Useful heuristic: if you can't afford the risk of a vacation and the time to find another gig, you are self enslaved, and not self employed.
Ask HN: How do you justify taking unpaid vacation as self employed?
21–30 of 126 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you justify taking unpaid vacation as self employed?
#22Earlier quoted context omitted.
> if I start rejecting projects they will find someone else ... Which you're basing on: > it doesn't work that easily that I can just limit how much work I take without repercussions (it already happened in past, but not because of rejecting reason) If it's true that they won't accept anything less than 12 hour days with zero down time, then you're better off working elsewhere.
it's not 12 hours day, on bad day (usually monday and friday) is 8-10 hours of actual work, on good days (which are very rare recently) 3-4 hours, but usually I work between 5-7 hours (with some gaps between) plus I have free weekends most of the time and maybe 10 days of Chinese holidays spread over year If I worked as full time employee here in Europe, I would spend 9-10 hours in work each day including commuting b…
4000 USD is a fairly lavish holiday.
I consider myself fairly well off and that's roughly what I'd spend in two months.
Re: Ask HN: How do you justify taking unpaid vacation as self employed?
#23> I don't won't to refuse any projects to miss on money I can't imagine taking vacation, because I'm not gonna lose only vacation expenses, but also similar amount in lost income for every day I would not work.
Sounds like you are being consumed by greed and fear.
Re: Ask HN: How do you justify taking unpaid vacation as self employed?
#24Would your clients allow you to subcontract the work out? That way you can keep taking the full load with minimal additional work.
Re: Ask HN: How do you justify taking unpaid vacation as self employed?
#25Increase your hourly rate until the demand for hours decreases to the level you prefer.
That works if the OP has many different customers. But the easiest way to raise prices is with new customers.
If OP has only one customer they do not work for themselves, they work for that customer and have a job - regardless of what they like to tell themselves.
Re: Ask HN: How do you justify taking unpaid vacation as self employed?
#26The purpose of work is to live the best life you can live in pursuit of your values. Money is necessary component of work, but not the essential factor.
> I'm not gonna lose only vacation expenses
By framing spending on recreation as a "loss", you have foreclosed your mind from even thinking about it rationally. Recreation is essential to man's life.
> also similar amount in lost income for every day I would not work.
Again, you are framing the issue in terms of loss. Money you don't make while on vacation is not lost income--it is not a thing you have that you lose. It is merely unearned.
> unpaid vacation
There really is no such thing as "paid vacation". Vacations are never paid for anyone. Some people have "holiday pay" or "PTO" or "vacation hours" or "sick hours", but those are all misnamed--they are earned from working and are factored into total compensation (all benefits are paid for by the employee's wages; greater benefits mean lesser wages).
> As I see it now I will give family vacation, meaning wife and children can enjoy different place (beach) and I will work from hotel room, possibly finding few free hours in early morning or late afternoon and free weekend.
Why do you think you are unworthy of vacation, that it is something to only be given to others? And, in practical terms, your plan will almost certainly lead to resentment and regret between you, your spouse, and your children. You will be thinking of the experience as a loss and sacrifice, your partner will feel lonely (the purpose of vacation is to recreation and rejuvenation of oneself and one's relationships), and you will miss out on shared unusual experiences with your kids.
The first question isn't how to justify a vacation or what kind of vacation to take. The first question is: Why do you want to take a vacation?
Re: Ask HN: How do you justify taking unpaid vacation as self employed?
#27Am in similar situation. Working remote as a contractor, nearly full time. However I do observe my local holidays and take at least a whole unpaid month off per year.
There are two very good reasons for it - one is family and the other is my health. No amount of money can replace not being around my wife and child. The other reason is health (both physical and mental). I am of no use to anyone if I am burned out and half crazy. If your current partner company doesn't understand that - GTFO.
Re: Ask HN: How do you justify taking unpaid vacation as self employed?
#28> I don't won't to refuse any projects to miss on money > I would be perfectly fine even with half money I earn Wut? Either you're willing to work more hours and receive more money, or you're willing to work less hours and receive less money. They're literally mutually exclusive. You can't genuinely want both things.
if I start rejecting projects they will find someone else and I will have nothing to reject in the end, not even that half I would be fine with. it doesn't work that easily that I can just limit how much work I take without repercussions (it already happened in past, but not because of rejecting reason) and yes, there is also the money reasoning why not to reject something if it's still within my limits, although I r…
Maybe you can inform them well in advance (say, 2 months in advance) that you will be on vacation so they can plan ahead? If they like you and your works, they certainly have no problem rescheduling stuff so you can take your vacation, no?
Re: Ask HN: How do you justify taking unpaid vacation as self employed?
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
That works if the OP has many different customers. But the easiest way to raise prices is with new customers.
If OP has only one customer they do not work for themselves, they work for that customer and have a job - regardless of what they like to tell themselves.
I'm not sure this logic follows. I generally take on one client at a time, sometimes for many months (even years, on occasion). I've ended gigs that I was unhappy with, and I've stayed on contracts for extended periods of time.
I still make my own hours and have relative freedom to operate how I please, despite only having one client at a time.
Re: Ask HN: How do you justify taking unpaid vacation as self employed?
#30Earlier quoted context omitted.
That works if the OP has many different customers. But the easiest way to raise prices is with new customers.
If OP has only one customer they do not work for themselves, they work for that customer and have a job - regardless of what they like to tell themselves.
That's nonsense. I know plenty of 20K / month consultants that work as contractors, one project for one customer, a couple of months later for another. The shortage of qualified people at that level is such that they have the jobs for the picking. They are self employed in every way that matters, to the tax office, their customers and their bookkeepers.