How long is a long time to be on the bench?

[ChimpMaster]

Exactly what I've been thinking - I'm gonna be bored rigid if I have to retire - I don't mind working till I drop, I like what I do but I do feel I want to try something else - Plan B is in progress...

I'd like to run a beach side bar in a nice hot country. I'd also like to leave the wife here in London and have her visit only occassionally

Seriously though, whatever the dream or ambition, my thinking is that you need to get to that point while you still have some life left in you. When we were younger we would see rich old men driving by in flash cars and think "what's the point at that age", and so the same premise applies. Of course, it's probably the case that 98% of the population don't get to chill out or do what they really want to, by any age, but I'm not even thinking along those lines for myself. I would love to be in a position to choose my own path - without any remorse - by say the age of 45. Financial freedom permitting, of course.

Bigger house, flashier car, designer clothes, yes you can always have more but the happiest memories in my life (apart from my kids being born) are from living in a single bedroom at Uni, with just enough money to get by on and with all the friends I ever wanted.

[psychocandy]

Out of interest, how much warchest have you all been able to build up per year of contracting?

I've been back contracting 15 months now, and in that time, I reckon I've built up about 10 months worth of warchest now. Paid off some debts, had holiday, done some work on the house as well mind but I did get a few quid redundancy payment.

Prob wont be happy until I've got at least 12 months warchest to be honest. At least then I wont start panicking until Im on the bench for a few months....

[BlasterBates]

When I retire I plan to setup a Jazz band as would be befitting my age....but of course there would be nothing stopping us turning the amplifiers and blaring out raucous Rockabilly when everyone's p***ed. So the Jazz band will just be a front for a raucous rockabilly band. That's one of the advantages of playing Rockabilly is that on the surface you can appear to be a respectable Jazz band.

[Rabotnik]

When I retire I plan to setup a Jazz band as would be befitting my age....but of course there would be nothing stopping us turning the amplifiers and blaring out raucous Rockabilly when everyone's p***ed. So the Jazz band will just be a front for a raucous rockabilly band. That's one of the advantages of playing Rockabilly is that on the surface you can appear to be a respectable Jazz band.

Haha, quality!

[Scoobos]

I just had 9 months off before I started looking, and via a crap contract ended up in a decent one after 12 months.

Problem for me isnt how long "I" think it is, but how long clientCo hiring managers and those ruddy spotty faced burger flipping carphone warehouse agents think ....

In 2005, I took a whole year and 2008/2009 another 18 months.


I'd take a year off with no qualms, if I needed it - or anyone i knew needed help; but this last one scared me - as its a real recession out there IMO and it was very scary to live through for the last 3 months of it.

[Kelstar]

Been out now since beginning April; quite enjoying the free time. On the second day after the split went to post a letter and was asked by a nosy elderly neighbor why i wasn't at work - told her (and most other people) that i was working from home; seems to pacify the poor dears. Had Mother in law on phone the other day (phone mistakenly picked up) telling me that she knows how hard it is to find work - and she has a minimum wage job. Irony is 1 month of my working = 1 year of hers

This made me laugh. I just finished up my contract and have lost count of the number of pity looks I have received and reassuring words. I can't seem to figure out why they haven't noticed the big smile on my face and large quantity of shopping bags on my arms. I'm benched and enjoying it - 3 weeks so far - holiday, gym, garden. Its a nice life. Have my next gig lined up (subject to checks) so going to enjoy the next couple of weeks till I go back to it!

My standard line is I have some time free between clients. To which a nosey parker in the gym replied "oh so you weren't sacked".... just gotta laugh

[psychocandy]

Bench time is great IF you've got something else lined up. Couldnt think of anything better than having 3 months off knowing you've got something to go to (and assuming you can afford to last these 3 months financially).

However, any amount of bench time is not enjoyable if you've got the stress and worry of finding something else.... I found that even though I'd spend 2-3 hours each morning looking for contracts, on the phone etc I felt guilt then if I did something else in the afternoon.

[SueEllen]

However, any amount of bench time is not enjoyable if you've got the stress and worry of finding something else.... I found that even though I'd spend 2-3 hours each morning looking for contracts, on the phone etc I felt guilt then if I did something else in the afternoon.

Why?

As long as you are actually looking and can answer your mobile phone whats the problem if you are doing something else?

[northernladuk]

Bench time is great IF you've got something else lined up.

Surely this isn't bench time? You sure you are not confusing the meaning of bench and waiting to start work?

[psychocandy]

Why?

As long as you are actually looking and can answer your mobile phone whats the problem if you are doing something else?

Just pointing out that its difficult to relax totally until you have something lined up.