Can I pull this off?

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I hate my job. I know. No big surprise. I hate the line of work I'm in. I kinda of got "stuck" in it. At first I didn't mind it, but it is becoming more and more demanding and stressful, and, well, I want to take a break.

I'm tired of authors yelling at me or criticizing me for a typo in an e-mail etc ("If this is any indication of your professionalism, I am not impressed"). I'm tired of having to juggle 5 projects at a time and having to juggle proofreaders, copy editors, compositors, authors, PLUS keep track of every penny spent on a project, AND having to attend meeting after mindless meeting while keeping up that corporate team spirit.

"Is this good for the company?"

I'd like a change. I'd like to take a step down. As it stands now, I work full time and take on freelance proofreading projects. I was thinking this morning how I'd like to perhaps do that full time. It would be on a freelance basis, but I do have contacts. I'd be giving up benefits, but I do have money in mutual funds that I haven't touched (except to put a down payment on my apartment). My biggest concern is medical insurance. I'd really have to research this, but I think I might be able to find some sort of "affordable" health plan. The thing I love about freelance is it's very flexible and I could do other things while I freelance.

I know this isn't a step to take lightly. I took this particular job 4 years ago at the urging of someone else. For once in my life I'd like to do what I want to do. I'm tired of people telling me, "You can't do that! You'll fail. You're not being realistic." More importantly, I'm tired of believing in what other people say and not believing in myself.

I'm going to meet with my accountant in the next couple of weeks to prepare my taxes. I'll ask her what's the best way, financially, to do this.

<IMG SRC=http://atamichimpo.50megs.com/images/deathmetalfuzzybutt.jpg>

She said Jesus had a twin who knew nothing about sin.

This message was edited by Alice S. Fuzzybutt on 2-12-04 @ 12:20 PM

[monsterone]

as an established professional, i think you probably have enough in the way of leads for free-lance work to get you by for a lil while and probably longer.

but health insurance is a necessity. i'd say put in your 2 weeks, do free lance, and relax. perhaps your more unhappy with your company and need to find another. perhaps you need to re-establish your self, who knows?

but take some time to yourself. get out of the rat race, but use your time wisely.


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are greatly missed... you too
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[FUNKMAN]

Do your research with regard to obtaining medical coverage, put your plan together and go for it. If others are successful at doing what you plan to do then 'why can't you'?

Best Of Luck!

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sig by Funkman

[CaptClown]

I am kind of in a similar situation. The only real reason I stay around is because of my benefits. I am currently looking for a position while working the job I have.

Director of the C.Y.A. Society.
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[JohnnyCash]

I quit my job about 4 months ago. I started doing freelance work for a few different companies I worked with at my last job. I just regestered myself as a corporation so now its not freelancing-its an actual full time job.With freelancing I never knew when exactly I was going to take home a check but now Im able to have some contracts and a guaranteed amount of work from some of the companies. Its pretty rough the first few months but now it seems to be picking up.
When I left I had the same reservations youre having. My health insurance was about $430 a month but my company was paying for it. I just got myself a good plan thats only $180 a month thru HealthyNY. You should check them out (if youre in NY). There are alot of things-especially money issues that you need to sort out before you quit. I wasnt totally ready when I left but luckily I was ok. But I wish I planned a little bit more first.

When you work for yourself its so different. Though the money isnt always the same the quality of life is better. You get to be the boss. You take on only the work you want and turn down what you dont want. I love it. And I would have a very hard time going back to an office now and working for someone else.

I think if youre not happy you should do whatever you can to be happy. This venture made me very happy. Best of luck-whatever you decide to do.

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Thanks to Reefdwella for the great Sig Pic.

[SixPack]

OMG, how did you get into my thoughts and tell my life story??? Damn, sounds exactly what I'm going through right now. Keep up the contacts and see if it leads to something. I had the opportunity to speak with a Newsday editor recently, and she said to basically pick 3 places you'd like to move to that are lower on the food chain than NY, and go there to hone your craft. It would also be a lot easier to get something that's EXACTLY what you want elsewhere.

The artist formerly known as Ferret (at least over here)

[curtoid]

Last year I was forced into doing freelance contract work, and have making a pretty good go of it lately, although it's been a pretty lean year and I do miss the benefits.

The quality of life is the big thing I've noticed improved this last year. While my last job was pretty nice, I was in situations that drained and ate my soul, and it's something I have to think about now as my contracts come up for renewal.

Part of me says I should go back and try and get the salaried 9-5 job, but then there is this degree of freedom I have.

On a side note - what kind of work do you proofread? I may have a project for FuzzybuttCo. by the end of the year!



http://img21.photobucket.com/albums/v64/curtoid/44.jpg
[b]KOP Out[b]

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

what kind of work do you proofread?


Law and business material. I currently freelance proofread for Aspen Publishers (law). I work full-time (production) at Wiley on their professional accounting books. I also used to work on their college text books.

<IMG SRC=http://atamichimpo.50megs.com/images/deathmetalfuzzybutt.jpg>

She said Jesus had a twin who knew nothing about sin.

[ADF]

When you quit, can I have your job? If not, can I work in the mailroom?

<center><img src = "http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/adfblink.gif"><br>I'm so glad the cheat is not dead.</center>

[Tall_James]

Make yourself happy kiddo. We only go around one time on this crazy spaceship I like to call "The Earth".

May a prolific, successful author with incredibly bad grammar land on your doorstep and decide he can't live without your charm, wit, skill and collection of Buzzcocks LPs.


<img src=http://home.comcast.net/~jamesgpatton/tj_sig.jpg>

Why am I always on a plane or a fast train
Oh what a world my parents gave me

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

can I have your job?


