Depressed - Husband driving Taxi

[dolphinsiah]

So Sorry to hear what you are going through.


You mentioned that your spouse just started the taxi job for 2 weeks.
Maybe he should adjust his driving time , lower his earning target per day.

If your spouse is so used of driving as a career , maybe he should look for jobs related to driving like working for SMRT, SBS , Private Bus Company.

I think for above jobs he needs to upgrade his driving license.

40 years ago , my uncle was a full time taxi driver.
He managed to bring up 4 kids and own 2 private landed properties.
But this is 40 years ago!

I guess every now and then we have to adjust our lifestyle when something happens.

Like me, when late spouse was around . Going for Holidays trips is Yearly Affair . Now is 3 years then 1 trip.
All trips is always by SQ. Now the cheapest airline will do. :evil:

Family Car was always Big Luxury European Car.
Now our transport - BMW
BUS/ MRT/WALK!

So must be strong , Good or Bad -Life is Just a Cycle!

Take Care! :xedfingers:

[Beatrice_NoQ]

Yep, I have heard of many families pulling through even with the sole breadwinner as a taxi driver. It can be done. Why not suggest for him to split his shifts? He can drive night shifts for maybe 3 days where the fares are doubled. Especially on weekends, there is a constant (and I mean constant) demand for taxis along the clubbing districts of clarke quay, boat quay, river valley, etc.

[wifey2014]

Hi, thanks for "listening" to my story and sharing your views. Appreciate that.

Both of u are right. Yes, we need to adjust to the change. I will share with hubby about your suggestions of adjusting working time and the splitting of shifts (that is a very good suggestion beatrice!).

I suppose I also need to give him some time to learn the ropes and adjust his own driving preference etc. If things still don’t work out then will consider changing job.
Hope things will be better. Thanks!

[dimsum]

Hi wifey2014, based on the sharings of some taxi drivers when they chit chatted with me, I believe your hb does not need to work 7 days a week and driving 14-15 hours a day. According to them, it is about working smart and not hard. Those who earn good income told me they don’t aimlessly drive on the roads to search for customers. Seems like they have a small network and secure regular bookings from corporate customers. Many work around 10-12 hours a day and have relief drivers.

My uncle, a retiree (close to 70 yrs old) drives less than 8 hours a day (and not daily) to pass time. I don’t know how much he earns but if he can drive for fun, I am sure it is enough to cover the rental and petrol.
Recently, I read about this taxi booking app (Sorry, cant remember the name) that is getting popular in Singapore. Taxi drivers who signed up with it get attractive incentive for accepting bookings . This taxi driver that was interviewed said his monthly earnings have increased. Perhaps you can ask your hubby to find out more and sign up too.

[auntieM]

Hi wifey2014,

How about getting your DH to check out those cabby forum where they chat about 'strategy' and pick up some tips.. ...
Can also try make friends with those seasoned cabbies over coffee where they hang out.. ..

[BeContented]

auntieM:

Hi wifey2014,

How about getting your DH to check out those cabby forum where they chat about 'strategy' and pick up some tips.. ...
Can also try make friends with those seasoned cabbies over coffee where they hang out.. ..

Agree.
My BIL friend quit job & became cab driver. He says quite good biz & doing pretty ok. Must know when & where to go ie. he used the word 'strategize' & dun be 无头苍蝇. On timings when biz is generally bad, he takes some rest to recharge. And he works only 5-6 days per week.

[dimsum]

Wifey2014, the taxi booking app that I mentioned earlier is GRABTAXI. Even temasek invested in it.

http://grabtaxi.com/singapore/?gclid=CN ... jgodunIAMA
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/ta ... masek-unit

[dimsum]

auntieM:

Hi wifey2014,

How about getting your DH to check out those cabby forum where they chat about 'strategy' and pick up some tips.. ...
Can also try make friends with those seasoned cabbies over coffee where they hang out.. ..

Wow, there is cabby forum!

[jetsetter]

wifey2014:

Hi, thanks for \"listening\" to my story and sharing your views. Appreciate that.

Both of u are right. Yes, we need to adjust to the change. I will share with hubby about your suggestions of adjusting working time and the splitting of shifts (that is a very good suggestion beatrice!).

I suppose I also need to give him some time to learn the ropes and adjust his own driving preference etc. If things still don't work out then will consider changing job.
Hope things will be better. Thanks!

hi wifey2014

Which taxi operator did your DH hire his cab from? If it's Comfort Delgro/City Cab or SMRT, there should be some internal advertising platforms to matchmake principal hirers like your DH with relief drivers. I know the former operator offers diesel rebates for their hirers.

Has he joined the National Taxi Association yet? It might be useful to join this to widen his social network so that he can find a long-term partner to share the cab/slit the shifts. http://www.nta.org.sg/activities-54/recent-events/164-share-a-taxi-workshop.html

Once DH gets into the network, he might come across good corporate or tourist lobangs that could help reduce his plying hours?

As a self-employed person, your DH will need to top up his Medisave savings on his own. Did u know that MOM/CPFB has this \"Drive and Save\" scheme? http://www.nta.org.sg/drive-and-save-scheme