WTBSEs 'Living within my means,saving for a better future' diary :)

WantToBeSE

hi Alterego, thanks for popping in
Yes, i do live in the sticks. In my town (its actually a village, not a town), there is only a Post office, pub, tesco and cooperative, so very expensive and limited.

I cant do babysitting, as i have 2 kids of my own and cant leave them in the evening as i am a single mum (thats why i've not had a night out for about 3 years), and i cant do dog walking because i am scared of dogs, lol!!

I have seen some ads for cleaners etc, which i thought was a great idea, but as i am claiming benefits i have to work over 16 hours a week if i work. Cleaning is what i am trying to set up my business in, so i need to order my flyers to hand out during half term, but they are expensive! I will get it done tomorrow though, thats my plan

I have seen a great job that i am applying for, working for royal mail. The hours are perfect (9-3) and that means i'll be out and about delivering parcels, not stuck in an office all day. Just up my street!
So fingers crossed with that one!

This unemployment malarky is not fun, and seems to suck all motivation out of me! I need to get a grip and get moving with my SE plans. Thats what i can do for the next few days.

AlTeREgO

Morning!!
Have you had a look on Vistaprint? they do some great marketing stuff, you can create your own design ect. Something like these might be handy for promotion.
dont forget to buy through a cashback site if you go for it
They are aways doing 250 free business cards, just pay the postage.
http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/car-door-magnets.aspx?txi=14920&xnid=ContextualLeftNav_Car+Door+Magnets+(linked+item)_Magnets_All+Products&xnav=ContextualLeftNav

I saw a great quote the other day...

If you don't build your dream, someone will hire you to build theirs....

WantToBeSE

Thanks Alter I got my business cards from there a few weeks ago, but am waiting until i can afford to get the flyers.
I get my child benefit next week, so i think i'll be buying them them- i feel bad doing that, but the business will enhance the lives of my kids too, right (hopefully!)? So its ok to spend child benefit on this, do you think?

I dont even know where to go for advice on starting up a business to be honest. I have been checking out the 'Business Links' website, (which is now gov.uk instead) and thats been really helpful.
I have tried talking to the advisors at the job centre, but everytime i try to chat to them, they try and get me out of the jobcentre asap! They are always very busy, and its always a case of go in, sign on, and leave as quickly as possible, as they dont have time to actually advise!

I am not sure what to do, if anyone can tell me how to get the help i need, i'd be more than grateful!

I definitely need to research more about it.

AlTeREgO

I don't deal with the Jobcentre personally, but my brother does and has had an absolute nightmare with them over the last 6 months or so. So yes i agree they are useless!!

You could ask on here on the small business section or even the up your income board, im sure i've seen a few cleaning business posts on there before. i also found this site which seems to be popular and is just for all aspects of cleaning has a business, so might be worth a nosey

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/

How far along are you in your start up plans?
do you have a name yet?
do you know who you want to clean for? small business or private house ect?
How far are you willing to travel ?
will you price your work by the hour or quote per job?
from what ive just quickly read its suggested £12 per hour with a £9 minimum per job.

I think this is proberly where you have already been looking but i'll post the link just incase https://www.gov.uk/starting-up-a-business

WantToBeSE

Thanks alterego

I will register with that website and have a nosey!
In answer to your Q's:

I am only very much at the start. I will be getting much more advanced once the flyers have been delivered.
I do have a name, its was an easy one to come up with
I would primarily be cleaning for private houses
Living in a rural area, i will have to travel up to 6miles (but can, i presume, claim some of the petrol/car use, back)
I will work by the hour- £10 pher hour

Until business picks up at the start, i am thinking about getting a job for up to 10hours, just so there is definitely some money coming in, no matter how small.

AlTeREgO

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Thanks alterego



I am only very much at the start. I will be getting much more advanced once the flyers have been delivered.

I ran my own franchise business for 5 years, the majority of its success was regular promotion 4 times a year.

It worked on a 5 prong attack with a set period timescale of say 1 week.
1) 3000 leaftlet drop, literally pounding the streets and posting leaflets in letterboxes!
2) 50 word of mouth, talking to everyone and anyone about your business (this was hard but gets easier the more you do it!)
3) 100 posters in shops, church halls, daycare centres, dentists, local businesses ect ect
4)1 Editorial in local news paper, this you would write yourself and include a picture (ie: you with ya mop& duster! :rotfl:) just detailing how you are a local women starting out in your own cleaning business after struggling to find employment, blah blah blah....old saying never let the truth get in the way of a good story works well here. If not in the local paper maybe a local news letter?
5) paid advert in local paper ~ mine would cost around £25

also a facebook page / twitter account and business only email address are now a good idea. people find these easier to remember than phone numbers. WTBSE CLEANING COMPANY is easier to remember than 077628491753

WantToBeSE

Thanks for the advice Alter, it's a great plan of attack (and kick up the bum, lol)

Well, i have now ordered the flyers
On the way to school to pick up my youngest, i will pop into the newsagents to get all the local papers, and see about putting adverts in them.

I have considered a FB page for the business, but am going to wait until the flyers have been delivered, as i wont really have anything to put on the page until i get people interested. One of the main bonuses of using my company will be th fact that i will use homemade products for those with allergies. I will offer a free consultions if they are interested, and work with the client to come to an arrangement, based on what they are allergic to etc. Also, if they simply prefer a not to have chemical cleaners, i will use the HM products for them too.

I am a bit worried about the start up costs, but i have a tiny amount of 'rainy day' savings, and have to make a leap of faith. Aarrgghh...scary!

WantToBeSE

OMG, i am FREAKING OUT!!!
I have just bought all of the kids main Christmas presents..and my savings account is now at £0 for the first time in a few years!!

It's ok though, its only until tomorrow, as i will have money coming in to transfer into my savings account from paypal and then CB next week.

i HATE having no money in the account, even if it is for less than 12 hours!!

WantToBeSE

Phew, i have transfered the money from paypal into my account, plus a few other £ from various places, to cover what was spent yesterday

WantToBeSE

Morning

Its very cold here this morning, so the heating is on and i'm really starting to worry about how i will manage to afford heating this winter.
Obviously i'll afford it, but it will have to come from somewhere, probably the grocery budget, as every penny is taken up with something.
I have already made draught excluders, got hot watwer bottles and fleeces to keep warm...i dont know what else i can do.

Anyway, enough of my moaning!

Today i am going to:
Write my weekly meal plan
Bake some herby bread and other savoury bits
Not use the car
Have a NSD day
Hopefully drag the kids for a walk to the woods
Clean the bathroom
Clean kitchen
Clean the pit (otherwise known as the 12 year olds bedroom)