Hmmm, that depends. Are you qualified? Can you

*Get used to being low man on the totem poll;
*Deal with cranky and uptight people on a daily basis;
*Accept the fact that it's a thankless job and you'll be blamed for everything, no matter how many problems you caught and fixed beforehand;

and, last but not least,

*Realize that, no matter what, you have absolutely NO veto power or authority?

If so, knock yourself out.

And thanks, James. I actually only have one Buzzcocks album. Now an author who wants an editor who owns Bauhaus/Peter Murphy or Jam albums, well, that's a WHOLE other bag of kittens! :)

http://images.webshots.com/ProThumbs/71/1771_wallpaper280.jpg

<IMG SRC=http://atamichimpo.50megs.com/images/deathmetalfuzzybutt.jpg>

She said Jesus had a twin who knew nothing about sin.

This message was edited by Alice S. Fuzzybutt on 2-12-04 @ 8:33 PM

[TheMojoPin]

And thanks, James. I actually only have one Buzzcocks album.

Despite what anyone says, you only need one, the following album (British version ONLY. It has 6 more songs! And has been remastered!)...

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005MAGA.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

<img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 2-13-04 @ 12:35 AM

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I've decided to go freelance. I WILL be much happier!

I've spent my last 36, almost 37 years on this planet, playing it "safe." And although I lost a lot of family, I was "compensated," for a lack of a better term, with some funds from the sale of my dad's house. Again, I played it safe and invested.

I own my own apartment and pay less than $800/month for it. It could easily rent for $1200. My car is paid off and the insurance isn't bad.

I think I'm going to go for it. This is a six month plan.

Thanks for the feedback!! You guys rock. Rawk?

Anyone know any affordable health insurance plans in New Jersey?

EDIT: Yeah, that's the only Buzzcock's album I own.

<IMG SRC=http://atamichimpo.50megs.com/images/deathmetalfuzzybutt.jpg>

She said Jesus had a twin who knew nothing about sin.

This message was edited by Alice S. Fuzzybutt on 2-13-04 @ 1:54 AM

[Late2party]

Ooooh, I'd like to have someone submit something to me with spelling errors.

See whether you can catch the spelling error in this: http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/martin/biography.html

-Wendell

[Late2party]

It would suck to have to edit things that other people write on an everyday basis.

I couldn't do it. I can barely write this. But I can point out the flaws in what YOU write.

Maybe I could. There is NO shortage of caustic editors, is there? If there is, then count me in.

Stet all of that, except where it makes me look like an asshole.

-W

[sr71blackbird]

Im glad that you are going to create your own happyness! Ive been thinking that alot of my own sources of anxiety and aggrivation are due to the fact that I do not have any control of my own destiny (as I currently have my life configured). Perhaps choosing your own direction and taking that chance will be such a relief at its liberation and youll be truly happy. When I try and think how it will work if I did it, I get scared, probably because of my own doubts at my ability to succede, and so I stay where Im "safe" from having to "find out". But, when I look at all the successfull people I know, they arent afraid of those risks, because they dont doubt themselves! Maybe you pointed out the key, Mrs Fuzzybutt! Good luck!!!!

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<center><B>My Thanks to ADF for the sig-pic!</B></center>

<center><B><strike>Bandwidth Hound</strike></B></center>

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[JustJon]

Fuzzy, I'd like to hire you to proofread all my posts ;)


good luck with it, Fuzzy

<img src="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/bans/rfjustjon10.gif"><BR><A href="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com">Chaotic Concepts</a>

[angrymissy]

Anyone know any affordable health insurance plans in New Jersey?

I've been looking for this too... the lowest i could find was $450/month with a high deductible :(

I'm on a long term contract job right now w/ good pay but no benefits until a go perm (even though im pretty sure this is a perma-temp job) and having no insurance is scaring the crap out of me.

<BR><img src="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/missy2.gif" width="300" height="100" border="1">

[East Side Dave]

Alice, I could use an editor for my new novel- The Snowman Won't Stop Staring At Me...and I need to talk with you about my pen-name, I don't want people knowing that I wrote it so I was thinking of a simple, plain name- like Liberace DeNiro. PM me, hunnybuns.

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Sunday night/Monday morning through Thursday night/Friday morning- 3 to 5 AM.

[wilee]

I'd say go for it Fuzzy, but there are one or two things I didn't see mentioned in this thread that I think should be brought up:

1. Did you sign some form of non-compete agreement, or anything along those lines? It could complicate getting business from people that currently use your company.

2. If you do it as freelance, like JohnnyCash, and legitimize later (as a corporation), there's lots of paperwork involved (taxes, legal forms, etc) on a regular basis that you will have to keep up with. This could be almost as bad as dealing with your current job. That's one of the reasons that I didn't buy into an electronics company with a friend of mine- too much hassle with paperwork.

Hope you work it out and good luck.

<IMG SRC="http://cwjr.home.infionline.net/sigpic.gif">

This message was edited by wilee on 2-13-04 @ 2:39 PM

[MattyBronx]

Fuzzy, congratulations and good luck. I know you'll do great.

Since you're in NJ, the land of bad insurance, you may want to consider getting just enough medical insurance to cover emergencieshospital staysetc. You may find that you pay less for regular MD, GYN, even chiropractic care visits over the course of a few years if you pay for those out of pocket rather than carry full medical coverage. Obviously, it all depends on your anticipated income and other expenses so crunch the numbers first. But if you can swing it with minimal insurance coverage, by all means consider it.

Boy, I wish I could quit my job. Maybe I should open a bar.

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[A.J.]

Good luck to you!

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