Self Employed

[nailit]

a few weeks ago I posted a question which led to replies that I should perhaps consider going self employed (as a painter and decorator) I am a P&D by trade but as I now have back pain issues (for which I am on prescribed painkillers) P&D full time is not an option, a few days stretching can lead to a few days unable to leave my flat. However, the idea of being self employed appeals to me enormously. Since that last post, I have looked into the possability of been self employed (other than as a P&D) but there is absolutly no funding whatsoever and as I have zero savings am hardly going to go into business.
However one thing that I can do is make money from other peoples cast offs. I collect other people 'crap' and sell it on at car boots....and I dont even own a car.
I 'collect' and then either bung a mate a few quid for the use of their vehicle or make sure I have eneough to make it pay to hire a van for the day.
I once even did a house clearance (one of my mums friends who was panacking because the council wanted the keys back) when I didnt have a vehicle) I hired a van for the day, took all the stuff down a local car boot, made over 400 quid for myself, took the rubbish to the tip, give the keys back to the council and everybody was happy.
I know that I could be self employed but just dont know how to be. I dont have a vehicle or the funds to buy one and I dont know the first thing about tax, insurance etc.
Can anyone give me any simple, useful links to get of the clown car that is benefits?
Thanks.

[Retrochic]

set up as a sole trader -yu can do it here

https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader/register

once you have a business number they will send you a self-assessment tax return each year to fill in -its really easy just basically put in what you've made and how much its cost to make that (expenses)

You can apply for Tax Credits when you are self-employed and yo umay be able to get some sort of grant.

Good luck nailit -remember -where there's muck there's money!

[Gavmacp]

nailit,
I can't offer you advice but I wish you every success as I follow your posts and you often make me smile with some of your posts.

[Maydup]

There's some information on the serious bits here Nailit

https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself

Have you considered crowdfunding to help you buy a vehicle? Someone else here might know the best way to set that up in order to get the most exposure but you have a lot of support on here my friend and it is just possible you could convert some of it into cash.

[nailit]

bit late replying but thanks for replies guys.

[fairycakes69]

If you could get a van you could do skip runs and moving items for people. We have a local man who does this, earns his living through the power of Facebook and Facebay. He is so busy he has now taken on a young lad to help him.
Good luck .