Forum Moderators: open
the money runs out in three weeks...so it's hard choices...do I
take short term freelance contracts from an employer that has declined to take over my contract because they say existing staff can do the job (which they can't)...or prove the point by letting them stew for a few months [1]
stuff it all, not pay my rent and run for the hills with just a guitar and a change of clothes
sell books and cds or even (horror!) my bass guitar
sell my body on the streets (this will probably not earn me enough)
pretend I'm still on a salry and live off a credit card for a while
ho hum...off to the job sites again
Making money is overrated.
Sorry for my stupid answer, but here it is (you asked).
For the time beeing, manage your live to get busy. Dont pull plastic.
What you are living right now is just life, not a dilemma.
So just get busy.
Real life dilemmas will come soon enought.
Real life dilemmas will not require a second opinion. Just hit the right pedal.
Seriously though, take short term freelance contracts from an employer. "I told you so" isn't as worth it when you don't have any money.
What I do in times such as that:
Take the contract - try not to act like a jerk (well, I act like a jerk, hence the tip - acting like a jerk about it won't help, trust me on that).
If the guitar is important, and you need to, sell everything else - again, if you need to, make up a cute sign, and play on the street.
Folks doing music on the streets in NYC I always noticed while living in New York did reasonably well on charity.
The 'busy' bit that Macguru mentioned is important, too. Sounds like he put it just the right way.
Step on the right pedal, and it'll be OK. (at least, we use that one for the 'gas' here...)
Also, i sold all my CD's and Books and stuff when i had my back against the wall. Now i have nothing, and i have had to scrimp to buy them all back. So dont do that. Bad idea.
:)
I know you already know this, but it doesn't hurt to have confirmation, right?
Take the short term contract whilst looking for another job - just see it as 'you using them' rather than the other way round. You have all the skills needed to find a more lucrative post in time - you just need to gain a little time.
Keep the bass - even if you eventually sell everything else - I know its not exactly a busking instrument, but it will keep you sane (or if currently insane, keep you at your current state;)).
Good Luck
Best to take the contract as a means to put you in an even better position.
Keeping busy is good advice also.
Sell the guitar, NEVER!
Bon Chance,
Shane
But I thought I could easily build my own biz...
8 months down the line, I have tons of web sites (all of them developed by yours truly), and making VERY little money out of any of them! :)
...and the credit cards are stretched to the limit!
although it's been fun, and the adventure of a lifetime (although it's about the 4th time i'm doing it), i recommend taking the easy road, and take the damn job!
:)
Instead find some new contacts and contracts. Network and go into some of the local shops and talk to people. Good way to build some business.
And at night when everyones closed start some affiliate websites and build em up and put content on em and submit away. Earn some extra cash ;)
But I'm glad you asked. You got some fine answers and you will have a lot of good wishes from other people with you through theese tough weeks.
Ever read Janis Ian's article about her guitar? If not: read it, read it, read it.
As an instrumentalist you have one advantage over a singer: If you are deeply in love with your instrument, the music gets better. If a singer is deeply in love with her or his instrument, it sounds awful.
Take the contract job and start looking for more work. Better to have too much than too little going on. Hang in there and stay confident in your abilities during the tough times.
