Finances 2007
Overview
David Irving's finances in 2007 were characterized by severe instability, constant cash flow problems, enormous housing costs, and the gradual reconstruction of income streams through online book sales and speaking events.
Major Financial Challenges
Housing Costs
Housing represented the single largest financial pressure:
- Lake End House Windsor: £8,000 per month rent (approximately $300 per day)
- Hotel costs: £80-120 per night during housing search period
- Moving expenses: Multiple relocations, storage costs, transport of belongings
Banking Situation
- Primary account: NatWest Trowbridge, frequently in overdraft
- Typical overdraft: £3,000-5,000 regularly
- Account transfers: £10,000 moved to Parforce euro account
- New banking: Barclays account established for Parforce UK Ltd
Income Sources
Book Sales (Growing Throughout 2007)
Traditional distribution:
Online sales breakthrough:
- irvingbooks.com launch: Developed by Bob Simpson
- Daily sales growth: Started modestly, reached $500+ days by November
- PayPal integration: Added multiple payment options
- International pricing: Automatic exchange rate calculations
Sales progression:
- Early 2007: Struggling with distribution
- Mid-2007: Website development
- Late 2007: $200-500+ daily online sales
- November peak: $1,000+ weekly sales
Donations & Support
- Monthly donors: Regular contributor system
- Credit card donations: Authorize.Net processing issues
- International supporters: Various currencies and methods
- Speaking event donations: Entry fees for talks
Legacy & Gifts
- Vincent Bolger legacy: £4,100 (originally expected £5,000)
- Immediate impact: Exactly offset by Jessica's school fees (£3,900)
- Various smaller donations: $50-250 range typical
Major Expenses
Legal Costs
- Multiple active cases: Trustee claims, solicitor negligence, defamation
- Court fees: Filing fees, service costs, legal representation
- Document recovery: Costs related to retrieving seized possessions
Family Support
- Jessica Irving school fees: £3,900 annually
- Jessica pocket money: £20-50 per visit
- Benté Hogh credit card: £1,000 limit (reduced to £200 stated)
- Family travel support: €500 to Beatrice Sheldrick for Australia-Europe travel
Technology & Business
- Website development: Bob Simpson payments for irvingbooks.com
- Internet access: BT broadband, mobile internet, backup connections
- Computer equipment: Mac repairs, software, peripherals
- Printing & shipping: Book production, postage, packaging
Daily Living
- Food & restaurants: Regular meals at Spaghetti House, etc.
- Transportation: Petrol, train tickets, taxi fares
- Clothing & personal items: Basic necessities during reconstruction
Banking Details
Account Structure
NatWest Trowbridge (Richard Davies):
- Primary UK account
- Regular overdrafts
- £550 typical balance after £5,000 legacy deposit
Barclays (Paul Bowman):
- Parforce UK Ltd account
- Account details: 207174 53370046
- Accepts cheques for multiple business names
US Accounts:
- TIB account: ~$1,450
- First State: ~$50
- PayPal accumulation account growing throughout year
VAT Issues
Customs & Excise complications:
- £1,939 refund withheld due to missing returns during imprisonment
- Fraudulent £15,000 claim filed by unknown party
- Administrative delays affecting cash flow
Monthly Budget Estimates (Late 2007)
Essential Costs
- Rent: £8,000 (Lake End House)
- Jessica school fees: £325 (£3,900 annually)
- Benté credit card: £200 (official limit)
- Basic living: £1,000-1,500 estimated
Income Targets
- Online sales: £200-400 daily goal
- Speaking events: £500-1,000 per event
- Donations: £500-1,000 monthly hoped for
Credit Card Management
Benté Hogh card access:
- Original limit: £1,000 (practical for emergencies)
- Stated limit: £200 monthly (November 2007)
- Typical usage: £200 monthly actual
Personal cards:
- American Express final account: £301 (disputed)
- Various payment processing for business
Cash Flow Patterns
Daily fluctuations:
- Morning: Check overnight sales and donations
- Afternoon: Banking, transfers, bill payments
- Evening: Planning next day's financial priorities
Weekly cycles:
- Weekend speaking events providing cash injections
- Monday-Wednesday: Lower sales periods
- Thursday-Friday: Preparation for weekend events
Monthly pressures:
- Rent payment stress: Required £8,000 on specific dates
- School fees: Quarterly pressure points
- Legal deadlines: Court fees and filing requirements
International Complications
Currency management:
- Euro accounts for European operations
- Dollar accounts for US supporters
- Pound sterling for UK operations
- Exchange rate monitoring for pricing
Visa delays affecting income:
- US visa complications preventing lucrative American tours
- Canadian police report delays (120+ days processing)
- Lost speaking tour revenue: Potentially thousands monthly
Financial Relationships
Supportive
- John Hastry: Free accommodation in Belgium
- Paloma Irving: Free accommodation in Madrid
- Paul Bowman (Barclays): Understanding banker
- Richard Davies (NatWest): Accommodating overdrafts
Problematic
- Faktum Verlag: €1,500 overdue since November, ignoring correspondence
- Bath Press: Storage costs accumulating, 21 pallets at £15 each
- Various solicitors: Outstanding bills for incomplete work
Year-End Assessment
By December 2007, financial situation showed improvement:
- Stable housing: Lake End House secured through January 2008
- Growing online sales: Approaching sustainability
- Reduced hotel costs: No more expensive temporary accommodation
- Improved cash flow: Daily sales providing working capital
Cross-References
Notable Quotes
On housing costs (2007-08-31):
"As my house rental from Monday will be $300 a day, I have to pull my socks up..."
On legacy vs. school fees (2007-06-01):
"it comes to £4,100 (we were earlier told by them to expect £5,000), and came in the same post as a school fees demand for Jessica, £3,900. Which as expected exactly wipes it out."
On daily sales growth (2007-11-28):
"Income yesterday on Internet was $500. Not bad."
On financial pressure (2007-02-28):
"Needless to say, I am getting increasingly poor and I have to start earning money again, preferably very soon."
On banking relationships (2007-09-03):
"I am indebted to you for holding the fort."
Notes
The 2007 financial picture shows David Irving's remarkable resilience in rebuilding income streams despite enormous pressures. The transition from complete financial chaos in early 2007 to stable daily online sales by year-end demonstrates both the potential of internet-based business models and the importance of persistent effort in financial reconstruction. The high cost of maintaining dignity (£8,000 monthly rent) versus income generation created constant tension, but the foundation was laid for more stable operations in subsequent years.