Reply to: State of the Market

[rocktronAMP]

Midterm security I agree, but the certainty of a pay packet hitting your account at the end of the month, and for most at our level, a 3-month notice period is a nice warm fuzzy blanket for them.


A large war chest is the best security :-)

Also add set collection of clients and retainer opportunities :-)

[oliverson]

Great couples of posts chaps. Thanks

[SussexSeagull]

It’s a strange one. I think only those who’ve been in this position can really relate. When you’ve worked all your life since 15, how can you possibly change. 40+ years of habit. Hard to break.

I think the good things in life are made more enjoyable because they are a contrast to working.

I think to a greater or lesser degree most of us enjoyed 'the game' of starting a contract, establishing yourself quickly, doing your bit (hopefully well) then moving onto the next challenge. That has become increasingly difficult and in many cases impossible to do.

Really not trying to be the big I am because it has been a massive cut in money and had the contract market held up I would still be doing it but I changed career and found a different game to play and enjoy.

Either professionally or, if you can afford it, personally find something you can get your teeth into.

[Dorkeaux]

It’s a strange one. I think only those who’ve been in this position can really relate. When you’ve worked all your life since 15, how can you possibly change. 40+ years of habit. Hard to break.

I understand this, my father was the same.
He loved being a machinist, being in the Navy then being an Engineer.
He liked being an Engineer so much he got two degrees, Mechanical and Chemical.
But aside from my mum and beer, that's all he had. When he retired (forced out because of age and the sometimes prickly demeanour of the gifted) he had prety much nothing else going on.

However, (as I posted before) that is very distant from how things will go for me when I retire.
I love my work, but I don't do it to the exclusion of everything else. I have passions and interests that pay little or nothing. When I stop working, I'll advance these these with great joy.

Assuming we have enough money. That's always the rub, isn't it?

[oliverson]

I mean this in the kindest way possible ... you seem to change your tune as to whether you want to work or retire as much as the weather.

It’s a strange one. I think only those who’ve been in this position can really relate. When you’ve worked all your life since 15, how can you possibly change. 40+ years of habit. Hard to break.

[fatJock]

if I was that wonderful I’d be in contract right now wouldn’t I, so I would?

I mean this in the kindest way possible ... you seem to change your tune as to whether you want to work or retire as much as the weather.

[oliverson]

aye, you're wonderful, so you are. as you constantly remind us.

if I was that wonderful I’d be in contract right now wouldn’t I, so I would?

[sadkingbilly]

So, market still shocking and I'm sat here waiting for aforementioned consultancy coming back to me with an opportunity we discussed.

Meanwhile, out in sunny Spain <spanish tourist board crap deleted>

aye, you're wonderful, so you are. as you constantly remind us.

[TheDude]

Could be any news channel tbf. At least with GB News you don't get the likes of the BBC and Sky pushing out the government message constantly. Besides, I like the corny adverts!

What message do you think GB news are pushing out?

[oliverson]

Maybe stop watching GB news?

Could be any news channel tbf. At least with GB News you don't get the likes of the BBC and Sky pushing out the government message constantly. Besides, I like the corny adverts!

[TheDude]

So, market still shocking and I'm sat here waiting for aforementioned consultancy coming back to me with an opportunity we discussed.

Meanwhile, out in sunny Spain (it's rained just one day) coming up to a fortnight now and I'm starting to ease into it. I'm doing a lot of dog walking out here (24k, 17k, 18k steps the last 3 days), even more than back home, and it's even hillier than Yorkshire where I live, and much warmer. My morning routine involves walking the dogs around other phases of the urbanisation on which we live. Those phases are where the 18 hole par 3 golf course lives, along with the club house and a couple of parks. I'm stood at the top of the highest footpath of one of them with the sun shining and the Mediterranean glistening, and a slight cooling breeze, which is welcome as it's already mid 20's and set to climb higher again. There's a 360 panoramic view with 800m mountains right behind me, the sea in front and the golf course meandering through the other phases. As I call into the clubhouse on the way back I grab a coffee. 1 euro 90 including waiter service. This is the place I also call into on evening dog walk where a 330ml bottle of Estrella Galicia costs 2 euros 70, quite expensive compared to some places. The cost of living out here can be as high or as low as you want and the quality of life exceptional. Back at the apartment GB News is on the TV and it's a grim reminder of all that's happening back home and what will happen in the November budget. Makes you wonder if it's worth coming back doesn't it? Makes you think it might be a better idea to sell up back home and move here, promote the plan B and plan C to plan A and plan B respectively.

Maybe stop watching GB news?

[willendure]

FX Evolution. (2025, October 1). We Have Never Seen This Before… [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/MwgRgJnSwBA?t=141

[oliverson]

So, market still shocking and I'm sat here waiting for aforementioned consultancy coming back to me with an opportunity we discussed.

Meanwhile, out in sunny Spain (it's rained just one day) coming up to a fortnight now and I'm starting to ease into it. I'm doing a lot of dog walking out here (24k, 17k, 18k steps the last 3 days), even more than back home, and it's even hillier than Yorkshire where I live, and much warmer. My morning routine involves walking the dogs around other phases of the urbanisation on which we live. Those phases are where the 18 hole par 3 golf course lives, along with the club house and a couple of parks. I'm stood at the top of the highest footpath of one of them with the sun shining and the Mediterranean glistening, and a slight cooling breeze, which is welcome as it's already mid 20's and set to climb higher again. There's a 360 panoramic view with 800m mountains right behind me, the sea in front and the golf course meandering through the other phases. As I call into the clubhouse on the way back I grab a coffee. 1 euro 90 including waiter service. This is the place I also call into on evening dog walk where a 330ml bottle of Estrella Galicia costs 2 euros 70, quite expensive compared to some places. The cost of living out here can be as high or as low as you want and the quality of life exceptional. Back at the apartment GB News is on the TV and it's a grim reminder of all that's happening back home and what will happen in the November budget. Makes you wonder if it's worth coming back doesn't it? Makes you think it might be a better idea to sell up back home and move here, promote the plan B and plan C to plan A and plan B respectively.

[willendure]

Downside if obviously that when the market takes a downturn and you get on the bench as a contractor, getting off again can be hard. A permie can end up on the bench too, but hopes to carry through downturns and often does.

For me being a contractor means having more financial control but putting more money asside for the lean times. Also derisking - paid off my whole mortgage this year, even though I believe higher inflation is coming and that my debt was not overly expensive to service and will be inflated away. But it gets my monthly costs right down which will help me survive on the bench. I actually like this side of being a contractor because it has forced me to learn about finance and investing and so on.

I think the permie mind-set is more that you can't afford to be without a job, because of all the monthly debt service you have on your car and house. But its also simpler to not have to think about your pension and your entire financial situation so carefully. Being a planner and not a worrier is an essential contractor skill for me at least.

[Ketto]

Friends who are Perm are often questioning the lack of security as a contractor yet trundle on blindly oblivious to the fact that they're just a number and very easy to make redundant. Personally I find there's more security in contracting - at least you're more in control.

Totally agree, i’ve always felt much more secure.