Reply to: How Low Can You Go?

[Sub]

To me the lowest possible rate is the one that generates substantially more take-home income than benefits (all that I can possibly get) would do. While I have never earned less than I'd spend and never got close to prospect to live off benefits, it is really does not make sense to spend 8-10 hours working for what you could get doing nothing.

Low rate to me is the rate that allowing sustain the current lifestyle, but does not allow to save anything. This, together with option when I'd still burning through savings just on a slower rate is only sustainable when there are realistic prospects in future, like building a client base for a new business, developing IP you going to sell or transitioning to sustainable permanent position - something I know going to bring more income. Taking a low paying gig to wait for market/economy to "recover" or the interest rates to come down or some financial miracle to happen is just being stuck in the denial phase.

[hobnob]

As a variation on the theme, I got an email from Hays this morning, offering a 2 month contract at £18.51/hour (inside IR35), which is about £140/day. That's above minimum wage (£11.44/hour), but still pretty low by contracting standards!

However, this line is interesting:
"We have just registered an Interim Field Service Engineer, which requires current SC Clearance or the ability to be SC Cleared. The project is starting in March, due to completing clearances."

It's unusual to see a contract that offers time in advance to apply for SC clearance, and the low rate might be worthwhile just to get that clearance, especially if it's only for 2 months.

[Ketto]

Got an interview? Just chuck that pizza in the bin and head on over.

”£800 a day is it? Well, of course i’m interested it’s just i’ve got a load of pepperoni passion and chicken tenders to deliver you see…”

[NotAllThere]

Years ago I did a gig where I was a 1 hour 45 minute communte each way twice a week and 3 days on site further away the rest of the week. The commute was brutal but I preferred it to the nights away as I had a young family at the time. Managed it for about 9 months and I think the only thing keeping me going was the fact the communite was better than staying away 4 nights a week. Thankfully since Covid I've mostly been WFH 99% of the time.

Pah. I did Brentwood to Stockley Park (half way around the M25 and back) every day for two years. Typically 3-4 hours a day on the road.

[ladymuck]

Now that's pretty low!

http://www.jobserve.com/bDB9O

Program Manager
6-Month Contract
Location: London - 3 days onsite
Rate: £415 - £455 per day/inside IR35
Start & end date: 6th Jan - 29th August.

Ready to lead high-impact design projects at one of the world's most innovative tech companies?

Our client is seeking a Program Manager to support critical, cross-functional design initiatives. You'll collaborate with Design and Ops leaders to drive strategy, streamline processes, and deliver key projects that shape the future of their products. This is your chance to manage complex programs, foster collaboration, and make a real impact on a global scale.

What You'll Do:

• Lead and support high-priority design initiatives across teams.
• Develop project plans, coordinate virtual teams, and ensure smooth execution.
• Partner with leadership to align on goals and drive key decisions.
• Manage design sprints, reviews, and other fast-paced, impactful efforts.
• Optimize collaboration processes and improve team dynamics.
• Communicate progress, handle documentation, and track tasks.

What You Bring:

• 6+ years in program or project management (design/tech experience is a plus).
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to drive results.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and complex programs.
• Highly organized, proactive, and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Flexibility to work with teams across EMEA and the US.

[rocktronAMP]

Was this Sky in Osterley?!

[dsc]

Years ago I did a gig where I was a 1 hour 45 minute communte each way twice a week and 3 days on site further away the rest of the week. The commute was brutal but I preferred it to the nights away as I had a young family at the time. Managed it for about 9 months and I think the only thing keeping me going was the fact the communite was better than staying away 4 nights a week. Thankfully since Covid I've mostly been WFH 99% of the time.

Damn that's a tulip mixture indeed, although perhaps gives you a bit of a breather from the commute? I was doing 1.15hr on average each way 5 days a week, it was also middle of summer, being stuck in traffic on the M25 / M4 was just killing me. So much wasted time and life...

[willendure]

I've considered that before (e.g. I was applying for pizza delivery jobs a couple of years ago), but there's a gamble: if you take on this new role, you might not be able to chat to recruitment agencies during the day or take time off for interviews.

Got an interview? Just chuck that pizza in the bin and head on over.

[hobnob]

Regarding the original question, I think there are 2 variations:

a) You make enough to pay your bills, but it's lower than you were on before, and you might have to postpone your holiday, renovations, etc. This can be sustained indefinitely.

b) You earn less than you spend, so this is a "slow puncture". It might mean that you can eke out your savings to last 6 months rather than 3 months, but eventually you will run out of money. I've considered that before (e.g. I was applying for pizza delivery jobs a couple of years ago), but there's a gamble: if you take on this new role, you might not be able to chat to recruitment agencies during the day or take time off for interviews.

[pjt]

I've done a circa 1.15hr one way for 3 months and bailed at the end. It just kills you in the long run (if you have a family especially), but back then I had the option to do something better paid and closer, so it was a no brainer. In the current market...I'd still consider it as it's still money. Still, you say "at least" 1.5hr, that's like 3.5-4hrs a day...not really commutable in my opinion. Perhaps rent a room locally and see if that makes any financial sense?

Years ago I did a gig where I was a 1 hour 45 minute communte each way twice a week and 3 days on site further away the rest of the week. The commute was brutal but I preferred it to the nights away as I had a young family at the time. Managed it for about 9 months and I think the only thing keeping me going was the fact the communite was better than staying away 4 nights a week. Thankfully since Covid I've mostly been WFH 99% of the time.

[TheDude]

I am considering an inside gig 25% lower than my previous role. It will more than keep the lights on, stop me burning through my warchest and hopefully the market will have picked up a bit by renewal time

[dsc]

Have any of you ever considered, or even done, a regular long commute on an Inside IR35? When I say "long", I mean at least 1hr 30 mins one way .

I've done a circa 1.15hr one way for 3 months and bailed at the end. It just kills you in the long run (if you have a family especially), but back then I had the option to do something better paid and closer, so it was a no brainer. In the current market...I'd still consider it as it's still money. Still, you say "at least" 1.5hr, that's like 3.5-4hrs a day...not really commutable in my opinion. Perhaps rent a room locally and see if that makes any financial sense?

[Snooky]

I'm not keen on you effectively shaming those people like me for whom £400/day has been their average rate for the past 10 years. I don't consider that I have debased myself - it is all I have been able to get, and I didn't consider it to be a low rate.

I agree, perhaps they didn't mean it to sound supercilious and condescending, but that's how it came across to me too. Everyone does the best they can under the circumstances and plenty of people in this country would leap at the chance to make £400/day.

[edison]

Have any of you ever considered, or even done, a regular long commute on an Inside IR35? When I say "long", I mean at least 1hr 30 mins one way .

Does every couple of weeks count?

I'm doing an inside gig for first time ever in 11 years contracting. It's 95 miles one way which takes me around 2.5 hours to drive. I do the trip twice a month and stay over for a couple of nights each time in a cheap AirBnB. It's effectively knocking about £20/day off my rate across the month but it's bearable in the absence of an alternative outside gig.

[Fraidycat]

Indeed, but it would probably be worth doing this whilst looking for a permie role.

No brainer really. If its IT work that matches your skill set.


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