Reply to: taking holidays

[Ivor Bigun]

How does slaving away to increase the profits of some capitalist oligarch constitute a better way of life than, say, working just as much as one needs to be able to relax and enjoy time with one's family?

You won't be able to enjoy your "quality time" in the cemetery you know.

The dilemma is this - All contractor hollidays are costed out of the spare cash at end of year. Taking a holiday makes a huge difference.

If you're on a mission to make a lot of money in a short space of time, you have to do at least a 3 year stint with minimal breaks. Of course, you need the acceptance of your partner to do this. It may not be worth it otherwise.

IMO, its a mistake to think of contracting as a career.
Its best to think of it as a footballer does and save for your (early?) retirement.

Its all about goals. Do you want to work all your life?

Nothing beats the feeling of paying off a large mortgage.

[Archangel]

Worked 216 days in the last year, so about 6 weeks off.

Without holidays I would go crazy. Always like to have the next one booked before I get back from the current one so there is something to look forward to.

[Hiram King Of Tyre]

I really really hate that attitude!

It says "I was not put on this planet to make an effort and achieve something. I was put here to do the bare minimum to make my own life hassle-free".

It's not far from "why work, when I can claim income support?"

Sorry matey, you've totally missunderstood

[Bumfluff]

Agreed you should take holiday no matter what, I worked non stop for approx 4 years and in terms of relationships its cost me alot. I've learnt my lesson now and you only live once, holidays, family etc are more important than £ in the bank...unless if you go on holiday you cant pay the mortgage

[NotAllThere]

I plan to work 200 days per year. I also have an income target. If I have to work more days to hit the income target, then so be it. Otherwise, I don't worry about it. I work more days if the client asks nicely.

In the first half of this year, I've had 37 days off - including statutory holidays. That's been a quite a few long weekends and two weeks of ski holiday.

Last year I worked 206 days.

One of the best defences I've got when they offer me a permie post is that I don't want to give up my days off.

[Gonzo]

I work to live not live to work. Holidays I take just delay my retirement

Yes but you need to hedge your bets. You would be mightily ****ed off if, having dedicated your life to working so that you would be loaded for your retirement, you cark it a few weeks before your retirement date. That does happen.

[Charles Foster Kane]

You won't be able to enjoy it but other people will. You can leave behind a charitable foundation, or the cure for cancer, or a business that will provide employment for people, or all sorts of things that mean your life has done some good.

Relaxation and your own enjoyment are a depressingly low ambition.

Hot chicks, Italian supercars and driving your speedboat around Monaco in blue skies and sunshine is a hard cross to bear.

[thunderlizard]

You won't be able to enjoy it but other people will. You can leave behind a charitable foundation, or the cure for cancer, or a business that will provide employment for people, or all sorts of things that mean your life has done some good.

Relaxation and your own enjoyment are a depressingly low ambition.

[NickFitz]

I really really hate that attitude!

It says "I was not put on this planet to make an effort and achieve something. I was put here to do the bare minimum to make my own life hassle-free".

It's not far from "why work, when I can claim income support?"

How does slaving away to increase the profits of some capitalist oligarch constitute a better way of life than, say, working just as much as one needs to be able to relax and enjoy time with one's family?

You won't be able to enjoy your "quality time" in the cemetery you know.

[chris79]

Works for me.

Judging from posts in another thread here you either a) need a holiday, b) need to top your glass up more often, or c) tell porky pies.

[thunderlizard]

Work to live, not live to work

I really really hate that attitude!

It says "I was not put on this planet to make an effort and achieve something. I was put here to do the bare minimum to make my own life hassle-free".

It's not far from "why work, when I can claim income support?"

[contractor79]

I work to live not live to work. Holidays I take just delay my retirement

nice attitude

[kali]

Wow... an interesting, intelligent thread in General - are you guys feeling ok?

[thunderlizard]

My line involves whacking great projects (1-3 years) with several-month breaks in between them. Make hay while the sun shines.

[Hiram King Of Tyre]

I work to live not live to work. Holidays I take just delay my retirement