First published in The Professional Mountaineer magazine, Issue 51 // Autumn 2025

The seasonal nature of outdoor work and why financial planning matters.

I’d like to start by thanking everyone who contributed to this article across social media, when I reached out to understand the questions on everyone’s minds, and invited suggestions from the hive mind on how they manage the seasonal nature of their income from working in the outdoors sector. There were some very insightful questions and equally unique solutions, some of which I’ll be taking forward as I lift my gaze from the boardroom to the next big peak of my career!

Know your seasons, know your numbers

The starting point for anyone needs to be getting an understanding of your personal circumstances. By mapping out your typical working year, you’ll be better able to understand what income you generate and when, and what expenses you incur throughout. When are your busiest months? When do bookings slow down? Use past years as a guide and estimate your average monthly income. Then, calculate your essential monthly expenses, food, insurance, etc. The goal is to ensure that your high-earning months can carry you through the leaner ones. A simple spreadsheet or budgeting app can help you visualise this. Think of it as your financial weather forecast.

Create a buffer fund

One of the most powerful tools for managing seasonal income is a buffer fund – a pot of money set aside during peak months to cover costs during quieter periods. Aim to build up at least 2–3 months’ worth of essential expenses. This gives you breathing room and reduces the pressure to take on underpaid or unsuitable work just to stay afloat. You might find putting a lump sum aside into a savings or investments account for a “rainy day” works for you. Another way to achieve this is to set up a regular savings account, depositing small amounts each month during your busy season, which matures towards the end of the season when you’ll need it. This way, you’re able to put money aside when your income is high and access it to see you through the quieter times.

Diversify your income streams

Once you’ve considered how you can spread your existing income out across the year, you might also consider ways to supplement your income either during the off season, or year-round. Start by thinking about what types of work you can potentially get with your existing qualifications; while you might not be able to operate in the mountains in winter conditions, can you leverage your wealth of knowledge and experience to offer training and instruction in more benign terrain, indoors or offer online services, during the off-season?

Are there any industries that require the same skills as your outdoor qualification? The events and hospitality industry often ramps up during holiday periods; could you use your climbing qualifications and experience to enter industries that require you to work at height such as rigging?

Many instructors supplement their income with part-time work in unrelated industries such as retail, hospitality, or education – one instructor told me they work two days a week in a supermarket to cover the essential bills (and it’s likely they get an employee discount on their shopping too!). Many outdoor professionals, like myself, enter the industry as a second career. I’ll always have my accountancy qualification to fall back on; consider whether there’s another trade you could explore, and if it happens to ramp up over winter when your summer work has dried up, even better… Broken boiler in the depths of winter sound familiar?

There’s no shame in this. In fact, it’s smart. Diversifying your income can reduce stress and give you more freedom to choose the outdoor work you really want.

Make the most of allowable expenses

Rather than spreading yourself or your seasonal income thinner, understanding what you can claim back as a business expense is key to keeping more of your hard-earned income. Here are some common (and sometimes surprising) examples:

• Office costs – stationery or phone bills or using your home as an office.

• Travel costs – fuel and parking

• Clothing expenses – uniforms and protective clothing needed for your work.

• Financial costs – insurance or bank charges

• Marketing – website costs.

• Training and CPD – refresher courses, workshops or guidebooks related to your business.

• Subsistence – meals and accommodation when working away from home.

Keep detailed records and receipts and consider using accounting software or a spreadsheet to track everything. Enlisting the support of an accountant will almost certainly pay for itself with advice on allowable expenses, as well as freeing you up to focus on what you do best – enjoying being outdoors!

Whilst not strictly a tip for managing seasonal income, do consider whether the off season is a perfect opportunity to upskill. You’ll be minimising the amount of lost income while not working, while setting yourself up for longer term gains by diversifying your skills for the future. There are a few rules around what you can and cannot claim here, so do get advice if you’re not sure.

Mileage contributions: What’s the deal?

If a company pays you a flat rate plus a “mileage contribution” (e.g., £140/day + £30 mileage), it’s important to understand how this is treated for tax. HMRC sees this as income, not reimbursement, so it’s taxable. However, you can claim actual mileage (currently 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles) as an expense, which helps offset the tax.

National Insurance: Don’t forget it

If you’re self-employed, you’re responsible for your own National Insurance contributions.

These come in two forms:

• Class 2 – a flat weekly rate (if you earn over a certain threshold).

• Class 4 – a percentage of your profits.

Even if your income is low, you might choose to pay voluntary Class 2 contributions to protect your entitlement to the State Pension and other benefits.

Self-employed vs limited company

There are advantages and disadvantages to being a self-employed sole trader vs setting up a limited company as a separate legal entity. As a self-employed individual, all your income comes directly to you, and you must manage your expenses and tax liabilities as they arise. As a limited company director, any revenue generated is attributed to the company, and you then have a few options for paying yourself including a salary, which reduces the companies’ profits and incurs a personal tax liability, or taking a dividend using profits generated after corporation tax is paid. Aside from the tax efficiency benefits, which you might want to consult an accountant about, this also gives you the ability to smooth your income out throughout the year by taking a regular wage.

Plan for the long haul

It’s easy to focus on the next job or the next invoice, but long-term planning matters too. Think about:

• Pension contributions – even small, regular amounts add up.

• Insurance – income protection, kit cover

• CPD and qualifications – investing in your skills can open new doors.

• Retirement plans – The outdoor sector is a very physically demanding career choice. Be sure to make plans for future income streams when your knees start to creak and your hips get clicky!

Final thoughts

Managing seasonal income isn’t just about spreadsheets and tax returns, it’s about building a sustainable lifestyle that supports your passion for the outdoors. It’s not always easy, but with the right tools and mindset, it’s absolutely doable.