I'm a freelance translator and full-time mum to my baby son. I don't live in the UK, but in one of the EU countries that has been hit very hard by crisis. Me and my partner struggle very hard to make ends meet. I work for two translating agencies and basically work like a crazy lady when son is asleep during day and then from 7.30 until midnight, when partner is back home and I can concentrate. I have never turned down a job because times are hard here, even if that means not sleeping or forgoing Sundays (both me and partner work 6 days a week, and only have Sundays together as a family). Even so, we still bring home less than UK minimum wage. A few weeks ago, I made the mistake of agreeing to do a one-off job for a "friend" of one of the agencies, and accepted to be paid 30% less than normal (I'm paid per word). I didn't think much of it, until the agency came back to me yesterday with a client that was only willing to pay the same discounted amount. Only this time it was a large job with scientific language. The agency implied that they have lost a lot of work because my prices are too high and this is an important potential client. If I accept, it'll mean giving up my weekend (partner was going to take Saturday and Sunday off especially) for what, after taxes, will amount to no more than 70?. The email also implied that I'm expendable. I've been applying for every single job offer for over a year and have yet to get so much as an answer. If I lose this agency, I have no safety net, savings and won't be entitled to any unemployment benefits. I still have the work from the other agency, but we are already penny counting as it stands. Do I accept this 30% pay cut henceforth, which is better than nothing, or do I try and keep my dignity?