What do you do when your mate is doing it tough?

You could always just dump the cut wood at his place and tell him if he didn't want it, you'd pick it up in 3 weeks time. lol

AB,
I have read some the replis above and nodded yes whilst I read on.

I too was going to suggest some fresh veges and eggs as Rod did.

I had a similar event to Rosscoe. Mine was only two months ago, some friend were helping us do soe financial planning of budget, taxes, super etc. When it became apparent to them how little we had for groceries weekly. When about4 days later Dia walked out to mail box to finda couple of bags of veges hanging off it. There were some onions, sweet potato, carrot, swede, and some fruit. Only small amounts, but still a hell of a humbling surprise.We were eliminating who might have done this, family or friends. When we realised t had to be 1 of the ones helping us ith our finances.

We felt a little embarressed and sad. But we came round to realise that was not the intention of our friend, he wanted us to know he cared.We then felt humbled and knew we really did have friends that cared.

So I guess I am saing that is how yur mate will end up seeing it I'm Sure.


Tim

Thanks guys, I know what to do now...

His business is garden and home maintenance. It's hard these days when large franchises like Jim's Mowing can mow your bloody lawn for like $25. I don't know how those blokes even make any money by mowing a large lawn for $25...lol

I'll have to read these replies in more detail tomorrow.....Eyes are getting foggy....LMAO

Smack the prick in the mouth, tell him to smarten up, and give him some wood WHILST sitting down with him over a beer and talking through his issues.

I've been assisting someone (not going to say who because they read this forum) on and off for about 7-8 months now, and quite frankly he was just too busy wallowing in the sadness of the situation to actually think about doing something about it ... long story short, just like a bloke who's drowning, you stick your f:cking hand in the water and pull them out - if they wanted to die, stiff sh!t ... the world is a better place with them in it and as per your situation, others are involved and quite frankly, it's just plain selfish on their part.

This person is back on their feet, know they have a mate who'll make the right decisions when they can't, and fully recognises the hole they were once in.

He's a mate of yours, so helping him sometimes means hurting him in his mind even when you know you're doing the RIGHT thing. Responsibility (especially with kids involved) comes before pride ...

Someone had to say it boss ... sorry it was me, but that's the sad truth - I pray I have done enough right in my life to have mates good enough to do the same to and for me if I ever hit rock bottom ... you are one of those mates for this lad by the sounds of it, so do the right thing ... simple as that.

damn i was so close when i said to get him to mow your lawn haha

Mate of mine was the same, had a stroke and couldn't work for a long time as he worked for himself and had recently split with his misses so had nothing to fall back on, a few of us got together and went around for a BBQ and while we were there cleaned up, cut up a couple of trees that had fallen over ( made good firewood) and a couple of other things, then instead of doing the BBQ we took him to the pub for dinner and drinks and " forgot" to take all the BBQ meat when we left. Sometimes it's the only way to keep the pride in check! Anyway hope things work out for your mate and hope you can give without his pride getting in the way!

When all is said and done, who else is there when you are in the shit? If you have mates and I mean real mates, they will be there, regardless if you want them there or not.
Cheers, the ferret

After reading all the 'advice', I'm humbled! I nearly turned on the waterworks, too.

Sounds like your mate needs some help with business strategies. I'm guessing that winter time slows down a bit, so he may need to work smarter.
I know our lawn doesn't like growing in winter - less work for me.

I say this with all due respect..........at some stage/s in our life we all need help from somebody, and help from a mate is something special.
Please don't let your volunteering become an expectation - you'll eventually burn out.

There's lots of professional help out there, so he may need your encouragement to take the first steps towards getting it.

Take care out there.

Rossco

Great comments everyone, thank you!

Yeah It's an unfortunate line of work come winter it just dies!

Anyone around Melbourne area(I assume) need any gardening work done or know anyone who needs work done?
This situation is similar in Canberra, gardening work dies but the wood supply work just goes off as lots and lots of people have fireplaces. All he needs is a chainsaw and a wood supply. :)

Its ganna be a good day today