Anyone successfully gone rogue?

Verathon / Eng
naw

Verathon Eng

BIO
💅 Seattle
naw
Feb 22, 2018 19 Comments

I estimate that I can make about the same amount of my annual salary in 6 months if I change to hourly as an independent contractor. This is risky of course and requires you to always be hustling and looking for the next gig. Plus insurance and other misc benefits. Thoughts on working contract to contract through agencies? Or cut your own contracts and prospect on your own (cut out the middleman)? Anyone have experience here?

Tbh I'm tired of working 12 months per year and only getting 3 weeks of vacation to enjoy myself. Surely there's a better way even if it means a pay cut in exchange for all that time back.

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TOP 19 Comments
  • Twitch
    Babasheep

    Go to company page Twitch

    Babasheep
    I was a consultant for a couple years. The pay is indeed good, but if you are prone to anxiety, I would not recommend it. It’s feast or famine. I ended up saving about 50% of my take-home to give me peace of mind through the out of work periods. You are also at the mercy of your clients. You will have to deal with politics and stupid work just the same. Not all clients will want remote devs, so you will have to be open to coming into the office just like a normal job. There’s also other stuff like taxes and health insurance you have to take care of.

    If none of that bothers you, and you are good with money, and you’re a good hustler with good contacts, the freedom is pretty sweet. And if you can fill your pipeline consistently, you can clean up
    Feb 22, 2018 3
    • Twitch
      Babasheep

      Go to company page Twitch

      Babasheep
      I quit because i got tired of having to find more clients. My initial clients were all first degree connections, ie, coworkers who I worked with in the past who were at new companies and needed extra help and knew me and could vouch for my work. Once I exhausted my personal network, became much harder on the hustling side. I think if I were to do it again, I’d want to have a personal blog or something where I could have some independent authority that would make the hustling easier.

      I tried Upwork but the quality wasn’t as good. The best clients were people I liked at new startups who raised fresh capital and were looking to hire like crazy and were amenable to my rate ($180/hr)
      Feb 23, 2018
    • Verathon / Eng
      naw

      Verathon Eng

      BIO
      💅 Seattle
      naw
      OP
      Great advice. Thank you.
      Feb 23, 2018
  • Lyft
    redRadish

    Go to company page Lyft

    redRadish
    How do you even get started with this.
    Feb 22, 2018 5
    • Facebook
      Hyperplane

      Go to company page Facebook

      Hyperplane
      I usually find these through people who I’ve worked for
      Feb 22, 2018
    • HealthNow / Eng
      binarycafe

      HealthNow Eng

      binarycafe
      People with more experience have seen more people through having a bunch of different jobs / experiences. Try going to conferences, talks, tech meetups, and networking events. Get your face out there in the tech community
      Feb 22, 2018
  • Oath / Eng
    NotNew

    Go to company page Oath Eng

    NotNew
    I know a friend that just does 6 month contract and just take the next 6 months off. Although most likely he does this because he’s nearing retirement.
    Feb 22, 2018 5
    • Facebook
      Hyperplane

      Go to company page Facebook

      Hyperplane
      That’s relatively low rate for a seasoned swe (is he swe?)
      Feb 22, 2018
    • Oath / Eng
      NotNew

      Go to company page Oath Eng

      NotNew
      Yes. He’s retired now. I know he works as SAP consultant, whatever that means. Before that he was full time contractor for last 20 years as far as I know. I think he switched to part time after his kids graduated college.
      Feb 22, 2018
  • Amazon
    ktaa05

    Go to company page Amazon

    ktaa05
    Some fields lend themselves to consulting more than others
    Feb 22, 2018 0
  • Undisclosed
    BJTr25

    Undisclosed

    BJTr25
    Start investing and earn some passive income?
    Feb 23, 2018 1
    • Verathon / Eng
      naw

      Verathon Eng

      BIO
      💅 Seattle
      naw
      OP
      I think that's easier said that done...
      Feb 23, 2018