Not-renewing tulipe gigs

[quackhandle]

I don't bin gigs mid contract but on a number of occasions, I've not renewed when the client wants me to, main reasons:

1. Coming up to two years
2. Fancied a change
3. Fancied a break (I try not to take hols during gigs so after a couple of years tend to need a decent break)
4. More money on a new gig
5. New gig closer to home

B

Out of approx 20 or so gigs there has been 3 that I have left for last two points on list above. As others have pointed out, it's professional to see it through and leave on good terms.

You could always get a higher daily rate or go back in the future on better rate. Edit: Like OG demonstrated.

qh

[Old Greg]

What do people believe a 'decent war chest' is these days?

24 months 'fixed cost' family expenditure - bills + food + kids clothes. I have two small kids for context.

[The Spartan]

This one runs till December at which point I think I'll turn down the renewal if one is offered unless they bump up my day rate, they have no clue here as to how to run projects

[heyya99]

Out of approx 20 or so gigs there has been 3 that I have left for last two points on list above. As others have pointed out, it's professional to see it through and leave on good terms.

You could always get a higher daily rate or go back in the future on better rate. Edit: Like OG demonstrated.

qh

Do you find that your current client will try to up, or match your new gig's offer? Or do they just let you go?

[quackhandle]

Do you find that your current client will try to up, or match your new gig's offer? Or do they just let you go?

Depends, some have let me go (usually as I'd trained someone up so they were happy) some have offered a bit more, but if I wanna leave, I leave; not to get a higher rate.

Am direct ATM, so be interesting to see how that pans out come mid Sept.

qh

[GazCol]

What do people believe a 'decent war chest' is these days?

12 months of meeting monthly fixed costs, no kids, no mortgage and other half is also a contractor through a different ltd, it should be less but I like having the peace of mind.

[vwdan]

What do people believe a 'decent war chest' is these days?

I'll be happy when I have 6 months of my current monthly expenditure saved and out of the way. No kids, though and the other half is in FTE. Once we've sorted a house, I'll probably top it up much further.

[I just need to test it]

Living in a silly place far from the world of IT, I am prepared to put up with all manner of BS just to be able to sleep in my own bed.

I say "am". I mean "would be". Sniff.

[psychocandy]

if i worked with a miserable twat like nluk id be out the door in minutes

[Scruff]

if i worked with a miserable twat like nluk id be out the door in minutes

I thought that you were his Sockie?