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I went freelance 25+ years ago, and have never regretted it. The first 10 years I was mainly "bum-on-seat" contracting through agencies. Pay was good, work was continuous, but you were treated like s**t and expected to be worth every last penny and many, many more.
Managed to first go part-time remote, then part-time fully remote, before such a thing was "a thing" and it gave me freedom to find other smaller clients. Got lots of very small gigs on Rent-a-Coder, VWorker, Freelancer.com, PeoplePerHour etc. and that's much more interesting, and you learn a lot more too. Got some small gigs become very big long-term relationships. In my case that was very good for the income, very bad for the stress. When you're freelancing there's no-one else to share the load with, especially if you're working with small businesses and you ARE the IT department. But the satisfaction can be very high.
I semi-retired a few years ago (when I was 58), and am "just" supporting a handful of clients whose businesses depend on my systems. In theory I should be working about half-a-day a week and living off past earnings. But as is always the way, they often ALL come up with urgent issues (either support issues, or enhancements) at once; I currently have 3 clients ALL with major projects competing for my time. In winter I don't care too much (esp. in lockdown) but I'd be mightily fed up if this happened in the summer. (It has done in the past). I remember family holidays in Iceland and remote parts of Scotland, trying to get a signal to log on over RDP and fix some production glitch or other. Doesn't go down too well!
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Dycz wrote: anyone on here that does freelance work so that they can work very little?
Make sure you mention that last point to potential contractorsees; I'm sure they'll find that very endearing and will immediately move you to the top of the candidates list.
On perhaps a more serious note, if you find a way, be sure to let us all know.
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The freelance landscape has changed ... you're now up against "code factories" that will try to outbid you at every turn. Which of course means everyone else expects you to match their (cheap) rates.
Not that these factories are much good ... they just pollute the landscape.
But, you do need to make yourself "available" ... so you check out all the sites and write a better "advertisement" ... in about as few words as possible (most "prospects" have a very short attention span).
Your biggest headache will be from "tire kickers" / time wasters and how to spot them.
And an "attractive" profile picture can get you lots of the wrong attention too.
It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it.
― Confucian Analects: Rules of Confucius about his food
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I am freelancing and I work at least 10 hours a day while working at customer companies, and it's not strange working Saturdays and Sundays.
When working at home I usually work a little bit more.
Of course, time between projects, ... it's there (sometimes) of course sometimes you have more than one project running at the same time and phone calls, mails and deadlines can be tricky.
Given I work in the automation industry, I must have a big insurance that covers me against the risk of injuring someone or to destroy part of a machine I am working on.
And don't get me started of all the @#$%& paperwork needed to be able to enter a company.
You must be ready to have a lawyer, someone to help you doing accounting, all the paperwork...
Get somewhere to store all your work safely complying all the needs of your customers...
Make contracts with them that are nice enough for them not to be scared but at the same time that protect your ass in case problems appear.
And about commitment, if you are a freelancer, you will get the work only based in 2 things: you know how to do it and they don't or they are so overworked that need external power to finish in their deadlines.
Given you will be more expensive than any of their workers (raw cost) be prepared to show the most commitment you can or be prepared to lose that customer.
Freelancing is nice, I love my work (hate the paperwork to enter companies as it's a super tedious repetitive task and sometimes you end discussing with a guy if a document is signed or not ^^¡), and I can say I'm very happy with it, but it's not "I work a few hours, money comes in and all is super duper" you have to work hard.
Hope this helps and best of lucks with your decision and future.
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Unfortunately for you, employers are looking for developers who can commit, because they themselves have deadlines and want stuff done so you might have a hard time finding work with your attitude*.
In fact, being freelance may be hard work because you can be laid off at any time (depending on the contract, but you have a lot less security as regular employees).
You should also get a bit of savings for when you're "in between jobs" (a.k.a. unemployed).
When you go freelance and want to keep your current salary you'll have to earn roughly about 1.5x what you earn now because you'll lose paid vacation and sick leave, any retirement your employer is saving for you, travel allowance and any other perks, while you'll also have to get some additional insurances and other costs.
And that's assuming you have a job.
When you're laid off, your salary drops to 0 and at the end of the month you're an entire month short that you'll have to make up for in other months.
Whatever you've read, there's no such thing as "free money" 
Honestly, if you have to ask, I don't think freelance was meant for you.
Maybe you could work less for your current employer instead?
Or, if you have a partner who earns enough for both, you could give it a shot and see where things end up.
* I'm currently (temporarily) doing what you want, so it can be done, but I've had months where I made below minimum wage and I've had months where I worked 50-60 hours a week.
The fact of the matter is that I'm as free as my customers allow me to be and "true freedom" comes at the cost of worrying about work and income and can't endure.
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Thanks Sander.
I know what you mean, that's exactly why I wanted to ask the question in the first place, just to find out whether by freelancing and taking on just one project or two one could still make some little money. The fact with committment is that actually I do show committment and I can't help but wanting to commit, because I understand that my employer has deadlines and I don't want to let my team down. But at this point in my life I can see that I'm missing out on some many things, by being this committed.
It sounds like I should not consider freelancing but rather I should focus on changing my career to something entirely different and just keep coding for fun in my spare time.
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I'm not sure what else you'd want to do where you can do what you want.
IT pays pretty well and we're in high demand, so I'd recommend staying in IT and finding another job for four or three days with flexible hours.
That way you'll have job security and a reasonable salary while still having some freedom to do the things you want.
Perhaps your current company doesn't have the culture you're looking for.
