Reply to: First Ever Contract.......scared.....

[curtis]

I set myself a date to leave my permanent job back in 2008, saved as much money as I could before that time and then handed my notice in, it was the most scary but at the same time most exciting thing I have ever done work wise.

I have never regretted it, it is scary but I find the scary parts a bit of a buzz also as it wakes me up, keeps me on my toes, there is an underlying pressure regarding finding constant work but as long as you have a good war chest this helps although I find it does not take the pressure away completely but does make it a lot easier to cope.

The hardest thing for me is changing my mindset, I am physically a contractor but I have a while to go yet till mentally I am a contractor there are still things now 2.5 years on I react to in a permie mind or fret over too much when there is no need to, this (I hope) will change with experience.

[strawberrysmoothie]

I know how you feel. I was in the same boat 7 years ago. I was made redundant and made a decision after year of weekly re-organisations and never knowing if I was going to have a job from one to day to the next contracting was a LOT less scarier than being an permie.

The only thing I can say is there is nothing to be scared of but remember that YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. No one is going to take care of you or hold your hand. You're a commodity so treat yourself as something that can't be exploited - so say no to a contract if you have to. Don't act like a tw*t at the client site (I've seen contractors do that so many times and then wonder why they don't get a renewal), just be a decent person to work with and the client will most likely keep you.


Your going to make mistakes but remember to get your contract read by a specialist, find a good account. Never believe what an agent tells you and learn to negotiate.

[acontractor]

Congrats

I am in the same boat. I am being a perm developer since 6 years and now wants to land myself into contracting. I know many of my ex-colleauges have successfully tried it. (Not saying it will be a sucess for everyone) but would definately go for it.

This is one of the joy of working in IT in general

[Murder1]

Hi im new to the board for the same reason, this is my first contract and i was a little worried about it, pressure from the her in doors did not help but i can say that im very much happier, not becuse of the money, that does help but because im no longer stroking managment egos and worrying about the end of year bonus!

Now my work does the talking.

One month to go now and they are trying to renew which is a good sign, fingers crossed.

Ron

Congrats

[rocketron]

Hi im new to the board for the same reason, this is my first contract and i was a little worried about it, pressure from the her in doors did not help but i can say that im very much happier, not becuse of the money, that does help but because im no longer stroking managment egos and worrying about the end of year bonus!

Now my work does the talking.

One month to go now and they are trying to renew which is a good sign, fingers crossed.

Ron

[Murder1]

Had work sub-contracted to me whilst still working in permidom, however I've now signed my first contract. Money saved and very strong indications of renewals but scared still doesn't quite cut it.

Still, you live you learn.

[d000hg]

I'm really sorry that I've made you depressed. I've grown up learning to count the good things I've got (tangible and intangible) and not take them for granted and try to be positive.

I now see that I'm a bit unusual in being happy with having worked hard to become a high earner with a successful business. I'm going to add that to the list of good things that I have.

It's the fact that you claim you're 10X happier due to increase income that is depressing. Your happiness is very fragile if it is so dependent on these outside factors you cannot control.

[Barley]

I'm with Wanderer on this. It's not about being superficial or shallow, but having all this extra money does make me a lot happier.

It makes me happier that I can treat my wife. And buy my daughter new things (though I'm careful not to spoil her). It's nice that we don't have to worry about debts. And the money means I can realistically pay off my credit cards and loans within a year or so. It's nice not to have to worry about the car breaking down and dying. Because I have the funds to be able to pay for a new car if needed.

So yeah, more money brings more financial security (providing you don't live to your means) and so yeah, of course I'm happier.

Ive got to agree. Money doesnt necessarily make you happy but the security makes life a lot easier. Ive just had problems with my car and had the security to know I could have replaced it had the problem been worse than I feared. Being living a comfortable life and having money to be able to go out with friends when you want without worrying that you need to be budgetting etc all make life more pleasant.

[GillsMan]

I'm with Wanderer on this. It's not about being superficial or shallow, but having all this extra money does make me a lot happier.

It makes me happier that I can treat my wife. And buy my daughter new things (though I'm careful not to spoil her). It's nice that we don't have to worry about debts. And the money means I can realistically pay off my credit cards and loans within a year or so. It's nice not to have to worry about the car breaking down and dying. Because I have the funds to be able to pay for a new car if needed.

So yeah, more money brings more financial security (providing you don't live to your means) and so yeah, of course I'm happier.

[Wanderer]

Personally I find that a little depressing.

I'm really sorry that I've made you depressed. I've grown up learning to count the good things I've got (tangible and intangible) and not take them for granted and try to be positive.

I now see that I'm a bit unusual in being happy with having worked hard to become a high earner with a successful business. I'm going to add that to the list of good things that I have.

[d000hg]

being one of the top 2% of earners has made me an order of magnitude happier than when I was earning an average wage for a professional.

Personally I find that a little depressing.

But I detest people who are arrogant enough to say money means nothing, they would be just as happy without it, yet I don't see them giving any of it away.

Maybe they don't have loads of money to give away? Maybe they do give it away but don't feel the need to tell other people about it? If saying money is unimportant is arrogant, telling the rich what they ought to do with their wealth is equally so.

[Wanderer]

I just don't see why you can't have your pocket full of money and a faithfully loving wife

Exactly right.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say that I'm not one bit embarrassed to say (anonymously - I don't gloat to my friends who are less well off) that being one of the top 2% of earners has made me an order of magnitude happier than when I was earning an average wage for a professional. Seriously, I've got loads of the good stuff that money can buy, the house, the car, exotic holidays round the world, the toys and the gadgets. Money brought all that stuff and I love it all.

I'm also painfully aware that there a lot of things I have (or don't have) that money will never ever buy and they are the most priceless and precious things to me.

But I detest people who are arrogant enough to say money means nothing, they would be just as happy without it, yet I don't see them giving any of it away. They have no clue how to be happy with the good things that they have. You can still have a whinge every now and then but for goodness sake count your blessings (and that includes being a high income earner).

[MaryPoppins]

You sound young, hopefully with less to lose, take some risks now before the weight of responsibilities make it impossible. I could not believe companies were paying me so much for contracting that I kept my expenses same as when I was perm and stashed the rest just in case.

Quite agree. Yes, there is a risk - as with anything worth doing. Save, save, and save again. Save for the possibility of being out of work for a few months, and always have that possibility in the back of your mind. It really could happen, but - not necessarily. Save for the future you feel is so far away, and save for the unexpected.

After a while, you'll find you can save while starting to be able to buy the nice material stuff, too.

Good luck! People are generally nice here once they're satisfied you're not a tool. Post in the complete opposite style of ItsQuickerAntiClockwise and you'll be fine.

[d000hg]

Youre probably older and wiser.

28? But I agree about the wiser part... and don't kid yourself about the Ferrari.

oops, wrong thread...