've just lost but I'd rather not if it can be helped.

5 kids? Ruddy hell.You ll always be skint. No wonder your such a tight arse!

I vowed never to have kids when I seen how miserable it made my dad having 3 sons and having to work long hours in a job he hated.

You've missed out on one of life's greatest privileges then Daz! Nothing, and I mean nothing can give you the kind of joy, feelings, love and fulfilment that being a good parent does! The struggles are part of the amazing journey, nothing can compare to what you get from, caring, loving, nurturing and providing for your own family. I would happily choose to be potless and jump at the chance to do it all again. Money doesn't even come into it, no holiday, car, hobby etc will ever come close to what having a child provides you with!

[NBwcs]

Expensive time of year for me, 5 kids Christmas presents. 2 of their birthdays and r lasses birthday in the last 2 week lol.

Not working next Monday as got to go to London.

Unfortunately I'm not as rich as some on here as although I earn a decent amount i most of it gets spent on bills and kids. Not that I can't afford to take another week off on top of the 2 I've just lost but I'd rather not if it can be helped.

5 kids? Ruddy hell.You ll always be skint. No wonder your such a tight arse!

I vowed never to have kids when I seen how miserable it made my dad having 3 sons and having to work long hours in a job he hated.

You've missed out on one of life's greatest privileges then Daz! Nothing, and I mean nothing can give you the kind of joy, feelings, love and fulfilment that being a good parent does! The struggles are part of the amazing journey, nothing can compare to what you get from, caring, loving, nurturing and providing for your own family. I would happily choose to be potless and jump at the chance to do it all again. Money doesn't even come into it, no holiday, car, hobby etc will ever come close to what having a child provides you with!

And also the joy of being a grandparent  in later years and reliving  it again but with more socialable  hours.

[dazmond]

Expensive time of year for me, 5 kids Christmas presents. 2 of their birthdays and r lasses birthday in the last 2 week lol.

Not working next Monday as got to go to London.

Unfortunately I'm not as rich as some on here as although I earn a decent amount i most of it gets spent on bills and kids. Not that I can't afford to take another week off on top of the 2 I've just lost but I'd rather not if it can be helped.

5 kids? Ruddy hell.You ll always be skint. No wonder your such a tight arse!

I vowed never to have kids when I seen how miserable it made my dad having 3 sons and having to work long hours in a job he hated.

You've missed out on one of life's greatest privileges then Daz! Nothing, and I mean nothing can give you the kind of joy, feelings, love and fulfilment that being a good parent does! The struggles are part of the amazing journey, nothing can compare to what you get from, caring, loving, nurturing and providing for your own family. I would happily choose to be potless and jump at the chance to do it all again. Money doesn't even come into it, no holiday, car, hobby etc will ever come close to what having a child provides you with!

Ive never wanted kids mate....ever....Im happy with my missus and dog.Although I might be a step grandad one day so still time yet in my later years.

I've been a stepdad to a few kids over the years and enjoyed some of that time. My current stepdaughter is 25 now and stepson is 32. Glad their grown up now and so is my missus!🙂👍

[dazmond]

Tax bill paid and 2 x 10 day holidays to Lanzarote paid off now for May and September and plenty of money in the bank so no need to work but I like to work and get back into a regular routine after xmas.

Oh well I'm off to take the dog out,haircut then gym this afternoon.😎👍

I imagine you’d have a rather large tax bill given your record earnings, wouldn’t it be better to keep the money in the bank for as long as possible to get the interest on it?

Nope. Tax bill isn't massive as I'm still in the 20% bracket and only work part time these days. As for my 2 holidays I like to pay them off in full so by the time I go on them it feels like I've got them for free. I also save up specifically for these holidays in a 7% interest account that matures in January every year which pays a big chunk of them off....

I like to be ahead of all my financial commitments and affairs. It gives me peace of mind.

[deeege]

Tax bill paid and 2 x 10 day holidays to Lanzarote paid off now for May and September and plenty of money in the bank so no need to work but I like to work and get back into a regular routine after xmas.

Oh well I'm off to take the dog out,haircut then gym this afternoon.😎👍

I imagine you’d have a rather large tax bill given your record earnings, wouldn’t it be better to keep the money in the bank for as long as possible to get the interest on it?

Nope. Tax bill isn't massive as I'm still in the 20% bracket and only work part time these days. As for my 2 holidays I like to pay them off in full so by the time I go on them it feels like I've got them for free. I also save up specifically for these holidays in a 7% interest account that matures in January every year which pays a big chunk of them off....

I like to be ahead of all my financial commitments and affairs. It gives me peace of mind.

