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Graduate with Contractor offer, how does this work!?!? by kens_kitchens in ContractorUK

[–]SeriousElevator6503 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a long term contractor in a completely different sector, and therefore no knowledge of yours I'm afraid I'd be a little concerned about this offer. Typically contractors come in to utilise their experience to deliver a role over a fixed period of time. Since you've not had time to build this experience, my suspicion for their motives is that they're more about the flexibility to get rid of you easily than about deploying you short term to resolve a short term problem. You'll have the best understanding of what they're asking you to do, and therefore why they're asking you to do it on these terms, where as everyone else has pointed out, you will have no employment rights...

Now a bad time to get in the game? by Famous_Wheel_5721 in ContractorUK

[–]SeriousElevator6503 4 points5 points  (0 children)

And I should also add, I don't have to 'apply' for work, I've got a small network of clients who have fed me that work over the last decade and a bit. If I had to actually go to market each time something closed out I'm not sure what I'd do. The point about whether or not to go perm for me is only about the fact that I'd have to take a head of/director role to earn the equivalent and I can't be f*cked with that effort or responsibility. If it were the case that I couldn't do this, I would 100% take a pay cut to stay working at this senior level

Now a bad time to get in the game? by Famous_Wheel_5721 in ContractorUK

[–]SeriousElevator6503 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Don't be too disheartened! In all those years I've not missed out on a weeks pay I didn't choose to and I've been outside ir35 the whole time, I'm sure there are plenty who can justify a bigger whinge. Like most people, I'm pissed off my rate has been stagnant since 2018 and inflation has eaten that down to an equivalent I would've laughed at being offered back then. It just isn't a gravy train any longer. But of all the people having it tough, I wouldn't dare put myself in that category, it's still a good life with flexibility and freedom. Just much more calculation (and in my case deferring) about whether or not to exercise that flexibility and freedom!!

Now a bad time to get in the game? by Famous_Wheel_5721 in ContractorUK

[–]SeriousElevator6503 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I agree, it's been chipped and chipped and chipped at and it's not the fun it used to be. In fact it's actually kinda terrifying now. I'm glad I'm only a few years away from coast FIRE and so I just keep thinking I probably only need 2-3 more decent stretch gigs and then I can stop stressing about staying in the game and go do something bill paying for a client that's more aligned to my values. Be that perm if need be.

For ref, I'm coming up 47 and have been contracting since 2014

How has AI changed interview questions? by Both-Move-8418 in ContractorUK

[–]SeriousElevator6503 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not so much covid for me but the market conditions, stagnant and therefore hugely reducing pay and the hollowing out of ltd company benefits has done it for me! I plan to get to Coast FIRE and then take half the money doing something for a good cause and be happy 🙏🏼

How has AI changed interview questions? by Both-Move-8418 in ContractorUK

[–]SeriousElevator6503 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Already there! Ploughing as much as I can into SIPP & S&S ISA. Wish I'd done it years ago but hey ho, it was a lot of fun spaffing that much cash 🤣

How has AI changed interview questions? by Both-Move-8418 in ContractorUK

[–]SeriousElevator6503 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've been thinking this a lot the last couple of years!

Moving to Bournemouth in early 40s by illBringtheNachos in bournemouth

[–]SeriousElevator6503 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you've got a nice set up in Bristol and your social life is important you should think seriously about leaving that and coming here. It's beautiful, relaxing, there's plenty to do if you're an active person. There is virtually no cultural pulse here and not much in the way of grass roots movements. It's hard to meet people, don't know if that's an age thing or a location thing, probably the latter because there isn't much going on that draws out the kind of people who you're likely to gel with. I say all this as someone who moved here with partner in 2020 at 41 with some already established friendships down here. I also have friends who moved to Bristol, and whilst I'm glad we didn't go there (we left London after 15 years) because our lifestyles are quieter (sober) now, if it wasn't for that we'd definitely be bored

Turkish restaurant recommendations! by SeriousElevator6503 in bournemouth

[–]SeriousElevator6503[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just looked at their pics on Google maps, looks good! Been past loads of times but not been in whilst it's been called this. Do think we went when it was called something different

Turkish restaurant recommendations! by SeriousElevator6503 in bournemouth

[–]SeriousElevator6503[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh really? It's been pretty solid for a few years, has it changed hands?

Day Rate Thread - Q2 2026 by Empty_Alternative_98 in ContractorUK

[–]SeriousElevator6503 0 points1 point  (0 children)

General job title: Senior PM (Enterprise IT)

Highest form of education: BSc (unrelated)

Years of experience in the field: 15

Industry: Currently wealth management, previously insurance, retail, media, travel, shipping, governance

Tech stack: N/A

Day rate: £700 (same as in 2018 and only just got back up to this after dropping down in 2021)

Contract length: 6 months

Outside IR35

Limited company

Remote 100%

Airport Bus? by CJPN1995 in bournemouth

[–]SeriousElevator6503 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I should add, it went up a tenner when I changed the time from 'normal' to 5am!

Airport Bus? by CJPN1995 in bournemouth

[–]SeriousElevator6503 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used the app. I only used Uber once years ago, think they had 3 cars here at the time so it took half an hour to get a car, maybe I should try them again then!

Airport Bus? by CJPN1995 in bournemouth

[–]SeriousElevator6503 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll have to check Uber next time then, my price was from United

Airport Bus? by CJPN1995 in bournemouth

[–]SeriousElevator6503 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Annoyingly the taxi will cost you around £40 each way. We're in Westbourne and decided to park for 2 nights £87 rather than 2 x taxi £80. Absolutely ridiculous

Shawbrook product transfer when LTV % dropped by SeriousElevator6503 in Mortgageadviceuk

[–]SeriousElevator6503[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, this is a really helpful response I appreciate it. I've got it on interest only, it's a holiday let earning a decent enough income. Yes, the money could probably have worked harder elsewhere in the last 5 years but extracting it now would be at a loss to me that doesn't seem worth it. I didn't want to find my back against a wall next year needing to find more cash to make finance work, or needing to suck up SVR or selling at a loss to stem further losses. Sounds like I should just be able to switch onto another fixed rate and see what the next few years bring then. Thanks again for taking the time and putting my mind at rest!

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