Low income dog walker needs to replace car

stevedu

My son runs his own dog walking business. The old Berlingo that he bought in October so that he could take on more business further afield has broken down and had to be scrapped, which has put him in a dilemma. He’s got some money to put towards a replacement but is over £2000 short. 

Although he’s been making better money since he got the car, his last tax return shows that he made less than £7000, so according to the Eligibility Calculator money transfer cards/loans only seem likely to be offer him up to £1400 or so. Saving up isn't really an option as without a car his income has dropped. Any suggestions?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Bank of mum and dad 😳

MalMonroe

Hi,

When your son is using a car for his business, he will need to also insure it for business use - as he probably already knows?

And as a dog walker, I expect he also has to pay for extra insurance in case anything happens to any of the dogs while they are in his care?

Those extra costs on top of him wanting to get another car may be prohibitive.

Isn't there anything he can find to buy for around £1400? (per the eligibility checks)

Why didn't he hang on to his old car because even when a car is only fit for scrap, some dealers will accept it as a deposit/trade in. In my experience, anyway. I'd never just get rid of a car without finding out if I could make some use of it. Or get some cash for it as scrap.

Hopefully the job is only a temporary/part time one since £7000 pa isn't really much to live on.

jimpwarsop

I dont suppose getting a"real" job and dog walking part time ever occurred ?

[Deleted User]

I'm guessing this is just a hobby business  -   is your son still in further education ?
If so it's likely he doesn't have the time to take on a 2nd job.

Herzlos

He could see if there's any kind of business support funding available, which probably means visiting a business development place or job centre or similar.

Or he just needs to buy something cheaper but that'll leave him in an awkward spiral because at the bottom end of the estate car / van market the vehicles are all borderline scrap to begin with.

MEM62

jimpwarsop said:

I dont suppose getting a"real" job and dog walking part time ever occurred ?

On what basis are you assuming that dog walking is not a real job?  There are many healthy business out there based on providing this service.   

soolin

MEM62 said:

jimpwarsop said:

I dont suppose getting a"real" job and dog walking part time ever occurred ?

On what basis are you assuming that dog walking is not a real job?  There are many healthy business out there based on providing this service.   

The mention of £7000 declared suggests this is not a liveable serious wage if living independently . I know people will respond with low income jobs , but £7000 seems to be more of a part time venture perhaps whilst studying or rehabilitation after an illness or perhaps whilst being supported by parents at home. I wouldn’t want to pay rent and bills and survive independently on that, nor would I consider it a healthy full time business. 

However, my thoughts are immaterial and it is always nice to find someone doing something they hopefully enjoy and I hope a solution to the car issue can be found, even if it is bank of mum and dad. 

[Deleted User]

MEM62 said:

jimpwarsop said:

I dont suppose getting a"real" job and dog walking part time ever occurred ?

On what basis are you assuming that dog walking is not a real job?  There are many healthy business out there based on providing this service.   

It won't be a full time job or he's a loony earning 7k working full time as that's less than what he could get doing shelf stacking. OP's kid should get a second job part time or similar and maybe borrow off parents if possible with an agreed repayment schedule

stevedu

Thanks for your thoughts people - I agree, he could earn more in many other jobs but, for better or worse, this is what he wants to do. He's working full time but, yes, still living at home supported by mum and dad 

The issue is that whilst he's earning much more since he started using a car and increased the number of clients, at the time of his last tax return he was only making £7,000 pa - so that's what the banks are looking at

silverwhistle

It's a potentially viable business based on the sign written vehicles I see in my area, and it's a potentially nice job when the sun shines. The money is probably earned when it doesn't. :-)

But £7K really isn't much and it all sounds a bit ad hoc. Has he done a business plan of any sort: revenue, costs, competition and their rates and a host of other things such as the insurance mentioned above?

You may be a bit sceptical of his choices but you might be able to help with some of the business development purely from the experience of age let alone any particular skills you can bring to the table.