Reply to: Wouldn't mind a new contract - what would you do?

[d000hg]

& how much difference does tax on travel make anyway? Let's assume travelling costs of £10/day, daily rate £500, extensions of 6m at a time. The tax on one 6-month-extension's worth of travelling would be about £10*5*26*40% = £520. Subtract the £500 you'd have made on the 365th day and you're less than a pony to the better.

How do I get £500 a day? I'd be happy paying tax on that...

[thunderlizard]

& how much difference does tax on travel make anyway? Let's assume travelling costs of £10/day, daily rate £500, extensions of 6m at a time. The tax on one 6-month-extension's worth of travelling would be about £10*5*26*40% = £520. Subtract the £500 you'd have made on the 365th day and you're less than a pony to the better.

[VectraMan]

Can you make it 1 year and 364 days? Something to do with the "once you know you will be there 2 years you can't claim the travel" rule?

[Someone correct me if I'm waffling, please.]

Two different clients, and by the time I get there, three different sites.

[BrowneIssue]

... They said yes for 4 months, which gets me through to the start of the new financial year, by which time I'll have been in work for 2 years straight.

Can you make it 1 year and 364 days? Something to do with the "once you know you will be there 2 years you can't claim the travel" rule?

[Someone correct me if I'm waffling, please.]

[VectraMan]

Today would have been my last day. I didn't really want to stay, but they were keen so I decided to up my rate and take a fatalistic approach - if they said yes then I would stay, if they said no then I'd do what I was going to do anyway. They said yes for 4 months, which gets me through to the start of the new financial year, by which time I'll have been in work for 2 years straight.

Every job has its good and bad times. This last week has been okay; maybe I'd have had second thoughts if I had been leaving.

[ladymuck]

To echo a lot of what's been mentioned above, I would see what is available in your line of work and put a few feelers out to agencies (if you use them!). I thought there was a reasonable amount when I left my last gig at the beginning of this month but have only just secured another post. This isn't a good time of year to be looking for a contract so if you can handle it for a bit longer you may find it easier to get more work Feb/March time.

Of course, if you can afford to take December off and put your feet up, then quit and do that instead!

[Dark Black]

Similar situation recently - end of contract coming up, nice office / location / good bunch (even the management - yes really) but very very boring work.

Was offered a 6 month extension but couldn't face that so in the end I extended for 3 months to get me through xmas, took a 2 week break at the start and with a week or two off at xmas it's really only 10 working weeks.

Various hols planned for a February anyway so this works fine - I get an extension under my belt (always looks good on the CV), client is happy as it gives him more time to source a replacement, I have work through the winter whcih will be enough to give me a few months off in the spring and start looking again in late March / April.

Everyone's a winner (baby)

[Troll]

Been tempted by a contract in Sudan. A charity is looking for logistics guys to head over there.

Top tip..don't call your lorry Mohammed
HTH

[shelby68]

I'm in the same boat as you not on a bad rate but working for a complete tool and not at all happy, I had made my mind up to leave In Dec when my contract ends but everyone is expecting me to stay and I know I can screw the agency for another slice of the pie as they've already had 42k off me in 9 months.

gotta go with what ever makes you happiest

[TheFaQQer]

Good stuff! Just, err, tossed and it looks like I'm leaving.

Are you prepared to have a break if you don't find something to go to?

If you need the money / want to work, then don't leave your existing contract until you have something definite to go to. If you aren't that fussed, and aren't happy, then you may as well go when the contract is up.

[dude69]

Starting to look in the middle of Jan. Been tempted by a contract in Sudan. A charity is looking for logistics guys to head over there. Its only £53 a day rate though...but might be what I am looking for.

At least I'll still be on more than AtW.

Don't forget your teddy

[tay]

I wouldnt leave, if you are new to contracting I would just stay settled till early next year and then you will have a nice settled record of your contracting start, and a bit more dosh for a rainy day.

3 Months isnt long and the market will be much better in Feb/March than Dec.

[monkeyBoy32]

Toss a coin. Seriously. You only live once. I know other people as well as me who do this.

Good stuff! Just, err, tossed and it looks like I'm leaving.

[Gonzo]

Toss a coin.

I agree. You can make a good case for either course of action, and you could easily end up regretting whichever of those that you take.

Trying to think it through is not going to help.

[thunderlizard]

Toss a coin. Seriously. You only live once. I know other people as well as me who do this.