How would you deal with a drop income or being out of work?

**MarillionFan** · 6 January 2011, 12:31

If I'm out of work it's by my choice. Getting a contract is a piece of piss. Keeping it is another.

**minestrone** · 6 January 2011, 12:34

I contract specifically to be out of work for long spells. I have far more interesting things to be doing than work in IT.

**Tingles** · 6 January 2011, 12:37

I was 'resting' for 6 months in the Summer of 2009 - really, really awful.

Nothing about - I should have just gone away somewhere and forgotten about contracting.

Depressed - blaming self, although no real contracts.

AND I had enough in the warchest to see me through - God knows what it would have been like if I had money issues too.

I got ITILv3 Expert qualified.

If it happens again, I'll be much better prepared.

Tone

**alreadypacked** · 6 January 2011, 12:40

Originally posted by ChimpMaster View Post

I've always wondered: what's it like to have been contracting for a long time (without forced breaks) and then be out of work for a while (i.e. no work around). Does it make you feel down, like you should be earning but can't? Is it weird to suddenly go from a decent income to nothing? It is a struggle to del with emotionally?

I've always thought of contracting as a stop/start way of working, but now I've become used to the income which my company makes, and I think I would find find it hard to emotionally deal with a drop in income - almost like I'm not 'achieving' any more.

I ask in all seriousness because I'm wondering how I would handle the situation, when it arises.

I think I hace spotted your mistake, never live to 100% of your means in contracting. I live on 20-25% of my means. Then I take time off travel etc. That's why I am in contracting.

HTH

**ChimpMaster** · 6 January 2011, 13:02

Originally posted by Tingles View Post

<snip>
If it happens again, I'll be much better prepared.

Tone

--> I'm interested to know, how?

Originally posted by alreadypacked View Post

I think I hace spotted your mistake, never live to 100% of your means in contracting. I live on 20-25% of my means. Then I take time off travel etc. That's why I am in contracting.

HTH

I didn't mean financially dependent on the money, I meant more from an achievement point of view. I also invest/save/not spend most of the company income as there is no need to.

I guess it's like using earning power as a gauge for seniority or importance. Not sure if that makes sense to anyone

**MrRobin** · 6 January 2011, 13:12

Originally posted by alreadypacked View Post

I live on 20-25% of my means. Then I take time off travel etc. That's why I am in contracting.

Me too (well that's the longer term plan), but cripes, I thought I was pretty thrifty and can live on about 50% of means... and that's with no dependents. Either you are queen moneysaver or you can command a humungous rate. Either way, well done.

**Spacecadet** · 6 January 2011, 13:14

Originally posted by alreadypacked View Post

I think I hace spotted your mistake, never live to 100% of your means in contracting. I live on 20-25% of my means.

I too only live to 20-25% of my income
The wife how ever lives on the other 75-80%

**MarillionFan** · 6 January 2011, 13:26

Originally posted by Spacecadet View Post

I too only live to 20-25% of my income
The wife how ever lives on the other 75-80%

A range of 95-105%?

**KentPhilip** · 6 January 2011, 13:28

Originally posted by ChimpMaster View Post

I've always wondered: what's it like to have been contracting for a long time (without forced breaks) and then be out of work for a while (i.e. no work around). Does it make you feel down, like you should be earning but can't? Is it weird to suddenly go from a decent income to nothing? It is a struggle to del with emotionally?

I was out for a few months earlier in the year and it didn't affect me at all.
Mind you I've a big warchest and don't really need to work.

How would you deal with a drop income or being out of work?