Watched Sherlock Holmes and also got around to working on a new system of tracking my income (via Excel) for when I'm freelancing. Of course, provided I keep track of how much is negotiated and/or how many hours I logged. Right now, it's still in it's prototype phase, but it looks like it's working out well. Just applied to a few new jobs (and have them pre-logged/ready for processing) and got them lined up on it. Now I just have to play the waiting game for what I get and what I don't (and what to clear out soon).
As of now, I'm using it to see if I can out-pace my old income rate(s) from my last job(s) based on their old data (if recorded or remembered). Still have to figure out how to work that out, since I have fixed pay and rate-based jobs to work between (and calculating). On the comforting side, I know that with fixed-pay jobs, I work fast, I get paid very well, in contrast; and I negotiate well enough with rate-based jobs (and work well enough hourly-wise), my skill yields a more generous income (while still being fair) compared to my past jobs. So fixed = move quick, but ensure quality, and hourly = take my time, but not too much (could affect my freelancer reputation if I take too long to get an hourly-rate job done). At least my common sense is a good navigator for these matters, so I don't have to worry too much.
Plus, site policy requires both parties (contractor (me) and employer) to state how long they intend a project to go on for (from hours to months). Employer states time and how much they're willing to pay, and contractor (via application process) negotiates how much they want to be paid, and how long they're willing or able to work. The site also has a program that works like a punch clock (and if armed with a webcam, screencaps employee and screen (both optional) as evidence of actually doing their job; and site holds the logs until contract is closed or cancelled (so hourly rates are tracked this way precisely, and time logged is confirmation/evidence of working for fixed pay)). I like how the system works, although I can also see just how (un)popular certain jobs are. I mean, certain hourly jobs can have up to hundreds of applicants, and other fixed-amount jobs can have as few as 3 applicants.
Then again, certain jobs are justified for their popularity ratings, provided you do the math. Example: Edit 1000 pictures for 50 bucks is not as lucrative as it sounds. $50.00/1000 = 5 cents a picture, and it takes some time to get it done too (especially if hi-res). Spend too much time (let's say 5-10 hours total, and you might as well wear a wrapper on your head labeled "Sucker". If done in 5 hours, then it's 10 bucks an hour (though unlikely), if done in 10 hours (more likely), then it's more like 5 bucks an hour. Longer than that, get that wrapper ready for your head.
It's also comforting to know that despite no longer working at my old job, my unemployment might yet still be valid, so as long as I have an income to record, I might still get support until my on-going client starts paying me via commissions. That is still taking it's time though, so I gotta keep myself working at least part-time. Fortunately, I have their guarantee, and I hold their word on it too. So like mentioned some time ago when I left my job, thank God I prepared my bank account ahead of time.
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Topic: [MILK] There were 12 eggs here what did you do with them? (Happy thread?!) (Read 16175921 times)