How would you deal with a drop income or being out of work?

[cojak]

I was 'resting' for 6 months in the Summer of 2009 - really, really awful.

Nothing about - I should have just gone away somewhere and forgotten about contracting.

Depressed - blaming self, although no real contracts.

AND I had enough in the warchest to see me through - God knows what it would have been like if I had money issues too.

I got ITILv3 Expert qualified.

If it happens again, I'll be much better prepared.

Tone

WHS

It hit me harder than I expected, but I know better now and will also play it differently next time...

[Tingles]

IF it happens again...


I would take 6 months out and travel abroad for a month or so...

Also I would walk in the UK - Lakes, Peaks, New Forest and probably Hadrians Wall.

I would try and chill out - I cannot control the economy - it's not my fault!!

NOT look on Jobserve until the 6 months is up!


Tone (who has learnt his lesson)

[EternalOptimist]

I was tempted to make a joke here, to lift a gloomy subject. But then I thought 'what a fkng fine bunch of attitudes, and a fine bunch of blokes'
I wonder what they are saying on the public sector permie forum thread on the same subject ?

[Cliphead]

I've had a pretty good run with contracting over the decades but there have been lean times when gigs were just not there. Rather than dip into the warchest I'd look around for literally anything going.

Gigged with bands which I rarely do now and doesn't earn much anyway, worked on building sites as a labourer, been a pub bouncer, advertised locally fixing PC issues - actually can be quite a good wee earner.

Getting in touch with previous clients and bypassing agencies was useful at times, cold calling including leafletting local businesses also brought in some work.

Even during the lean times it's possible to survive and maintain a sense of dignity.

[MarillionFan]

Stop it. You're all depressing me with your tails of woe.

I want to hear stories of affluence & mammon!

[RichardCranium]

I want to hear stories of affluence & mammon!

If you want to hear about dishonest gain and effluence, try reading the annual reports of water companies.

[milanbenes]

well,

in april 2001 after my first 15 months of contracting was out of work for 10 weeks and at the same time lost 1k score on the .com shares so was very depressed, the worst was, as a young contractor with each day out of work all of my future dreams were fading away gradually day by day like the people faded away in the photograph on the back to the future film

finally, got an interview on the thursday and started on the monday and touch wood have not been on the bench since

the whole experience taught me a huge amount,

to respect the contractor money

not to throw it away

to make careful investments and not try to get rich quick

haven't touched shares since apart from a flurry in 2008 on a tip from a friend which was a pile of poo but only had a msall dable nothing serious

last ten years have lived the modest already packed way, living on approx 25 percent of the revenue and ploughing the rest into warchest, investments, bricks and mortar and plan b

thankfully, these days, if I was on the bench, I would not have to worry about cash so much and more focus on skilling up in the required currently in demand dot net technologies to get off the bench

as EO said, a very nice thread and very nice comments

all the best all

I have to say at the current client things are looking the most insecure that they have ever looked so it could be me looking for something new in a few months time !

Milan.

[KentPhilip]

..

[MaryPoppins]

all of my future dreams were fading away gradually day by day like the people faded away in the photograph on the back to the future film

What a charming turn of phrase you have

[milanbenes]

not trying trying to be charming, that simili sums up just how it was :-(

put the kettle on luv

ta

Milan.