need a little help here..

[haynestotallawn]

guys, I am in my first solo year. I am doing it part time and also in the process of building a new home. Needless to say money is tight with moving expenses, not to mention the wife wants new furniture for the new house and all. We are currently staying with my mother in law (:( ) and are paying half the bills, plus I am maintainin her yard. So we are able to save a little money right now. Now here is my problem, business is growing, and I want it to grow more and more, so I am in need of upgrading my existing equipment (Trailer, mowers, edgers etc.) but the wife wants to hang on to extra money for extra furniture for the new house. How can I convince this woman that more business means more cash flow which means more for "things" for the new house? I just need to spend a few grand, with the work I have I can replace that in a few weeks time. Thoughts, suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[Barkleymut]

Tell her you are investing in the Future not the Furniture. My wife also has a passion for furniture. I think men must put their foot down every once in a while to let the women know who wears the pants in the house.

[FrankenScagMachines]

I think men need to put their feet down every once in a while to show who wears the pants in the house
Well do it carefully! It's ok to wear the pants but just don't step on anyone's toes while you're at it! Sometimes we men don't see where are feet are when we're so high up with those pants on....

[maple city]

Well...
As a wife I will tell you that after 7 years of marriage, my husband and I just bought our first new set of furniture. We had hand-me-downs before that. I never pushed him to buy new furniture, I knew we'd get it when we could afford it. Before we bought the furniture, we bought our equipment. I knew it was important to our family to get the business going, so furniture would have to wait.

She should want you to make your business successful. Go and buy what you need.

[coonman]

I agree, tell her you are investing. But since you are part time it will be a hard sell to her. The only other thing I can tell you is don't jump the gun and buy lots of equipment that your situation may not warrant. I have been following a good friends business model. He has been in business 4 years full time now. Here is is equipment list. Toro-proline 21 inch, two trimmers, one edger, one blower and one pickup (no trailer). He makes $300 plus a day.

good luck

[Turf Technologies]

I agree with coonman. Buy it slowly, one thing here and one thing there. Also we have been going for over 20 yrs now and a lot of our edgers and trimmers are atleast 10 yrs old, we only upgrade if one goes down for good.Just maintain what you have and it will last a long time.

[Flex-Deck]

Are you looking at a WB or ZTR or what - You can buy a narrow WB - add the Flex-Deck for very little more for an extra 18" of width that does the trimming and contour mowing - here is a pic of an old - very old eXmark 36" WB (Now mowing 54") in transport position to get you thru the gates, and the next post will show it in mowing position which is 54" (Check out the difference between a 36" WB and a 54" WB, and I think we are very reasanble because we give you much more in the trimming and contour mowing areas, and if you want to do a good job, that is where it is at). If you want a ZTR, check out Dixie Chopper - they have the Flex-Deck.
http://36-Trans

[Flex-Deck]

This is a 52" eXmark with the Flex-Deck - Under trees - the 36" would also go under the trees
http://52-Under Trees

[Patrick Harvey]

Hey flex,
Could you please post some pics of the quality of cut on actual turf? I like the idea. Does it articulate well into ditches?
pat

[Flex-Deck]

Pics were taken early this spring, but it does mow well - here is one in a ditch
http://52-Flexed in Ditch

It will mow well up to 45 degrees in the flexed up position - it drops 10 degrees so you can hang it over banks and ponds etc

[haynestotallawn]

Thanks for the replys everyone. I guess I should clarify a little. I am looking at a custom trailer (to hang trimmers, etc. on) to carry all my equipment around in, one that will be big enough to carry the larger mowers, when I get to that level of business. Although I do have a trimmer to replace that would be the only (I hope) other expense right now.

Flex I really like the 36" WB just got to have something for it to ride on.:)

[Jimbo]

Haynestotallawn,

Here is the answer to your question.

What you need to do is get a piece of paper and something to write with (or better yet an excel spreadsheet). Write down the jobs you have, when and how much $ they will bring in, and make a list of any jobs that you have turned down in the past months.
She is going to need this on paper in order to understand and except your decision. She is already convinced your wrong before you start verbally trying to justify yourself, and shes probably too busy arguing to listen. You need it in black and white...I almost guarantee she will agree when you are finished showing her on paper.
Although there are two critical points. One is showing the jobs you have currently and how quickly you can recoupe the investment, and 2nd how many jobs you have turned down because you do not have the necessary equipment.
If you haven't been turning jobs down then maybe you should re-think this yourself.
I usually get the jobs before I upgrade my tools even if it means spending more hours on a job than I should at first. Many jobs that originally took me 2 hours now take 1.5 hours etc.

SHE WILL UNDERSTAND WHEN IT"S ON PAPER! GOOD LUCK ;)

[CSRA Landscaping]

Mark,
Have her call Leslie, my wife, and I think she'll see some light. :D

[SLS]

Jimbo:

Great idea! The most efficent way to get the idea of "it takes money to make money" in on good ol' paper.

haynestotallawn:

Good luck to you in this mission. All I can tell you is that this is my third year as a full-time LCO and when I swiched from a 42" riding tractor to a 60" ZTR it only took one season to almost TRIPLE my income. If production mowing is your objective...productive equipment is a must. You must convince the little lady that better(more productive) equipment allows you to do more accounts...thus more steak dinners and trinkets for her! My wife is enjoying her birthdays, Christmas, and our anniversary a WHOLE lot more now than she was just 4 years ago. :D

[rodfather]

Get her "involved" in the business...anyway you can. Explain to her that you need to spend some money to make a lot more money down the road.

It isn't rocket science, believe me.

Just my 2 cents

[TJLC]

I must be one of the lucky ones. My wife really does not question me when I purchase new equipment. I guess she figures I must really need it. She also knows the more I make... you know the rest. LOL.

[The Lawn Choupique]

You might have to consider up grading to a new wife. It sounds like you are planning for the future, and like any purdent business man, knowns the importance for re investing a portion of the profits back into the business. Does not seem like you and your wife have a lot in common.

[ADMowing]

I agree with Maplecity and Rodfather -- I'm the wife in the family and help my husband (team out there together every day) in the business. We have all hand me down furniture now, but we bought a new enclosed trailer and ZTR for the business because I know that with these items we will have less maintenance and can make more money. This will help us get good furniture in the future (without settling for something that we don't really want just to have new furniture).

Get your wife involved at some level even if it is doing the paperwork -- Another good idea!!! If she is involved, she will see the potential of the business in the LONG run -- not just what she wants NOW! It takes some patience, but if you want to own the furniture without having to make payments on it and get what you want -- the peace of mind is worth the wait.

Also, we just bought our house on 5 acres and everything comes in time. It took a LONG time to get to the house buying point!!! I realize that I can't have everything I want immediately. So, the furniture and other "things" will have to wait. Also, being self employed has its advantages. We don't work for "the man" anymore. We make some sacrifices because of it, but we are much happier.

Just my thoughts. :) Good luck to you in your endeavors!!!

[haynestotallawn]

IT WORKED!!!! Yippee!!!!

I sat down with her, showed her the numbers and we worked out a compromise. Which really worked out well for both of us.

Not only that, she is helping do the "business" side of things while I do all the field work!

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions they were a blessing!

[CSRA Landscaping]

That's great, Mark. i think you'll find things will go very smoothly with her doing the administrative stuff while you handle the marketing and manpower. Good job!

[ADMowing]

Cool Beans, Mark!!!

Your wife is part of the team and it is a real good feeling -- for both of you! You both are invested in your time, your work and your future together!!! There is a LOT more understanding that way!!! :) Good luck to both of you! God Bless!!

A & D Mowing