Luke's story
Real advice from people who understand horticulture
When we shared Luke's story below, we asked for your ideas and advice about how to manage your money based on your own experiences, because hearing from others in the community can inspire those who have also chosen this wonderful industry to work in.
All types of horticultural professionals responded, including gardeners, landscapers, trainees and consultants sharing their advice and insights, which have been varied, thoughtful and rooted in real, lived experience.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to get involved. Below we've shared a selection of this feedback so everyone can benefit from the help and experience within our community..
Look at ways of saving money on the current outgoings... could the food bill be less, could the fuel bills be less? I'd also reassure Luke that lots of people are in the same boat.
Jennifer - Horticultural Marketing
Understand and know your overheads. Understanding these is crucial to surviving in the industry.
Paul, Garden Consultant
You may get some tax relief on items needed to do your job, look under 'claim tax relief for job expenses' on the HMRC website. I would get advice from a financial adviser about priority debts. Always pay these, such as your mortgage, council tax and energy bills.
Brian - Horticultural Consultant
When money is tight it can be really useful to make a list of every single thing you spend money on each month, Using a spreadsheet like Google Sheets can be extra helpful as it can add all the totals together for you. This exercise shows you really clearly where your money is going and where there is a chance of cutting back on any non-essentials to keep you within your income each month.
Anonymous
Contact the card provider and talk to them before the situation gets any worse.
Dan - Logistics Manager
Asking for help is the first step and there is no need to suffer in silence.
Matt - Landscape Consultant
Not paying your credit cards will damage your credit status....so get help from a debt adviser who can talk to your credit card provider to help manage payments in the best way. Use offers from lower rate credit cards to transfer your balance to a card with a lower interest rate or longer to pay. Get rid of any credit cards that you can to reduce the temptation to spend.
Brian - Horticultural Consultant
This may sound obvious, but you have to prioritise the bills that come in and then try to pay off those credit cards, that charge the highest interest first, as that will leave you with more to pay off the others. Eventually it will get better, but you must resist the urge to spend upon credit cards
Marc - Gardener
It looks like you may be a very good tree surgeon but perhaps lack financial knowledge. This is quite common in horticulture. You have made the right first step in reaching out to Perennial. They may be able to signpost you in the direction of help.
Alan - Horticultural Consultant
Ask for advice. It's free
Annie - Head Gardener
Luke's story
“Hi, I’m Luke. I’m a full-time tree surgeon. I’ve worked hard to get where I am and I’ve done alright up to now, but I’ve started to struggle a bit recently with credit cards which is stressing me out.
I had to buy a few things for work and the house which I put on credit, but because of the high interest rates what I owe is starting to get out of control. I can still cover our main expenses, but it’s definitely getting tighter each month. I need to take control before it gets worse and affects my partner and our daughter, but I don’t know where to start.”
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