how do your family/friends feel about you being a contractor?

**Old Greg** · 1 March 2011, 10:20

Originally posted by robin View Post

I ask this as I find the biggest mental hurdle for me contracting is the views/comments of my family and friends through I think just not fully understanding contracting.

Its almost like they think this is just a temporary mad phase I'm going through and I will soon see sense and go back to a 'proper job'. I quit my permie job to go contracting and I got my first contract and got told "well they might offer you permanent which would be good to take".

I've had comments about 'not getting paid while off' even after saying well I get paid more contracting to cover for those times and have savings purposely built up to cover also, I get 'well thats a good job you do given you don't get paid when off!' in a sarcastic tone.

My other half earns a good wage as a permie and certain tones/comments makes me believe they are thinking I'm now having this great time working as a 'temp' and my other half is now having to cover me. I'm not very specialized so not earning mega dosh like some people on these boards but still earning more than when I was permie.

Anyone else has experience of this? I know I should not care what other people think but sometimes it drives me mad feeling I have to keep justifying my reasons/choices to go contracting.

As long as you and your partner are happy, don't let it bother you. But if it does, leave some business bank account statements around. They won't understand the need to pay VAT and other taxes so they'll think you're raking it in.

**d000hg** · 1 March 2011, 10:26

Get friends who are less concerned with judging you?

**sasguru** · 1 March 2011, 10:27

Well if you're not earning at least a 6 figure sum each year, you're a loser.

**shaunbhoy** · 1 March 2011, 10:32

Originally posted by sasguru View Post

Well if you're not earning at least a 6 figure sum each year, you're a loser.

But you only earn six figures because you count the first two places after the decimal point.

**d000hg** · 1 March 2011, 10:35

Originally posted by sasguru View Post

Well if you're not earning at least a 6 figure sum each month from each of your contracts, you're a loser.

MF.

**sasguru** · 1 March 2011, 10:41

Originally posted by shaunbhoy View Post

But you only earn six figures because you count the first two places after the decimal point.

There's a reason why you're poor.
Its because you're thick.

HTH

**alreadypacked** · 1 March 2011, 10:51

Originally posted by robin View Post

I ask this as I find the biggest mental hurdle for me contracting is the views/comments of my family and friends through I think just not fully understanding contracting.
I'm not very specialized so not earning mega dosh like some people on these boards but still earning more than when I was permie.

Anyone else has experience of this? I know I should not care what other people think but sometimes it drives me mad feeling I have to keep justifying my reasons/choices to go contracting.

What is your career plan?
How are you going to climb the next rung of the contracting ladder?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
How are you going to Bob prof your skill set?

These questions are not just for permies, if you don't think about them now in a few years time you will be on the bench.

Maybe it's you, who do just not fully understanding contracting.

**milanbenes** · 1 March 2011, 11:10

Dobbin,

you don't half ask some silly questions

Milan.

**Sands of Time** · 1 March 2011, 11:20

Never explain anything to anyone about anything.

Breaching Official Secrets Act.

Bing!

how do your family/friends feel about you being a contractor?