Low income dog walker needs to replace car

Nearlyold

Firstly, there is nothing wrong with your son aiming to earn a living as a dog walker, my wife started a dog walking and home pet visits (feeding cats etc whilst owners were away) business and it was only a few years later that she was so busy I joined her, and we ended walking up to some 40 dogs a day between us based on 3  40minute walks each daily, plus elderly dogs who just needed to be let out for a toilet break and  5 or 6 pet visits sometimes both am & pm a day in the holiday season.  We're now retired however the three people who took on our clients are all doing well and having to turn potential new customers down because they've no more capacity.

Is there no way you could help your son bridge the gap to buying the vehicle he needs?

Exodi

Nearlyold said:

Firstly, there is nothing wrong with your son aiming to earn a living as a dog walker, my wife started a dog walking and home pet visits (feeding cats etc whilst owners were away) business and it was only a few years later that she was so busy I joined her, and we ended walking up to some 40 dogs a day between us based on 3  40minute walks each daily, plus elderly dogs who just needed to be let out for a toilet break and  5 or 6 pet visits sometimes both am & pm a day in the holiday season.  We're now retired however the three people who took on our clients are all doing well and having to turn potential new customers down because they've no more capacity.

Is there no way you could help your son bridge the gap to buying the vehicle he needs?

While the compensation is likely to be less than other jobs, I am envious of the health benefits.

Sitting in a chair staring at a screen all day isn't good for anyone, it is pretty good to be able to walk several miles everyday as part of your job.

Nearlyold

Exodi said:

Nearlyold said:

Firstly, there is nothing wrong with your son aiming to earn a living as a dog walker, my wife started a dog walking and home pet visits (feeding cats etc whilst owners were away) business and it was only a few years later that she was so busy I joined her, and we ended walking up to some 40 dogs a day between us based on 3  40minute walks each daily, plus elderly dogs who just needed to be let out for a toilet break and  5 or 6 pet visits sometimes both am & pm a day in the holiday season.  We're now retired however the three people who took on our clients are all doing well and having to turn potential new customers down because they've no more capacity.

Is there no way you could help your son bridge the gap to buying the vehicle he needs?

While the compensation is likely to be less than other jobs, I am envious of the health benefits.

Sitting in a chair staring at a screen all day isn't good for anyone, it is pretty good to be able to walk several miles everyday as part of your job.

Guess it depends on what sort of job you compare it against.

For one person 3 walks every weekday with 6 dogs on each walk @ £8 a walk plus say 3 cat feeding visits a day for 7 days @ £8 a visit = £888 per week Gross 

Herzlos

stevedu said:

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

So what's he likely to be earning this year? What's his budget for a new vehicle? How much does he have available in cash? Can he lease a small van?

Retireby40

Financially (based on last year) the business isn't viable. Nobody can live on £7000 a year and become independent. However if they have significantly increased could work.

If his earnings have increased he should either have more money or you could, having seen the evidence of this bigger income, lend him the money.

Or take a small loan and be his guarantor.