Or am I being a wuss?

[Movinghouseatlast]

I have moved house recently, to the back of beyond. We have started a small business which is going quite well.

I am also self employed. I have been offered a contract which is one day a week for 6 months. The only problem is the travel, which is a 4-6 hour drive or 5-7 hour train journey each way. Or a flight plus an hour long National Express bus nearly half way round the M25 each way.

I am currently doing just 2-3 days a month and the travel is killing me. I drove 5 hours there on Wednesday in the pissing rain, worked all day yesterdaythen drove 5 hours home. Got home at 9pm.

Then on Monday I have to travel 7 hours, work on Tuesday, travel in the evening, have a day staying in a hotel on Wednesday as it's not worth going home, work Thursday then do a 6 hour train journey home. Will get back around 11pm.

I'm starting to feel that I just can't do this. Often I will be doing 9 or 10 hours driving in a 24 hour period. I feel this isn't why I moved.

BUT the house needs lots of work which we could do quicker. We could go on holiday this year. I could have a frock or two...

I genuinely don't know if I should just get on with it. Thanks for listening!

Often I will be doing 9 or 10 hours driving in a 24 hour period. I feel this isn't why I moved.

AirB&B/Travelodge

If you only do 2-3 days a month cant you just do it all at once in a month and stay over?

Do you have to do them as split days or could it be covered by 1 trip being 3-4 days?

No, it is one day- sometimes two- every week. I can't change the day.

Yes, I could get a Travelodge but it would be out of my fee and means 2 nights away from home. So for 1 days income 2 full days and 2 full nights away. I do sometimes do a hotel though, if I have a free day in between 2 working days as I do next week.

This sounds like madness to me. You need to balance your work with quality of life. If you're happy with the set up then that's different but it sounds like you are not. I'd be seriously considering looking for something else..

Is it well paid, enough to make the travelling worthwhile?

As it's a short time contract for 6 months then it may be worth putting up with all the driving, especially, if the rewards are worth it.

Hmmm. It is difficult. I am paid £525 a day. I sometimes spend up to £100 (max, I try to make it less than that) of that on additional expenses if the travel home is too much/ not possible.

I think my problem is that I moved to change my life, but have been tempted back with this contract. I always said I was going to work still, but had hoped to try and block dates together to make the travel worth it.

I just feel I end up 'losing' 3 days for one day actual work sometimes!

But you don't get the £525 (Limited company or umbrella?).

You need to work out your costings, se if overall it makes sense.

If it works it's in the good plus, and you need that, can you either use the time you're away to bolster your wee business or can you find a way more to make up that 'difference'.

By the way, I'm in the same boat, just debating options before accepting a new contract.

10 hours driving with a full day of work in the middle can't possibly be safe. You just be knackered.

How's the small business doing, and if you're honest could it be doing better if you didn't have half an eye on this contracting stuff?

To go against the grain, I think it's ok if it's short term until your other business picks up. If it's 6 months then maybe go with it BUT only you know if you can cope. If you can't, there is no shame in saying NO.

I work with a 3 hr commute and then 2 x 3 days a month have to get up at 4.30am to travel to be somewhere by 7.30am, work till 6pm, home 8.30pm. Then kids bedtime and prep for the next day. By the 3rd day I'm truly exhausted. Oh and the job means I'm standing from 7.30am to 6pm other than about an hour. I couldn't keep going if I thought it was forever but try to convince myself it's for a year or so!

midgeland I'm not hijacking the thread, but your words really struck a chord with me and quite possibly should with the OP as well:

How's the small business doing, and if you're honest could it be doing better if you didn't have half an eye on this contracting stuff?

I do see your point about the business, but my partner looks after it when I'm away. I miss it though and want to dedicate myself to it completely. I honestly think that it is more that I just want to be at home not on the road. I spent the last 3 years doing the same thing, but abroad so I flew every week.

This contract ends in March. I want the money but resent doing it I guess.