childminding expenses

[MarkRuffaloCrumble]

I desperately want a Roomba - my laminate flooring is always dusty within moments of being hoovered and mopped. I have resorted to getting a cleaner once a fortnight to help me keep on top of the bathrooms and hoovering, but in between times, I am constantly sweeping (can't be bothered to get the hoover out and lug it around).

A robot vacuum would change my life! But at £250 ish minimum I was wondering if it can be at least partly put through my accounts as a business expense. Although the floors have always needed cleaning of course, they've taken more of a pasting since becoming a CM.

Get a neato. Much cheaper and is brilliant. I got mine for Christmas last year and have only hoovered the stairs since. We have wood and tiles downstairs and carpet up and it copes brilliantly.
We have a large dog who sheds a lot and 2 under 4.
I could not live without it.

Yes, actually Neato was on my list - they are the ones with the square front aren't they, which seems like it will do a better job in corners.

Any idea about whether I can expense it though?!

Maybe, it would be worth looking into.
Yes they have a square front so they go right up to the wall. They are noisy, especially on hard floors, bit ours is on either when we go out or up stairs bathing the kids etc. Ours was under £200and worth every penny.

hmm noisy might be a problem as I work at home all day and have an open plan house so no doors to shut!

I would think you can set some of the value against tax but not all. Do you have an accountant you could ask? I'd think 50% would certainly be reasonable.

I don't yet. I have emailed one who specialises in CM accounts, but they are busy with tax returns for the end of Jan at the moment so said to contact them later.

I guess I'm going to end up buying one either way, so if I can include it that's a bonus. If not, never mind!

Buttercup, I love you! I bought a Neato, charged it up last night and it is currently whizzing around hoovering while I am making myself a cuppa and writing to you

Oops it's found something under the sofa that doesn't sound good! Will rescue it and finish my tea before starting work and letting him get on with the rest.

My hallway already looks so much nicer - it is usually full of kids' clutter but I have taken the opportunity of it being empty to have it cleaned. Childminding parents will no longer see me as the slattern that I am! I can definitely justify it now, as not only do the CM kids makes most of the mess, but I need to look clean and tidy to appear mildly professional so clean hallway at least is a must.

I love my Neato. He's called Nigel and fab :)

Sadly I can't use him as an exspense but he's worth it

I would've thought you could charge a percentage to your expenses, not all, as I presume you'll use it to clear other rooms that are not used for childminding, or use on days that the children aren't there.