Dare I go Self-Employed? Any Suggestions?

Elle00

I hate not working as benefits are such a "ticking over thing" (I know they're supposed to be). I tried going out to work full-time last year and couldn't manage with the stress over childcare problems. I'd also like to be my own boss, not have to put my son into childcare (he goes to playgroup plus he sleeps well at night so working around him should be do-able) and have a bit of direction too.

As I can type at 100wpm and have quite a few computing qualifications, I'd like to set up as a self-employed typist. I've thought the business side of things all through, but the problem is of course the fluctuation in work. As a lone parent, I have to work an average of 16hrs a week to qualify for tax credits.

I was wondering though about combining it with Avon or something to make the hours up. It's not really about the money, I know Avon pays terribly, but I need to work an average of 16hrs a week or I won't qualify for tax credits.

Any suggestions or comments (that aren't derrogatory towards those on benefits) would be most welcome. I've never been a massive risk taker in life despite liking to be in control of my own life. I guess I'm scared that I won't be able to get the 16hrs a week work.

EDIT: Sorry just to clarify, I decided to post here instead of on the employment board because I'm concerned about the benefit side of things more than the employment side.

Conor_3

The 16hr a week thing is quite easy to get around as it covers everything you do in relation to your business such as looking for more clients etc. If I post something at the post office for my business, that hour it takes me to do it is classed as working. When you go to open a business bank account, the time you spend doing that is counted as work. When you go to your local Business Lnik for advice, that's counted as work. etc etc etc. In short, the WTC would have all hell on proving you didn't do 16 hours a week as self employed.

If you're doing Avon, you are aware that you're already self employed aren't you?

Taking the Avon thing you do for example, which is actually self employment you should be declaring, all the preparation then the time spent delivering from when you walk out the door to when you get back and finish doing the paperwork is classed as working. Say it takes you 30 minutes to get everything together, 30 minutes to travel to your area, two hours collecting orders, another 30 minutes travelling back then another hour processing them, you've just done 4.5hrs.

Elle00

Conor wrote: »

The 16hr a week thing is quite easy to get around as it covers everything you do in relation to your business such as looking for more clients etc. If I post something at the post office for my business, that hour it takes me to do it is classed as working. When you go to open a business bank account, the time you spend doing that is counted as work. When you go to your local Business Lnik for advice, that's counted as work. etc etc etc. In short, the WTC would have all hell on proving you didn't do 16 hours a week as self employed.

If you're doing Avon, you are aware that you're already self employed aren't you?

Taking the Avon thing you do for example, which is actually self employment you should be declaring, all the preparation then the time spent delivering from when you walk out the door to when you get back and finish doing the paperwork is classed as working. Say it takes you 30 minutes to get everything together, 30 minutes to travel to your area, two hours collecting orders, another 30 minutes travelling back then another hour processing them, you've just done 4.5hrs.

Thanks for replying. That's a really good point about where the time can go actually, something to think about. I mean I suppose I could include everything from designing spreadsheets to running a leaflet drop.

I don't already do Avon by the way, I was just saying I was thinking of doing it alongside typing so I wasn't putting all my eggs in one basket.

Having a little one, it really would be great if I could find a way to give it a go. Maybe I just need to be a bit more positive?!

Conor_3

Elle83 wrote: »

Thanks for replying. That's a really good point about where the time can go actually, something to think about. I mean I suppose I could include everything from designing spreadsheets to running a leaflet drop.

That's the idea..you've got it in one. For some advice about setting up in employment and short courses in basic book-keeping etc, your local Business Link should be more than willing to help out. Take advantage of them - that's what they're there for.