9 to 5
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
New Idea (somewhat long)
After reading another member's post about being miserable at work it got me thinking. Well, I mean I have been thinking about this, but I guess I could use some advice on it. I absolutely hate my job, I am more than miserable being there and even thinking about being there. We need me to have a job, especially lately. My FI put in his 2 weeks (2 weeks ago) and his new job pushed back the start date another 2 weeks. So needless to say we are on a strict budget right now... Anyway, I have been putting a lot of thought into starting my own business, or rather being my own boss. I want to clean houses. I know it sounds strange but I like to clean, and I'm good at it. I have talked to my parents cleaning lady about it before and she said she makes anywhere between $50-$200 a house depending on the size and the time it takes. My job now does not pay a lot, and it's a 45 minute commute. If I cleaned 4 houses a week at $100 I would be doing better than my job now plus I would be working fewer hours, not burning through gas, or getting taxes taken out. I brought this idea to my FI and while he thinks it's good, he doesn't think it's logical. That I don't understand. There are plenty of cleaning businesses and solo cleaning people. I think if I can get my name out there it would work out. So now for the advice: what do you think? Should I try to get some cleaning jobs, or just drop the idea?
Re: New Idea (somewhat long)
I think you should go for it but I would keep your other job.
For a while it might be a side business and depeneding on where the current economy ends up going it could be a bad time to enter the market but you will never know unless you try.
I say do your research and go for it. There are lots of resources on the web about starting a cleaning business and talking to someone already in the industry is a good way to start.
GL!
I wouldn't up and quit your job until you have established a client base.
My mom has cleaned houses for more than 15 years now - she started cleaning at Days Inn and then for a disaster cleanup company before branching out on her own. Her initial clients were referrals from my aunts - one worked as a hairdresser, the other as a nail technician - and they were wealthier clients. Some have treated my mom quite well (one couple she's been cleaning for since the beginning, they have a second home in Scottsdale AZ where my parents now vacation - essentially all expenses paid - for a couple weeks every year).
I agree-maybe hold on to your current job to cushion some of the start-up costs (cleaning products, etc) but see if you can cut back on hours so you'll have time to find clients for your new business?
It actually sounds like a great idea- who knows, if you start with just yourself cleaning, maybe you can bring on employees later and manage a whole little sector of cleaning? The key is to build good relationships with your clients- they want a cleaning lady they can trust to come when they need them (before a party, esp w back to school happening soon you could be quite busy!), be dependable, and someone they can trust to leave alone in their house. It's really hard to find someone dependable, which is why we LOVE our lady we've had for years- inviting her to my wedding, since she was at the house the day I was getting ready for prom with my now-FI:)
Like I said, it's all about relationships and networking!! Maybe start with a few houses and clients on the side of your current job, then quit when you feel you are more financially stable maybe once your hubby starts working.
You would still need to take money out and put it in a savings account for taxes.
None of this is true.
Owning your own business requires you to work more hours than you think. At least in the beginning, you're going to have to work hard to market yourself.
You'd still be "burning through gas", since you'll have to drive to the houses that you are cleaning.
You are still going to have to pay taxes. You can't own a business and not pay taxes........well, you can, but it's illegal and if you get caught you'd be in major trouble.
You will also have to buy liability insurance for yourself; that will be a prerequisite to almost anyone who would hire you at the rate that you are asking.
Figure the cost of your insurance, gas, taxes, and cleaning supplies out........how many houses will you have to clean at $100 a pop in order to turn a profit?
Yep...definitely this with the taxes.
And too...a dilemma my mom is currently facing - since she works for herself, she does not get paid sick or vacation time. All well and good, except now she's facing the possibility of knee surgery which means she'd be off for a while and with my dad retired, she's not sure she can afford to take this time away from working.
I would start by either working for a cleaning company - so that you can get some good techniques and pricing down or try to find your own clients before quitting your job. That way you can quit once you have enough clients and also you make sure it is what you want to do. Just because you love something doesn't mean you will want to do it for a career. Maybe it will turn into a side job to get extra money.
Once you branch out on your own you will need to still claim the money as self-employment income on your tax return so don't think this is going to be tax free income. But the plus side is you can write off all the expenses associated with it.
Cleaning houses and managing a small business are different things that will require different skill sets. Why not take this time to start to put the pieces in place to open your own cleaning business by contacting your local community college/YMCA/community center and trying to find some workshops/courses on entrepreneurship, getting as much money saved up as you can so that you can ride out the start up period, designing your business plan and logos, etc. so that perhaps you could be ready to go in about 6-12 months.
Do what you love, but do it right :-)
My MIL started an on-the-side cleaning business. She works FT M-F days but on the weekends for a few hours she cleans very small offices. It's only take a few extra hours and the money is good.
My advice is start with small offices. You can keep your day job and do the cleanings in the evening or weekends (which is when most office would want you anyway).
Personally I think starting a cleaning business is a great idea.