Plan B

[gables]

I'm sure that they do, but as most people who have done the business travel bit will testify, the novelty soon wears off.

Totally agree.

[Churchill]

I'm sure that they do, but as most people who have done the business travel bit will testify, the novelty soon wears off.

Yup, I concur.

[The Lone Gunman]

But don't most (normal) people travel to the same place each day, sit in the same seat, for a set number of hours and then go home?

You can of course do this by getting a permanent job, also you might be surprised that people probably look at what you do and think blimey that must be fun.

Just a thought.

You have taken that out of context with the rest of my post and this thread. My fault for not being clearer.

Most normal people do not get up at daft o'clock on a Monday to catch a train/flight to be at work in another country/city, live away from there friends and family all week and then do the reverse for the weekends.
Most normal people do not work ridiculous hours because Tues to Thurs to get enough hours in to make Mondays and Fridays shorter, though oddly enough living away from home helps as I have nothing better to do.
Most normal people do not exhaust the list of decent places to eat very quickly so that dining out becomes a (necessary) chore.
Most of all, most normal people do not have to keep watching their back to make sure they are compliant with ever more restrictive tax regimes.

I enjoy what I do and it is my choice to do it, but if there were another option (a plan B) I would take it.

[expat]

But don't most (normal) people travel to the same place each day, sit in the same seat, for a set number of hours and then go home?

You can of course do this by getting a permanent job, also you might be surprised that people probably look at what you do and think blimey that must be fun.

Just a thought.

Unless the only permanent jobs you can find are with software houses: who will send you off to the same clients to do the same work, but on their terms.

[gables]

You have taken that out of context with the rest of my post and this thread. My fault for not being clearer.

Most normal people do not get up at daft o'clock on a Monday to catch a train/flight to be at work in another country/city, live away from there friends and family all week and then do the reverse for the weekends.
Most normal people do not work ridiculous hours because Tues to Thurs to get enough hours in to make Mondays and Fridays shorter, though oddly enough living away from home helps as I have nothing better to do.
Most normal people do not exhaust the list of decent places to eat very quickly so that dining out becomes a (necessary) chore.
Most of all, most normal people do not have to keep watching their back to make sure they are compliant with ever more restrictive tax regimes.

I enjoy what I do and it is my choice to do it, but if there were another option (a plan B) I would take it.

I didn't mean to take it out of context or cause offense, so I apologise for my cackhandness of a reply.

But you did say in your original post that you wanted a plan B to live like normal people do. Well wouldn't a permie job nearer to home do just that, it'd take away all the points you mention above and it is what most normal people do, but do you really really want this? As you've said you enjoy what you do.

Personally I'd like a plan B so I didn't have to live like normal people.

[gables]

Unless the only permanent jobs you can find are with software houses: who will send you off to the same clients to do the same work, but on their terms.

Defo better to stay a contractor than do this.

[The Lone Gunman]

I didn't mean to take it out of context or cause offense, so I apologise for my cackhandness of a reply.

But you did say in your original post that you wanted a plan B to live like normal people do. Well wouldn't a permie job nearer to home do just that, it'd take away all the points you mention above and it is what most normal people do, but do you really really want this? As you've said you enjoy what you do.

Personally I'd like a plan B so I didn't have to live like normal people.

Wasn't offended, just trying to explain myself better. When I get into rant mode I sometimes don't say what I mean.

I was trying to provide one answer to a number of questions.
One was the point about being well paid, my counter was that I do all sorts of ridiculous things to earn that and that my costs are higher too.

I don't mean I want to live like normal people as in the employed.
I see other normal people running businesses.

I mean I do not want all the extra burden that being a contractor brings.
I do not mind the VAT stuff, or the NI stuff, I don't realy mind the travel (though the novelty wore off long ago).
What realy makes me want a plan B is the uncertainty of the tax regime I have been forced into and the increasing difficulty in turning a decent profit.

I do not like computers or software, I just happen to be quite good with them (I don't want to sound like I am bragging either) so I determined to make a living from them. I do not see why I am faced with all sorts of artificial barriers just because my talents landed in this field.
The peculiar way my industry works is seen as a reason to expose me to all kinds of legislation and prejudice that others, some in more lucrative fields, will never be exposed to.

I have worked very hard to develope a name for myself and after 10 years I finally got a call from an agent because he had heard of me. I landed my last contract because I have a reputation.
I do have a number of assets that my work has brought.
If I have made a mistake in the previous 6 years and not quite got the contract right, no matter how much I protest, no matter how much my clients, my agents or myself may state otherwise it could all be taken away from me because Gordon thinks I am not in business.

I try not to think about such things as it scares the tulip out of me.

Normal folks do not have such worries.