Two contracts at the same time...now what?

[Viktor]

Jeez what a Friday!!! Phone ringing in all the time, after one and a half months on the bench (sort of - had a short contract in between). Now I'm going slowly towards a situation which I never encountered before (not in this form): two 3 monthers at the same time, and they can theoretically be done both!! (one is a night shift - could be flexible...).
The first contract has normal working hours and pays a good rate. The second pays slightly less, it's during night time, but could be flexible and the work seems less complicated (after one month, routine...)
So anyone can share experiences regarding two contracts at the same time, (not working from home)? I have several choices:

1. Clone myself
2. Subcontract the second one - but the rate isn't brilliant (although close to the medium market rate). I take this as the last of the options...
3. Do both!!! They are quite close one to each other (a few miles) so I can move close to the first one and commuting from the second would be during night time (no f*&^% traffic)...The combined rate in this case is huge
4. Dump the second one - hard decision - final interview for the first one more than one week away...
5. Take the second one and dump it after I get the first - I've never done this and it's quite unprofessional, better to avoid...

So, what the heck should I do? Decisions, Decisions...

[XLMonkey]

In my experience, running two contracts is haaaaard work, and best done if you can subcontract most/all of it. Depends on whether or not you're prepared to sacrifice the other bits of your life in order to get the extra cash.

[Viktor]

Thanks XLMonkey, I know it's hard work, I've done loads of that in the past, for less money. I am curious to know how others did two contracts at the same time, managing them succesfully till the end.
In this case I can move close to the first contract (the one with normal hours), commute 5 miles to the second (night hours, could be flexible), and survive until Christmas, when I intend to take a week break. Then survive for another month and potentialy renew just the first contract.
If this happens then I will have loads of dosh in February, but it's not just the money, it's like "I must try this, what the f*&^!!"

Anyway, not there yet, still have 2 final inteviews to pass!!!

[Ashwin2007]

Congratulations on getting two contracts simultaneously! Great!!

Anyway, not there yet, still have 2 final inteviews to pass!!!

What do you mean by final interview, is this a kind of familiarising with the new project team, or next stage personal interview?

[thunderlizard]

Get somebody to help out on one, or preferably a bit of both. Even goths need sleep.

[Cooperinliverp00l]

Are you going to fit any time for sleeping and social.....surly you will be working 18 hour days for 6 months .....rather you than me.

[Viktor]

We'll see...hopefully I can arrange flexible hours for the night-time contract. I don't want to take two contracts just for the money, it's that feeling of "feck me, if I can do this...". It will be a break during Christmas, and both are initally 3 monthers, so I can dump one in January...just curious to find out if there are contractors on the board with a similar experience

Viktor

P.S. I'll be in Tenerife after I've finished both, that's a promise!!!