John BurnsMay 20

For all the programmers, developers, and related that are going through downsizing (of any kind)...

Be sure to collect contact info from others that you like and might want to work with.

Form a consulting company and be sure to make it known you are available - especially to make corrections to the code generated by LLM systems.

Billing should include the profit you want, plus the taxes you will have to pay (get an accountant) -- to include full amount of Soc. Security, and more.
🤔

Show threadAI6YR BenMay 20
@JohnJBurnsIII Thanks for including that tip on the social security (also, unemployment insurance) taxes! When I first started working for myself that TOTALLY was not in my calculations. You have to definitely charge MORE per hour than you get paid as an employee to make the numbers connect. #selfemployment
Show threadJim HubbellMay 20
@ai6yr @JohnJBurnsIII
When Dad started working as a private forester, he got some excellent advice from his accountant. Much the same as what you describe. To cover all those costs, he had to charge about double what he wanted as his hourly rate.
Show threadJohn BurnsMay 20

@Dougfir @ai6yr

That's what I did when I started... but it turned out over the last 20ish years, that was not enough.

Today's world... that's the low end starting point.

Having a quality accountant and attorney are necessary for your own protection. Their fees are never lowballed - so that should be your example.

And insurance coverage is not cheap... and depending on your work - Liability is a requirement.

Show threadLeslie BurnsMay 20

@JohnJBurnsIII @Dougfir @ai6yr

Louder for the folk in back.

I've been telling creatives these truths since the last century and long before I became an attorney. The old saying is true (re attys and CPAs): you can pay a little now or a whole lot later.

Show threadJens Hannemann

@LeslieBurns @JohnJBurnsIII @Dougfir @ai6yr Very good advice. Reminds me of these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gie-cdO__U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVkLVRt6c1U

F*ck You, Pay Me

YouTube
May 20 at 9:34pmWeb
Show threadLeslie BurnsMay 20

@JensHannemann @JohnJBurnsIII @Dougfir @ai6yr

Yeah, I've posted Montero's video before. This is a good addition to it. Thanks!

Show threadJeri DanskyMay 21

@JensHannemann Ooh, thank you! I first listened to Mike's Fuck You, Pay Me talk thirteen years ago, and I still remembered his lawyer's name. I thought I'd just re-watch a few minutes, and instead I wound up watching the whole thing. Such a gem.

@LeslieBurns @JohnJBurnsIII @Dougfir @ai6yr