12/08/2026
The Last Few Months 💪
Man…
what a rough couple of months it’s been.
Back in April I injured my shoulder moving house, which put me out for 3 weeks kinda I managed to water blaster mums cow shead one handed for there inspection didn't help .
Being in my second year of business has already brought plenty of challenges I definitely wasn’t expecting!
Over the last 3 months I’ve had multiple late payments — some 60+ days overdue, with some invoices over $1,000. I’ve still got one ticking over at more than 90 days while waiting for bonds to be returned and things to be finalised through court.
Then came my first provisional tax bill — basically pre-paying tax for the 2027 tax year. 😳
That was honestly the biggest bill I’ve ever received in my life I almost fell over 🫣😂
And with it needing to be paid by 20th June, and in 3 payments
things quickly got pretty tight. With late invoices coming in, the business float got to the point where it was almost literally nothing .
And just to add another headache to the mix, I also somehow managed to get locked out of my work Facebook profile and Messenger until today .
😂 Not exactly ideal when Facebook and Messenger are a big part of how I communicate with private clients!
With RJ’s Property Maintenance being my sole income it was a pretty scary place to be.
There were definitely moments where I was questioning whether being self-employed was worth it.
And then, right in the middle of everything, my grandfather passed away.
That meant packing a bag, jumping in the rover and heading north to Gisborne to help bring him home.
One thing I will never take for granted about being my own boss is having the freedom to be there when family needs me.
No leave forms.
No asking a boss for time off.
No worrying about whether I’m allowed to take a week away or go pick the kids up when the school calls
I could simply call my clients, explain I was going to be away for a week,
and go be there for Mum and the family.
It was also awesome to meet new family — aunties, uncles and cousins — and learn more about our family history.
There were some bloody good laughs too… including sleeping in the tray of my sister’s Ranger because we could 😂
And then there was her getting hungry 18km out of town at 1am and deciding McDonald’s was absolutely necessary. 😂 Something we'll never forget! But when little sis asks I feel I have too and she paid 🤣😂
Once he was laid to rest a couple days late as it was a long weekend, it
was straight back into work.
Three house cleans the first week , and helping Mum get Grandad’s house emptied and cleaned,
all while keeping up with my normal monthly work and school pick ups .
It’s been 3 solid months of grinding and stress, but I’m finally almost caught up again.
With another 4 cleans coming up this months and 2 more booked in this week for next , I’m confident RJ’s Property Maintenance will be back up and in the green in no time. 💪
This year has definitely tested me — physically, financially and personally — but I’m still here, still working, still growing and still pushing forward.
A massive thank you to my Mum and stepdad for helping me keep afloat with diesel and everything else while I was having to practise my juggling skills between invoices getting paid .
❤️
And to my partner — thank you for putting up with me being stressed, grumpy and worried and all over the place the last few months. 😂❤️
I honestly couldn't have done it without yous.
Also massive thank you to all my regular clients and everyone who has supported RJ’s Property Maintenance through the ups and downs.
Onwards and upwards! 💪
