jasper3 Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Anyone else finding things Hard... work has dropped of by 70% ... and to be honest , at 51 I am bored to tears with flooring, so getting the motivation is even harder.. being self employed ive done the 7 day a week stuff... but as above..i am soooooooo bored with laying floors....I am bored with chasing people to pay.... grrrrrrr have any of you changed your direction in life..and how did you get on...... jasp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 (edited) It's tough at the moment, I'm just keeping my head down and trying to pay the bills. 30 days became 60 days, became 90 days with some clients. I did make the change from oilfield engineer to graphic designer many moons ago and didn't regret it. The depression, sorry, triple dip recession has sadly put pay to my plans to change career again and become a successful international gigolo and playboy! Edited February 16, 2013 by mick miller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Im a building contractor and i agree its dire at the moment,I work an avg of 2 days in 3 over the year.I looked at some accounts last weekend and my current turnover is less than my net profit from seven years ago.I do think about a change but dont know what i would/could that would replace the income.I harboured a dream to retrain as a gas safe bod for my latter years but the cost puts me off. Head down and soldier on at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unapalomablanca Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Anyone else finding things Hard... work has dropped of by 70% ... and to be honest , at 51 I am bored to tears with flooring, so getting the motivation is even harder.. being self employed ive done the 7 day a week stuff... but as above..i am soooooooo bored with laying floors....I am bored with chasing people to pay.... grrrrrrr have any of you changed your direction in life..and how did you get on...... jasp Set yourself up with a decent used luton van with a taillift, lay some adverts and be a man with a van. Stipulate that the customer helps you with the lifting. I think if you thought it out you would do well. People would pay you at the destination point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houlsby Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Closed my company last year as I was sick of non payment, chasing work and making less (profit) than when I was an apprentice and charging round the country at ridiculous o'clock every morning. Now working on the cards for a consulting company to Yorkshire water. Totally different career step and its fantastic. Made a bit as well :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 (edited) The big problem is that when the tide goes out on a beach it goes out on the whole beach. All the easy to start up businesses like window cleaner, gardener, man with van etc will have an influx of people already looking to top up their earnings. Thats not to say its not possible you just have to be aware of the amount of competition. Actually, dog walking is a good one. My son has done it in the past, the beauty is its regular work, mostly everyday, and you can walk more than one dog at the same time. Google up dog walking, theres lots on the internet about it. No overheads and regular work cash in hand. Edited February 16, 2013 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeds chimp Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 use to work in insurance and sales/customer....use to do the door as a bit of extra money/fun....went traveling round Europe and came back and went into security full time working at event, door and retail...love the job most of the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
castletyne Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 I have a carpet shop luckily never been so busy only down to the regulars picked up over the years But im at the point now where im sick of crawling round on my hands and knees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 (edited) Exmouth and area - retired foggy dews - good pensions - some disposable income - like their gardens -you won't earn a fortune, but a nice little earner while things are tough - you can have my trade name as it has a good reputation - working domestic properties (doddle) only - low start up outlay. The Mole Man. Edit: Forgot to mention it; magpie 're-location' is also an up and coming potential little earner. Edited February 16, 2013 by wymberley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 We have our own medium size car body repair shop, it's been a tough few years but it does look like at the minute things are going well, i think the only reason we have been able to ride it out is because we have built a good name and have diversified into slightly different areas over the years. A good proportion of our work is on jobs most other people wouldn't have the inclination or expertise to tackle. Getting money out of people isn't easy though and unless people are on account we insist of payment when the vehicle is collected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie-fox Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 i keep thinking of a change....but to be honest im on a good number,warm office,tea on request...receptionist to do things for me...but i hate my job at the moment, if i could find a job that would pay the same id walk out. but i guess jobs are hard to find these days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chr15j Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 I was in it sales retrained as lawyer and now run own business as vehicle finance broker. Started it just under 3 years ago so when recession first hit (worst time to start up) but I've managed to grow it and doing very well indeed. Now looking to bring on S/E person to help further growth with good money in it. Anyone fancy sitting on bum most of day on phone with occasional meetings but isself motivated, intelligent and professional, get in touch. Oh and if you want to lease a car or van for you or your business get I touch touch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Made redundant after 17 yrs as a toolmaker/cnc machinist and spent £2000 on a tiling course To try and go self employed,found i was too slow at it, and people wouldnt pay the money i was told i could ern. I hated it,so went back to the only thing i know . Im a graphite machinist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 To be honest it is hard everywhere at the moment. It must be horrible being self employed scrabbling for work and chasing payments but being an employee dealing with the growing politcs and ****head bosses is tiresome. As people become more insecure about their jobs it brings out the very worst in people. As I type I am in the office on a Saturday afternoon batting away stupid e-mails. Nearly 34 years I have been working in the markets and I've never hated it so much. There again I suppose if I had been better at my job and/or saved more money rather than ******* it up against the wall I would be looking at retirement. I would love to do something else but sold my soull to the devil years ago. Good luck to anybody who does make a change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted February 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 jeeze, sure is widespread , and i wish you all well..I do have just enough work to keep the wolf from the door (at the minute) , but like a few have said..its not just the work, but the chasing of money, I did have a idea, back along , still looking into that one.... also another one has got me excited..also doing the homework on that one.....so far, feed back is looking interesting.