Re: #4. I'm a consultant for a company. I bill at like $300 an hour and make something like $40 an hour.
As far as cutting expenses goes that's something I need to work on. I basically can't take a pay cut because I live paycheck to paycheck. I already live in one of the lowest cost areas in the country and make 2x average pay in the area.
Re: #4. I'm a consultant for a company. I bill at like $300 an hour and make something like $40 an hour.
That's a hideous pimp cut (86%).
You probably can't work for those clients directly-- I'm sure it's in your contract-- so what you need to do is ask these people, who are paying $300 for you and happy to do so, if they can refer you to friends or other businesses (who might be their own side projects) that might be willing to meet you, individually, in the $100-150/hour range.
Your contract may prohibit you from cutting out your employer for an existing client, but says nothing about leads you get while on a job. Given how badly you're getting screwed, your top priority in each gig should be to get leads that support your independent consulting efforts.
As far as cutting expenses goes that's something I need to work on. I basically can't take a pay cut because I live paycheck to paycheck. I already live in one of the lowest cost areas in the country and make 2x average pay in the area.