How many of you work as consultants?

The ups and downs of living on the web

[roycerus]

Hi everyone,
Just wondering how many of you guys make living working as consultants [not a full day job]. Recently I visited the Linux Asia conference and found that many young and middle aged folks were running their own small businesses working as consultants and living their own life style. Many among them surely make enough money to afford the kind of equipment they were carrying around. I am sure there are many here on web master world who do work on part time basis and work on their own projects. Just wondering how you guys got started... any stories? The day you became self employed... How did it all start for you?
Regards,
R

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

For me it started when I was unemployed, and got a phone call from a company looking for an independant ASP programmer. I looked up the pro's and con's, and decided to take the chance.

They have been a regular source of projects the last 10 months, and we've even started a couple of websites together in an effort to make more money off the internet.

In retrospect I wish I'd taken this step earlier - no setting the alarm in the morning, no commuting, being able to go get some groceries whenever you feel like it, stroll into town to get lunch when you're hungry and stop around 4 in the afternoon to get a nice cold beer if you feel like it... :o)

[fom2001uk]

Yes, but how many of you self employed consultants have kids?

[kazecoder]

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Yes, but how many of you self employed consultants have kids?
*****

That is exactly what I am wondering. I have no doubt that I have the skills to "make" it but I am worried about if something would happen and I couldn't provide for my children or pay the cost of medical insurance these days.