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linny Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 use to work in insurance and sales/customer....use to do the door as a bit of extra money/fun....went traveling round Europe and came back and went into security full time working at event, door and retail...love the job most of the time i am a joiner and building contractor and have been very busy at times and then ther is not a lot happening it just drop off but we don't advertise and haven't for years but keep going i even considered going back on the door as this is what i did for over 14 years then went on to event security bands boxing raves etc just to quote leeds cimp yes there was at times a fun element to it but also a very very ugly side ive got the scars to prove this murders rapes stabbings guns etc the list gos on so i think im getting to old to go back to that much to the relief of my wife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie-fox Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 i am a joiner and building contractor and have been very busy at times and then ther is not a lot happening it just drop off but we don't advertise and haven't for years but keep going i even considered going back on the door as this is what i did for over 14 years then went on to event security bands boxing raves etc just to quote leeds cimp yes there was at times a fun element to it but also a very very ugly side ive got the scars to prove this murders rapes stabbings guns etc the list gos on so i think im getting to old to go back to that much to the relief of my wife thats what i still do every friday and sat night...its still as bad as it allways was.if you mix booze and drugs and idiots you can guess the outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Anyone else finding things Hard... work has dropped of by 70% ... and to be honest , at 51 I am bored to tears with flooring, so getting the motivation is even harder.. being self employed ive done the 7 day a week stuff... but as above..i am soooooooo bored with laying floors....I am bored with chasing people to pay.... grrrrrrr have any of you changed your direction in life..and how did you get on...... jasp Ever thought about teaching? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scobydog Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 (edited) I went from civil servant to locksmith, never looked back, got a couple of lads doing work as and when needed, a lot of my work is commercial as opposed to callouts, got some good contracts with builders and authorities. Also do quite a lot of sash window repairs and replacement, luckily i live in a conservation area and this type of work comes up regularly. Good luck with whatever you choose. S Edited February 16, 2013 by scobydog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overandunder2012 Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Set yourself up with a decent used luton van with a taillift, lay some adverts and be a man with a van. Stipulate that the customer helps you with the lifting. I think if you thought it out you would do well. People would pay you at the destination point. theres no money in this if you try to do it legally trust me been there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clakk Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 i sympathise .i work for the biggest plastic firm youve never heard off and if u got a car/van u got our bits init.but they are cack payers to suppliers 90 days b4 u got chance of payment if u are lucky.we always on STOP with some contractor or other cos theyve had enough of company promises .its embarrasing a turnover of billions ,factorys world wide yet we dont pay on time people who keep us going on a daily basis .clever too each factory is run as a separate entity so u cant get money from head office.must be hell at the mo wages are good ,but the petty backstabbing and office bull are hideous cos they know people are scared for their job.atb clakk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daks Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Know how you feel on this one fella, for me, I just soldier on best I can, I think most people are the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted February 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 (edited) Ever thought about teaching? I would hate that Bleeh I lack confidence in my self when speaking as much as i enjoy talking to people i love working on my own, I also love creating things, not building, but making films and before anyone suggests porn..the wife said no I am actually working on a short film about alzheimers ...but that won't bring in any money... i have just finished the opening credits..i start filming the actual film next month Edited February 16, 2013 by jasper3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROY Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 It may be not the most exciting way of making cash but how about high quality wedding videography??? or maybe put together a showreel and tout it around the more interesting production companies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 I was self employed for nearly ten years making good money as a heating engineer/Pipefitter welder. Doing my own jobs and subbing to larger companies for large commercial jobs, but a few year ago the market went flat over night. Went back to working on industrial pipework and supervision on chemical plant and oil&gas plants and platfoms not great but pays bills, only making now what I was ten years ago, If you can find something you would like to do I'd say go for it, you can still do the flooring on the side if needs be. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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