The Green Industry's Resource Center

32vld · #91 10-29-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durabird02

Interesting that you mention working an $8/hr job is stupid and i cant do simple math, but then later on you mention that you made a net of $10,000-$13,000 for the year. Hmm...seems like you COULD in fact trade your "high profile lawn care job" for a mickey D's job and break about even.

I'd rather do like birdseed did and break even and be my own boss then work at McD's.

DQL10 · #92 10-29-2012, 02:55 PM

We had a slight drought in VA and during that drought it was our busiest time of year doing other things on our properites. Bed clean ups, irrigation check ups, brush clean ups, pavers, the list goes on and on. In order to stay busy during things we can't control like rain fall and too much rain fall, we need to be diverse. Find new sources of income for the business. When your 800 dollar a month customer went to 10 then 25 dollars a month you should have asked if there was anything else that needed to be done on the property. For example, we send our customers the same bill each month. If for some reason we cannot mow that day we are there, we go around and pull weeds out of the beds, rake them clean, pick up sticks, and edge up the driveway, sidewalks, and beds. When we go back the following week, we end up having to double cut the lawn and will also edge everything again. Its all still a learning process but you cannot lowball. At the very least, your business must break even every month. From what I remember, the IRS gives you 3 years to show a profit. That is if you are paying taxes and have a tax id number and business license and all proper credentials for a legit business.

birddseedd · #93 10-29-2012, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DQL10

We had a slight drought in VA and during that drought it was our busiest time of year doing other things on our properites. Bed clean ups, irrigation check ups, brush clean ups, pavers, the list goes on and on. In order to stay busy during things we can't control like rain fall and too much rain fall, we need to be diverse. Find new sources of income for the business. When your 800 dollar a month customer went to 10 then 25 dollars a month you should have asked if there was anything else that needed to be done on the property. For example, we send our customers the same bill each month. If for some reason we cannot mow that day we are there, we go around and pull weeds out of the beds, rake them clean, pick up sticks, and edge up the driveway, sidewalks, and beds. When we go back the following week, we end up having to double cut the lawn and will also edge everything again. Its all still a learning process but you cannot lowball. At the very least, your business must break even every month. From what I remember, the IRS gives you 3 years to show a profit. That is if you are paying taxes and have a tax id number and business license and all proper credentials for a legit business.

I did get some other work. so i was able to still turn a profit. maybe not as much as what i woudl have without hte drought, but im only 1500 behind on my mortgage.

things will get better this winter.

DQL10 · #94 10-29-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 32vld

I'd rather do like birdseed did and break even and be my own boss then work at McD's.

True but how often is he breaking even? Every once in awhile, all the time, or once a year? Sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and provide for your family. Nobody should shun anyone for doing that.

birddseedd · #95 10-29-2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DQL10

True but how often is he breaking even? Every once in awhile, all the time, or once a year? Sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and provide for your family. Nobody should shun anyone for doing that.

my goal is to bring in 1300 per month. typicality i bring in a few hundred over that.

next year thatl have to go up quite a bit.

so im not getting rich yet. but im gettin there.

plus i get to bring wifey with me to work

DQL10 · #96 10-29-2012, 06:53 PM

I gotta ask and I apologize if this was already stated but is your wife covered by your insurance? Also what is your age?

birddseedd · #97 10-29-2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DQL10

I gotta ask and I apologize if this was already stated but is your wife covered by your insurance? Also what is your age?

29. and if you are asking as an employee im not really sure. my insurance has been a bit flakey. looking into another company

any recommendations?

Durabird02 · #98 10-31-2012, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birddseedd

my goal is to bring in 1300 per month. typicality i bring in a few hundred over that.

next year thatl have to go up quite a bit.

so im not getting rich yet. but im gettin there.

plus i get to bring wifey with me to work

Is the $1300/mo your goal for the company gross? or your wage that you are paying yourself, gross or net? Either way, that is not a lot to live on.