Longest period of time on the bench

[DS23]

Seriously, things will look a lot worse next year when the question is again asked. Some of you are gonna have the chance real long holidays of lifetime, (if you can afford it). hope you've put something away.

is true. the primary goal when i started was to get enough money in the company accounts to be able to run a payroll without revenue for a decent period. my definition of decent period is at least a year and preferably two.

[scooterscot]

I started contracting for the lifestyle (after the money of course) and now enjoy taking extend periods of time off. My goal is to maintain 4-5 months a year away from the office.

I'd like to know how many of us spend as much as we earn. In my own situation I cannot justify spending a quarter of my monthly income, it would just be a waste.

[lilelvis2000]

I was on the bench 8 month in 2003-2004 and an on the bench again, two months so far.

Though this time is different as I'm trying to work from home office to avoid multi-hour commutes. I've got a maintenence contract and get odd jobs here and there...but nothing meaty so far. doubt I'll get more than £15K for the year...and that's assuming I get a couple more K before the year-end in January.

[wantacontract]

second week into a 4 week contract...

[zara_backdog]

This is my 3rd week and the longest bench time ever!

[KathyWoolfe]

I was unemployed from Sept 1998 to April 2001, then again from November 2005 until April 2007.

I start being on the bench again from monday.

[Cheshire Cat]

11 weeks this summer. In between my first and second contact. Must admit I did start to panic for a while.
Rate did increase though, so not too bad, although I certainly hope my future bench time is shorter.

[Rangster]

6 months during 2002/3 downturn. Used the time to learn SAP. Now earn triple my pre-SAP rate so it was not wasted time.

Just out of interest, what exactly did you learn and how did you go about it?

Thanks

[norrahe]

Benched since june, but 3 months of that was out of choice (travelling etc..)

I only really started looking in september, client wanted me back to do a year long contract on good money, only for client to turn round 3 weeks later to say the aint got the money.

[UKContractor83]

Longest time on the bench was 2 months, but again like most spent the time studying and adding to my skillset.