Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly

REDMADCURLS

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[Deleted User]

Hi Pania,

Came across your thread thanks to Hypno's own diary.

It's interesting to read about your ideas about s/e. I'm s/e and it's really challenging to get work at the moment. Clearly, I've no idea what work you plan to do, but I'm finding that offers of work have changed in the last 9 months (I live on the South Coast). Long gone are the 6 months contracts - it's now more like six weeks on a part-time basis as others in the workplace are happy to take on additional responsibilities and not hide behind the 'it's not in my job description'.

There's also been a levelling in the fees people charge for the sort of work I do - this hasn't impacted on me badly, as my rates are still competitive, but it does mean that for the first time I may have to consider advertising (something I've never had to do, relying on recommendation by word-of-mouth).

Having said all of that, my second (launched in May) s/e role is going astonishingly well and I'm toying with the idea of shifting my focus to that as it's more specialised, and for me more fun.

Not sure any of that is any help to you - but just really wanting to point out (a) do you homework on the competition (b) it's worth trying out an idea whilst you're still in work... it might lead to an income you'd not expected.

Good luck

ZTD

pania wrote: »

At the moment i have a salary and that is vitally important. but every job i find something happens. whether it is my total bully of a boss that was, or someone who changes my contract with 24 hours notice then !!!!!!s off owing me 7k, or a job i'm recruited to do then back filled into a receptionists position, and now this, when you are employed you are completely out of control. and at others mercy.

You have been unlucky with your jobs, but you are at less mercy in a public sector organisation than you are out on your own. If you're ill self-employed, then there is no money coming in - for example.

pania wrote: »

if i could get myself in a position of self employment then yes, I believe that I would be ok.

The currently proposed rounds of public sector budget cuts have been estimated (not by me) as raising the unemployment level by approximately 1.3 million. There is a public sector spending review due out in the autumn - the details will probably by in that, and the estimates will be improved when it does arrive. Any business you do start will have less customers, and more competition - many of them who will be working cash-in-hand. Make sure you take that into account.

pania wrote: »

If i went self employed, or even part time in my current role, part time in a self employed role then i believe i would be better off than i am now.

You have a job. Keep that job. Whether or not you go part-time self-employed is up to you, but keep the job and if you're unhappy, then look for another. It's easier to get a job if you have a job. "Self-employed" == "unemployed" in the eyes of some.

ZTD

pania wrote: »

The meeting at work didnt go so well. we are being cut from a 19.4% shift allowance to 2.4%. a gross loss each year of £4098 from my salary or a net loss of £190 after tax. I have a savings scheme with work which i have been paying into since january which if i cash it in will only give me £64 back when I have paid in so far £210. my dilemma is do i keep paying into it, knowing that for £30 per month my return will be very small and therefore i am wasting money if further down the line i need that money and have to cancel it, ie am i throwing good money after bad? or do i continue to pay into it, take the pain of it being £30 per month i could do with and allow it to mature in another 9 1/2 years for a hopefully good return!!

It's best not to save when you have debt. Ten years in these troubled times is probably close to a life-time. Think of us as being in the 1930's. The Conservatives/Lib Dems are making the appearence of choosing the route the US went down in terms of deflation, and Labour have the appearence of preferring the route Weimar Germany went down in terms of inflation. What happens in 10 years probably depends on who wins the next few elections.

And yes, I am aware of the end-point for both of those nations.

pania wrote: »

help!! :eek: :rotfl: They are also looking to centralise us to one location meaning an increase of approx £1000 per year on my diesel costs.

We too were looking at being centralised. Then they discovered it cost too much for moving everyone. Centralisation cancelled...

It may happen to you.

pania

unfortunately z i dont agree that the public sector employment is secure. especially not as secure as it once was. I am aware of the review in october and we were informed the other day that these pay cuts may not be the end and come october redundancies may follow. The pay cuts are being made to tempt the CC to look elsewhere and prove that a sufficient enough saving can be made from our department for us to be left alone (I'm paying for the privaledge in other words!!) therefore i need to start researching possibilities now to protect myself "if" redundancy happens and "when" the pay cut happens. I have no intention of giving this job up until such times as i have a secure and viable alternative. i'm not wreckless in that way and would only go self employed if I knew there was a very very good chance of it providing an income equal to or in excess of the the salary i earn currently. Centralisation has already happened to 2/3rds of our unit. it makes sense that we would follow to as it would then allow them to effectively "mothball" the upstairs of our station. The financial saving that would make the force goes withoiut saying.
The money i am putting away isnt savings, and i am aware that it isnt good to save when you have debt. Martin has taught me well over the last 5 years. but i have had debt longer than i care to remember and i need to start getting some money behind me to get out of certain situations and to once again be and remain self sufficient. £30 out of my salary before i get paid means it isnt counted in my soa and in 10 years time is a lump sum for whatever situation i am in then.
The public sector pay cuts that have been predicted are currently worst case scenario, yes we have to prepare for the worst but if the worst happens then it is 99% likely that I will be one of the number they have quoted. If i dont plan ahead and look at alternatives including self employment then what do i do then? the businesses I am entertaining are quite niche in their market and to say i will have less customers without being aware of the market i am planning on working in, and the competition i will have also, feels a little sweeping. Running a sucessful company is about knowing your customer, knowing your industry and adapting your pricing structure accordingly, along with effective marketing. there will ALWAYS be services that members of public need, no matter what the cash in their hands.

[Deleted User]

In honour of your own thread title: What would you do if you knew you couldnt fail?

You have the choice to heed or ignore anything anyone else write's on your diary.

In answer to the question above, I think your answer might be "Enjoy the Adventure"

I for one would say 'Go for it!' :T

elantan

Wow where have I heard those wise words before lol lol lol

Pania I don't think there is a safe sector just now ... Hubby and I have had to deal with over 15k worth of drops in wages in the last few years ( alot more than 15k tbh) it isn't easy but you know what we are actually happier working less and living more ... Although I have to say I could do with more living and less life getting in the way

U still thinking about dog training ?

Pippajo

You seem to have a balanced view on this. I was part emp/part s/emp, but then something else came along and now i am fully s/emp, but in 2 very different jobs. DH became S/E in May due to health issues and doesnt regret it, but we know that this could change at the drop of a hat if his contracts change. But the amount he earns each month could be made up elsewhere if necessary by another p/t job.

While you are planning, is it worth looking at how the business would do if you were over with D instead? That would save on your regular travel costs and you would not need to earn as much?

chevalier

Pania
Happy new diary, sorry that I haven't found you before. Good luck with scoping out self employment
chev

Cheery_Daff

Gosh, sounds like it's all change for you at the min. Pah to the pay rise But I'd come down on the side of 'go for it!' with the self employment (with all the normal caveats about making sure you have some regular income too for a while, building yourself up slowly, not expecting too much too soon etc). But then I have no experience. I'm generally a great believer in the 'patchwork lifestyle' - a few different sources of income (part time job or two, self employment, seasonal work etc) - seems more reliable somehow as you're unlikely ever to be left with absolutely nowt!

So - what would you do if you could do anything at all??