First Ever Contract.......scared.....

[Wanderer]

Personally I find that a little depressing.

I'm really sorry that I've made you depressed. I've grown up learning to count the good things I've got (tangible and intangible) and not take them for granted and try to be positive.

I now see that I'm a bit unusual in being happy with having worked hard to become a high earner with a successful business. I'm going to add that to the list of good things that I have.

[GillsMan]

I'm with Wanderer on this. It's not about being superficial or shallow, but having all this extra money does make me a lot happier.

It makes me happier that I can treat my wife. And buy my daughter new things (though I'm careful not to spoil her). It's nice that we don't have to worry about debts. And the money means I can realistically pay off my credit cards and loans within a year or so. It's nice not to have to worry about the car breaking down and dying. Because I have the funds to be able to pay for a new car if needed.

So yeah, more money brings more financial security (providing you don't live to your means) and so yeah, of course I'm happier.

[Barley]

I'm with Wanderer on this. It's not about being superficial or shallow, but having all this extra money does make me a lot happier.

It makes me happier that I can treat my wife. And buy my daughter new things (though I'm careful not to spoil her). It's nice that we don't have to worry about debts. And the money means I can realistically pay off my credit cards and loans within a year or so. It's nice not to have to worry about the car breaking down and dying. Because I have the funds to be able to pay for a new car if needed.

So yeah, more money brings more financial security (providing you don't live to your means) and so yeah, of course I'm happier.

Ive got to agree. Money doesnt necessarily make you happy but the security makes life a lot easier. Ive just had problems with my car and had the security to know I could have replaced it had the problem been worse than I feared. Being living a comfortable life and having money to be able to go out with friends when you want without worrying that you need to be budgetting etc all make life more pleasant.

[d000hg]

I'm really sorry that I've made you depressed. I've grown up learning to count the good things I've got (tangible and intangible) and not take them for granted and try to be positive.

I now see that I'm a bit unusual in being happy with having worked hard to become a high earner with a successful business. I'm going to add that to the list of good things that I have.

It's the fact that you claim you're 10X happier due to increase income that is depressing. Your happiness is very fragile if it is so dependent on these outside factors you cannot control.

[Murder1]

Had work sub-contracted to me whilst still working in permidom, however I've now signed my first contract. Money saved and very strong indications of renewals but scared still doesn't quite cut it.

Still, you live you learn.

[rocketron]

Hi im new to the board for the same reason, this is my first contract and i was a little worried about it, pressure from the her in doors did not help but i can say that im very much happier, not becuse of the money, that does help but because im no longer stroking managment egos and worrying about the end of year bonus!

Now my work does the talking.

One month to go now and they are trying to renew which is a good sign, fingers crossed.

Ron

[Murder1]

Hi im new to the board for the same reason, this is my first contract and i was a little worried about it, pressure from the her in doors did not help but i can say that im very much happier, not becuse of the money, that does help but because im no longer stroking managment egos and worrying about the end of year bonus!

Now my work does the talking.

One month to go now and they are trying to renew which is a good sign, fingers crossed.

Ron

Congrats

[acontractor]

Congrats

I am in the same boat. I am being a perm developer since 6 years and now wants to land myself into contracting. I know many of my ex-colleauges have successfully tried it. (Not saying it will be a sucess for everyone) but would definately go for it.

This is one of the joy of working in IT in general

[strawberrysmoothie]

I know how you feel. I was in the same boat 7 years ago. I was made redundant and made a decision after year of weekly re-organisations and never knowing if I was going to have a job from one to day to the next contracting was a LOT less scarier than being an permie.

The only thing I can say is there is nothing to be scared of but remember that YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. No one is going to take care of you or hold your hand. You're a commodity so treat yourself as something that can't be exploited - so say no to a contract if you have to. Don't act like a tw*t at the client site (I've seen contractors do that so many times and then wonder why they don't get a renewal), just be a decent person to work with and the client will most likely keep you.


Your going to make mistakes but remember to get your contract read by a specialist, find a good account. Never believe what an agent tells you and learn to negotiate.

[curtis]

I set myself a date to leave my permanent job back in 2008, saved as much money as I could before that time and then handed my notice in, it was the most scary but at the same time most exciting thing I have ever done work wise.

I have never regretted it, it is scary but I find the scary parts a bit of a buzz also as it wakes me up, keeps me on my toes, there is an underlying pressure regarding finding constant work but as long as you have a good war chest this helps although I find it does not take the pressure away completely but does make it a lot easier to cope.

The hardest thing for me is changing my mindset, I am physically a contractor but I have a while to go yet till mentally I am a contractor there are still things now 2.5 years on I react to in a permie mind or fret over too much when there is no need to, this (I hope) will change with experience.