From the numbers you quote on here Daz, you must turnover £50k with a self employed profit of £45k. Tax and NI liability on that would be close to £10k. I’d love to know how you get 2x 5 star holidays and also pay your tax bill with £12k 

[dazmond]

Tax bill paid and 2 x 10 day holidays to Lanzarote paid off now for May and September and plenty of money in the bank so no need to work but I like to work and get back into a regular routine after xmas.

Oh well I'm off to take the dog out,haircut then gym this afternoon.😎👍

I imagine you’d have a rather large tax bill given your record earnings, wouldn’t it be better to keep the money in the bank for as long as possible to get the interest on it?

Nope. Tax bill isn't massive as I'm still in the 20% bracket and only work part time these days. As for my 2 holidays I like to pay them off in full so by the time I go on them it feels like I've got them for free. I also save up specifically for these holidays in a 7% interest account that matures in January every year which pays a big chunk of them off....

I like to be ahead of all my financial commitments and affairs. It gives me peace of mind.

From the numbers you quote on here Daz, you must turnover £50k with a self employed profit of £45k. Tax and NI liability on that would be close to £10k. I’d love to know how you get 2x 5 star holidays and also pay your tax bill with £12k 

Nope....tax/insurance was just over 6k and my holidays were £2600 and £3200 respectively for me and the missus.turnover for last tax year was down to just over 42k as I only work part time now and have at least 6 weeks off a year.Expenses were just over 7k.🙂👍

[deeege]

Tax bill paid and 2 x 10 day holidays to Lanzarote paid off now for May and September and plenty of money in the bank so no need to work but I like to work and get back into a regular routine after xmas.

Oh well I'm off to take the dog out,haircut then gym this afternoon.😎👍

I imagine you’d have a rather large tax bill given your record earnings, wouldn’t it be better to keep the money in the bank for as long as possible to get the interest on it?

Nope. Tax bill isn't massive as I'm still in the 20% bracket and only work part time these days. As for my 2 holidays I like to pay them off in full so by the time I go on them it feels like I've got them for free. I also save up specifically for these holidays in a 7% interest account that matures in January every year which pays a big chunk of them off....

I like to be ahead of all my financial commitments and affairs. It gives me peace of mind.

From the numbers you quote on here Daz, you must turnover £50k with a self employed profit of £45k. Tax and NI liability on that would be close to £10k. I’d love to know how you get 2x 5 star holidays and also pay your tax bill with £12k 

Nope....tax/insurance was just over 6k and my holidays were £2600 and £3200 respectively for me and the missus.turnover for last tax year was down to just over 42k as I only work part time now and have at least 6 weeks off a year.Expenses were just over 7k.🙂👍

Fair play if that works for you Daz. My life expenses, whilst still quite low compared to the southern lads, are still higher than yours. No way I’d be able to have the lifestyle and holidays I do if I was turning over just £42k. Horses for courses I suppose.

[Stoots]

I do about 45k. Only do 20 to 25 hours a week on the glass though...

It's funny how money works.

Probably have about a grand a month disposable income. To some people that's poverty but I remember for a good period of of about 10 years when I had less than 200 quid a month disposable and guess what we still made it work with cheap caravan holidays and budgeting. Still had a car, clothes, days out etc you just get more thrifty.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

It's easy to over spend during the haydays of life.   Some earn well but spend everything to keep up with Joneses

Don't forget to save for your future, pensions are critical these days to survive.

[dazmond]

I'm lucky because my rent is only £91 a week,I don't drink or smoke anymore,no kids and my missus has her own business too. No way would I be able to lease a new car every 3 years if I was paying private rent as it would get swallowed up in rent. I also save regularly too in my instant access ISA and various other high interest accounts for tax/NI,holidays,emergency fund,etc

When I move in with the missus I'll be no better off. It'll be about the same as I am now living on my own but my missus will be better off financially because I'll be helping with the mortgage and bills.

My missus has spent a lot on the house over the last 10 years,new driveway,fencing,large summer house,new shed,lots of painting and decorating,plastering,new furniture,etc,etc.

She feathers the nest and I pay for the holidays and do most of the cooking.She ll be mortgage free in a few years so we will both have lower outgoings.

Health permitting I can see us both working in some capacity (albeit
part time)well into our 60s and 70s...

[dazmond]

It's easy to over spend during the haydays of life.   Some earn well but spend everything to keep up with Joneses

Don't forget to save for your future, pensions are critical these days to survive.

I was very reckless in my youth and thought I would die before reaching 30.I know of quite a few friends that have already died in their late 30s/mid forties so I count myself lucky I'm still here.

I'm 53 now and simply refuse to invest in any pension schemes. All I have is my state pension,savings and my part time business.

I'll take my chances,go on the holidays now while I'm in good health and if I live to be an old man who can't work anymore ill live a lot more frugally because I'll be old!😆