Anyone self employed?

[Tanya4beauty]

Just a question about whether you've done anything yet about maternity allowance. Just wondered if you have any info on how we go about claiming! Xx

 

[Jayjay027]

I was self employed but stopped working just before Christmas due to sickness.
I went to citizens advice about what to do and I was told to sign on for JSA, and when I'm 29 weeks they put me on income support.

Its not ideal, at all.

Wow I'm really no help at all lol sorry for this pointless post x

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[Tanya4beauty]

Thanks for replying! Bummer for you maternity allowance is only about £128 a week. I'm only going to have a couple of months off but I'm gonna claim what I can! I wish I could have longer but in my line of work the customers go elsewhere if you're off too long and it's hard to get them back once they're gone.
Will pop into my local citizens advice they can prob tell me what to do!
Thanks again xx

 

[TaffyRose]

Hey hun, yeah me and OH own our own business so I'm waiting for our accountant to get back to me with our options. Once she does I'll find this thread of pm you xx

 

[twinkles]

Hi Hun, I'm guessing from ur name ur in the beauty trade??? I own a salon and I'm in the same boat! I'm just in the process of planning ahead now, I can't take much time off as I won't have any clients left to go back to! If u fancy a chat let me know! X

 

[Tanya4beauty]

Thanks girls! Taffyrose anything you find out would be very helpful and twinkles yes I'm in the beauty trade, have my own salon too. Like you I won't be having much time off. It's one of the downsides of our trade isnt it?! I'm planning on taking someone on part time so I can go back 3 days a week so i can spend some time with my bubba! What are your plans? X

 

[twinkles]

Ha ha exactly the same as you!!! I went from mobile for 10 years to opening salon 6 weeks ago! Figured I can fit more clients in, work longer through my pregnancy as no carrying that wonderful couch and come back sooner! It's gone a little crazy since I opened, I'm working longer days than ever so thinking of taking someone on 2 days a week now so I can get 2 days off, then I will give them 3 days and I will work 3 days towards the end of my pregnancy, then I'm planning on finishing 2/3 weeks prior to due date and coming back about 6 weeks later for 3 days a week! If the therapist I take on wants extra days over my 8/9 weeks off then she can! I think it takes away the pressure for me to feel like I have to work until I'm in labour and then hurry back 2 weeks later!!!! Plus we get that £128 a week maternity which really means I could even just go back 2 days a week and the therapist can do 4! it's just finding the right person, I'm starting my hunt now!!! Is this along the lines of ur plans???x

 

[Tanya4beauty]

Yes exactly what I'm going to do although as I'm above a hairdressers and they shut on a Monday I normally do a five day week. I could open on a Monday and may think along those lines when I take someone on. I'm planning on finishing two weeks before mu due date and then having 2 months off after my due date. I work really long days too, I'm always accommodating people even when I'm fully booked but since being pg I have tried to be more strict with myself!! It's hard tho. I don't know about your customers but mine like to book so far ahead and it's really difficult as I have to explain to them that at 30+ weeks pg I'm not sure how I'm going to feel and whether I'm going to be able to cope with the 8pm finishes!! Most people have been good but I have had a couple who haven't been overly understanding on that one! I think they think we are robots sometimes!
Really glad your move into a Salon is going well, I must admit I never fancied being mobile due to the amount of kit you have to lug around! It's also better having a base as you can potentially earn more as you don't have all the travelling between.
Keep me updated xx

 

[twinkles]

Get that monday filled if u can Hun! I'm above a cafe/florest and they shut on a weds but I do open, I work 9-7:30 sometimes later 5 days then on a sat I try to get done by 5 so like you I'm far to soft with squeezing people in, since opening the salon is booked up 2 weeks in advance so I'm turning people away, another reason to take someone on part time so I can get a day off and still get the clients in!!!!

My clients seem far to organised too, my regulars have booked up every appointment until the week before my due date, which is end of sept!!! So again if I finish sooner but have someone to work these clients can keep these appointments! Also believe it or not clients have even booked their Xmas appointments as I'm not going to go back between Xmas and new year as i normally would but i will do the whole week prior instead of 3 just for that xmas week and then I plan to take 2 weeks off and actually enjoy this Xmas by having 2 weeks off until 7th jan!!! I know it's mad but I think in our line of work we are better planning ahead, even for Xmas! The sooner clients know our plans the sooner they can get used to the fact that we won't be on 24/7 call out anymore!!! 90% of my clients age amazing and are actually telling me to slow down (along as they get booked in!) but there are a few clients that will be a nightmare and think I'm just here to do their nails! I'm def getting better at saying no, I had a mc last sept so knew I would need to put myself first, luckily so far in this pregnancy I feel 100% normal so it's not been so bad!! X