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I am seriously thinking of going self employed, doing various jobs such as couriering, joinery and property maintenance jobs using my current car. I am a City & Guilds qualified joiner and did a 3 year apprenticeship.

I am currently signed off sick (again) with very high blood pressure (200/120) and stress, so feel that I have to do something about this as it is work that is causing it.

I have looked around on the net and currently jobs for joiners are in short supply, so my only way out is to go self employed, I am ringing a well renowned delivery company in the morning who are offering positions for self employed delivery drivers using their own car, delivering parcels locally.

If this is successful I will buy a cheap'n'chearful van and keep it well maintained, it will be used for both parcels and the joinery work, magnetic plates are available to put onto the side, so I can get some made up with my name ETC on to use whilst in joinery mode.

I have been working hard on the laptop developing tax return forms, using Serif Page Plus X3, that work out gross/nett earnings and tax returns automatically. Type in gross earnings and tax is deducted, showing nett earnings, as you work down the page gross/nett earnings and tax are added up at the bottom of the page, so making life a little easier when tax assessment comes around. I've also developed an expenses page, that adds up as it goes along.

This is a little scary for me to be doing after being employed by others all my working career, my current employment has lasted around 20 years, but they have not been very sympathetic towards my ill health, I got a nasty letter last week from them, not something you would expect as I have always worked hard for this company.

Are there others who are self employed on here, has it worked out for you?? I know, after doing a little research, that the first 2 years can be very hard, but after you have a customer base that becomes a little easier.

Right now I have several things on my mind, I need to get away from some of them and make a new start, otherwise the health problems could become major health problems, I've already been told that heart attack or a stroke could happen, I am on various medication to stop this happening.

Hi there - first of all, no job should cause you to get so ill, and threatening letters from your employers are not only making the situation worse, but are also illegal!  If you have a mind to, you are perfectly within your rights to take the matter up as a complaint/contributor to your current ill health.

Secondly, and more importantly, I wish you well in your venture.  Whilst I am still in the ranks of the salaried, my wife started her own small business some 5 years ago and has never looked back.  Yes, its hard work, but you have an incentive - no work, no income!  It sounds like you have thought it through but I would say, based on MrsSkotch's experience, it may be worth talking to an Accountant before you get into the role regarding tax: corporation,  personal (my wife is a Ltd Company), and most importantly, VAT.  A little invested up front will save you a lot of headaches further down the line as she found out (the hard way, unfortunately).

I'm sure there will be others with more direct experience who can add advice, but once again, good luck with it.  I'm sure you won't regret it

Skotch

Mrs. Mikinik also had her own business for 10 years and enjoyed it alot. It has it's share of stress too though, but it's a different kind of stress. The rewards and personal satisfaction are great. In the end she had to stop it because of health reasons. But it is a great alternative Lea, and I wish you all the best. Go for it!

Bob.

Thanks for the replies, I have been reading up and it would seem that if you don't earn over 64k a year you don't pay VAT, correct me if I'm wrong, and am not likely to earn this kind of money, it would be nice to think that after a few years I can . Also you can pay NI by a monthly direct debit.

I have a doctors appointment in the morning, seeing if I can return to work, and if so will return Monday and probably hand my notice in, it has got that bad. >

Yes, there is a VAT threshold.  The last time I knew what it was it was around £58,000 but it's probably changed.

Sorry to hear about the BP problem Lea. Hope the Doc gets you on the right medication soon.
            It can be a bit hit and miss getting the dosage just right. I'm on ACE inhibitors, just take my word for it, if the pressure drops too low it feels bloody awful.
                As a skilled craftsman making the decision to work for yourself should prove to be highly profitable....the best of luck with your endeavours.