Holidays and IT Contracting

[slice16]

I completly agree with NLUK. What is the point in working as hard as we do with the risks involved and not enjoy the extra money it attracts?

Whenever I have wanted to have time off, I simply let the client know that I will not be available on some dates. I give them enough notice and work around any commitments (go-live etc) and they are fine with it.

[stevejames]

My take on this is simple but maybe im in a unique position. I don't take holidays. Ever. I actually enjoy what I do - a lot. Happy to be there.

I will take a holiday in 4 years when that damn mortgage is paid off and financial freedom is achieved.

No matter how much you are earning, you can always spend just as much.

[jmo21]

However, if those same friends told me they were playing golf on Saturday and it was going to cost me £500, I'd probably say no.

And you can be sure they'd never be suggesting that in the first place!

[jmo21]

My take on this is simple but maybe im in a unique position. I don't take holidays. Ever. I actually enjoy what I do - a lot. Happy to be there.

I will take a holiday in 4 years when that damn mortgage is paid off and financial freedom is achieved.

No matter how much you are earning, you can always spend just as much.

Are you single?

My missus would never let me away with that, but then I'd never want to do that either.

And I do enjoy my job. But only to a point. And I especially love it (the work, and the fact I contract) as it allows me fantastic financial freedom.

[Scruff]

I take on average 8-12 weeks off per annum. I enjoy the time off and use it to recharge my batteries. I work to live, not live to work.

[psychocandy]

I will agree its a difficult situation sometimes. Theres the thought that in contract, to make hay while the sun shines sort of thing sometimes but this is dependant on warchest a lot. Then again like others have said, work to live etc.

Personally, I used to be a bit anal about it and not taking too much time off but now just get used to it. After all, got to look after yourself and family first. Sometimes I find your better off taking the odd day to keep yourself sane. Just got to look at it as necessary.

With me, with ill wife, sometimes I do have to take the odd day. Just got to accept it. If I pushed it and refused to do so, then the whole thing would possibly fall apart and that''d be the end of contracting.

I did a count and found out that I took 32 days plus bank hols this current year which surprised me.

Stevejames - hmmm. Fair play to you enjoying work that much but I reckon you must be single. Nice to pay off mortgage etc but no holidays..... :-(