I feel your concern, I've always struggled with phone conversations (none of the visual clues of face-to-face but without the buffer email gives). Anyway I woul

I feel your concern, I've always struggled with phone conversations (none of the visual clues of face-to-face but without the buffer email gives). Anyway I would advise... Just stay firm (as opposed to demand). If he asks for delay then maybe offer something you can cope with but isn't as vague as "next month". 7 days, 14 days - something like that. Offer a specific date it will be paid by. Don't be pushed back though; invent some reason why you need the money (i.e. rent payment etc.) if needed. Then when you hang up send him a confirmation email with that date in it. At the end of the day as a contractor his sob stories are not really your problem. On the other hand your financial difficulties are. A little "me first" attitude is appropriate in these situations (stops you being fobbed off). EDIT: this is a good learning experience btw. It's not just for contractors but all sorts of companies will delay or "forget" to pay you. Where I work the woman who does all the admin spends a good 20% of her time chasing invoices (it has made me resolve to settle every bill I get as soon as I can from now on!)