On the bench!

[gigahoe]

I think this depends on your location and your industry. As someone London based and with a history in Finance and on specialist projects (DC migrations) there seems to be a steady stream of roles coming in, certainly better than the end of last year. I also seem to be getting a lot of specs for roles around Reading, Theale and around the two big cities north of the wall.

[flamel]

I think this depends on your location and your industry. As someone London based and with a history in Finance and on specialist projects (DC migrations) there seems to be a steady stream of roles coming in, certainly better than the end of last year. I also seem to be getting a lot of specs for roles around Reading, Theale and around the two big cities north of the wall.

3 years of continuous work and warchest only 3 months big? You're clearly spending more than you should.

Yes - call it alimony

[psychocandy]

The bench is a wonderful place to be, so why not (if you are inclined to find another role) spend an allotted time or times each day searching for one and outside of that ENJOY YOUR TIME. People spend far too long worrying about the next role to enjoy their time off. Three weeks into your next contract, you'll look back and say "I wish I was on the bloody bench" or at least "I wish I'd made more of my time on the bench".

Always said the perfect thing for me would be to be on the bench and get a gig starting in 8 weeks paying loads.

8 weeks to relax and chill.

Otherwise, I cant enjoy it because Im stressed about getting new gig.

[Gaz_M]

3 years of continuous work and warchest only 3 months big? You're clearly spending more than you should.

I really don't like people saying this kind of thing.

Unless you know the poster personally how do you know their personal circumstances? Everybody's different & everybody has different outgoings. Because you can build a substantial warchest doesn't mean everybody can.

[jmo21]

I really don't like people saying this kind of thing.

Unless you know the poster personally how do you know their personal circumstances? Everybody's different & everybody has different outgoings. Because you can build a substantial warchest doesn't mean everybody can.

While there is truth to this, contracting is not easy to do with a small warchest.

If your situation changes such that you will only ever have 3 months warchest, either something majorly bad has happened, or you are living outwith your means.

And by outwith your means, that would include keeping a large warchest.

[northernladuk]

I really don't like people saying this kind of thing.

Unless you know the poster personally how do you know their personal circumstances? Everybody's different & everybody has different outgoings. Because you can build a substantial warchest doesn't mean everybody can.

Am not so sure about that. I don't think there is anything wrong with raising a warning flag in case the OP doesn't know. Even if the OP's outgoings are so much that he really can't afford to build a warchest there is still worth a mention. Maybe not in those exact words though.

Saying that the OP does seem to be aware of the situation he is in to be fair.

[flamel]

Am not so sure about that. I don't think there is anything wrong with raising a warning flag in case the OP doesn't know. Even if the OP's outgoings are so much that he really can't afford to build a warchest there is still worth a mention. Maybe not in those exact words though.

Saying that the OP does seem to be aware of the situation he is in to be fair.

Yes - I know the situation - in the old days I used to manage 6m - 1 year as a pot but with an ex wife and HMRC threatening to raid bank accounts, I just rely on continuous work - which is a total f*&%er when I'm on the bench.

The other thing I notice is that when I am on the bench, my outgoings seem to increase as a result of having time off work to go and spend it.

[Gaz_M]

Yes - I know the situation - in the old days I used to manage 6m - 1 year as a pot but with an ex wife and HMRC threatening to raid bank accounts, I just rely on continuous work - which is a total f*&%er when I'm on the bench.

The other thing I notice is that when I am on the bench, my outgoings seem to increase as a result of having time off work to go and spend it.

Time to put Plan B into operation.

I always keep 6 to 12 months in the warchest but I have noticed my bench time increasing more & more in between gigs (mainly due to me specialising in old technology). My Plan B will be in full operation by summer/autumn this year.

[flamel]

Time to put Plan B into operation.

I always keep 6 to 12 months in the warchest but I have noticed my bench time increasing more & more in between gigs (mainly due to me specialising in old technology). My Plan B will be in full operation by summer/autumn this year.

What is your plan B?

[Willapp]

What is your plan B?

Step 1) Launch product/website/mobile app.
Step 2) Money.

Same as everyone else I suspect