Every now and then I actually get round to reading some of my writing magazines. Today, I got around to reading a portion of the October 2010 issue of “ theWriter.” I started off by reading the debate over blogging article and was unswayed by the “con” side of the argument. Yes, any time I spend writing for here is time I spend not getting paid to write. Yes, I could use a different blogging … Are You Really Paid and Are They Really Unpaid?Read more
Posted inInformation Technology
Calculating Your Minimum Billing Rate Pt. 3
If you travel for at least six months at a time. You want enough time to get a good feeling about the area, and to find a housing situation which “pays you to stay” enough to want to stay there. Yes, Corporate Housing is more expensive, in many cases, than the bottom price range of extended stay or two star hotels, but it has a comfort level those places cannot provide. (Unless, of course, you … Calculating Your Minimum Billing Rate Pt. 3Read more
Posted inInformation Technology
Calculating Your Minimum Billing Rate Pt. 2
Here are the rules of thumb for extended stay hotels: 1 The lower the chain’s price, the higher the odds an off-shore company is stacking L-1 and H-1B workers eight to a room trashing the place. 2 The lower the chain’s price, the smaller a room’s square footage. Most will be like having a bedroom in the kitchen. 3 The lower the chain’s price, the higher the odds of them having traveling construction workers rotating … Calculating Your Minimum Billing Rate Pt. 2Read more
Posted inInformation Technology
Calculating Your Minimum Billing Rate Pt. 1
“How do I calculate my minimum hourly billing rate?” I get asked this question a lot, and not just by green/new consultants. Whether you are billing locally or for work on-site around the country, the formula doesn’t change, it simply has additional values. Billrate = (onemonthhousing + onemonthtrans + $700)/40 Even a contract “down the street” is going to put you on the bench for a month if it doesn’t work out in the first … Calculating Your Minimum Billing Rate Pt. 1Read more
Posted inInvesting / Thank You Sir May I Have Another
Ethics in Income Act
Many years ago we had news stories about someone occupying a chair at a major brokerage firm for six months while “ the board” searched for a fulltime candidate. After attending only a handful of meetings, this individual pulled the ripcord on a $360 million dollar golden parachute. Needless to say, the blue and white collar workers who had retirement accounts holding mutual funds managed by said brokerage firm were immediately crying foul. The brokerage … Ethics in Income ActRead more