I've worked for companies that were always stressful and I've worked for companies that were always pretty relaxed.
The importance of office culture and environment cannot be underestimated.
What greatly helped for me too was having a job close to home.
As long as I can cycle to work within approximately 30-45 minutes (5-10 minutes by car) I'm a lot more relaxed than when I have to take the car and face traffic (although that may not really be relevant in these times).
Also, remove work e-mail from your phone, when it's an emergency they'll call and all else can wait until tomorrow.
Not having work e-mail can be stressing at first because you're so used to having it, but after a few weeks you'll feel more relaxed.
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What you say it's so true - team culture and environment can certainly make or break how well we can create that work/life balance for ourselves.
Definitely staying in IT broadly or staying in software development and just find a company that can fully support my wish to work less is on the cards for me.
Essentially, the real reason behind all this is that I've started volunteering in my community and I'm slowly realising how, while I enjoy coding for a living, there are so many things I could be doing in my community and by coding professionally at the moment I am basically stopping myself from doing those things, because I never have enough time to dedicate both to the community and my family and my job. So, essentially, my alternative plan if I can't find a very comfortable job in IT/software is to stop working in IT/software entirely and find a job in the community. I'm considering going back to university and re-training either as a teacher or in the health sector (I'm volunteering in the health sector as a supporter). I would have to start a new career from scratch. But I'll always be able to keep coding for fun in my spare time!
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Sounds like a good cause.
I hope you get what you're looking for, good luck with your endeavors! 
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A few things you may also consider, if you are the primary bread winner forget it you do not have the attitude to succeed.
Your cashflow is going to be erratic, no that is an understatement it can be horrifying when a client wants to pay you on 90 days or you contact a small business client only to be told they don't have the funds this month. You are going to spend a LOT of time chasing money that is owed to you, assuming you actually get some clients.
The paperwork is also going to take up 30% of your time, freelancing is not just about coding it is running a business and with your predilection for doing the minimum you are unlikely to succeed.
The only benefit to being a contractor is that you may be able to accept only short term jobs, you will still be expected to work a full week, every week the contract is on force unless you can negotiate a different deal.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity -
RAH
I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP
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Thanks Mycroft,
Yes it sounds like I should forget it, indeed. Well, that's good to know.
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Ironically, driving Mrs. for what we hope will be her first shot (2 months earlier than mine) I heard a news report about someone having just died at a vaccination center.
It was after receiving the vaccine, the EMT's were literally right there - and they showed no signs of any reaction. I'm awaiting announcement of the actual cause-of-death.
Even if it were the vaccine, it's like 10,000,000:1 that it could happen to anyone, still, it will have it's effect. Actually, I'm wondering if any new (earlier) slots will open up for those still willing.
But those who were hesitant? Just what they "wanted" to hear.
| Ravings en masse^ |
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| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Surgery under anesthesia can also be fatal and hardly anyone cares.
modified 27-Mar-21 21:01pm.
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embar.k.adero wrote: hardly anyone cares.
I have to disagree. I know a few people who are afraid of not waking up from surgery. It's not that uncommon.
It's a tradeoff - hopefully one undergoes surgery to either have life-saving procedures or such procedures as are necessary for a decent quality of life. In that case, I for one, was glad that I just sort of remember waking up and nothing hurt whilst I was being cut up.
Risk/Reward - like driving (the drunk driver kills you), it adds enough to life to be worth the risk.
So - I await my turn for the vaccine.
| Ravings en masse^ |
|---|
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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W∴ Balboos, GHB wrote: But those who were hesitant? Just what they "wanted" to hear.
You're strange.
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20212 wrote: You're strange.
That's such a strange response I won't even ask why you think so..
| Ravings en masse^ |
|---|
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Just got mine a hour ago...still kickin!
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Mike Hankey wrote: Just got mine a hour ago...still kickin!
Just to be sure, see if you can find some witnesses that you're actually still around.
Posting to CP is, so far as I know, not officially certified as evidence of corporal existence
| Ravings en masse^ |
|---|
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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I post, therefore I am.
Author unknown
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Follow the money - who would profit by building a bot to simulate Mike? 
Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.
-- 6079 Smith W.
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Mike Hankey wrote: still kickin!
Could be seizures. Might want to have that checked.
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So, I read on Friday that Lord General of New York, His Royal Highness, Andrew Cuomo, has instructed to order more vaccines, to ramp up the supply chain for that.
Hopefully, I will get my vaccine in the next month or so, instead of next year, as some had feared, including myself.
I have also read that complications of various kinds due to the vaccine are extremely rare, but do happen. Just as with most things medical and health related, I would guess.
modified 8-Feb-21 9:58am.
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In two days time I will get the second helping...
I do know hundreds (and reportedly there are nearly 3 million) who already done it with no significant issues...
It is very sad when happens, and makes you think what are your chances to get the same - very legitimate and hard to argue with. My problem with those against the vaccine are the actual act of fake-news and (physical) prevention for those made the other choice...
"The only place where Success comes before Work is in the dictionary." Vidal Sassoon, 1928 - 2012
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Anecdotal "evidence": my parents, siblings and siblings-in-law, wife, and I have all had both doses. We all feel fine.
Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.
-- 6079 Smith W.
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more anecdotal "evidence" - took my other half for her 1st shot yesterday. All well ... for a while! After about 6 hours began feeling very tired, feverish, nauseous, headache. Slept for 18 hours (her, not me) and still v. tired and off food, still headache, but improving. Daughter-in-law's sister very similar story from last Friday.
If nothing else, suggests it's not just a placebo they're giving us!
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