4 ms·

This comment sharing more of my life than I'm strictly comfortable with and coming off as patronizingly preachy is my highest point earner. Go figure.

ironic_ali 9y ago
Maybe(?) the comment is preachy, but the sentiment is borne of goodwill and of course, reality. It's a wake up and I personally need to get on to this.
- patryn20 9y ago
  What I really want to get across is that young entrepreneurs need to plan for aging/medical emergencies. The reality of where you live and the potential for unexpected medical expenses can devastatingly impact your life and business if you don't properly plan for those outliers. I'd recommend you determine your acceptable level of financial exposure to disaster and get competent legal and financial advice to protect yourself and fully understand the potential ramifications of your self employment and/or startup decisions.
youdontknowtho 9y ago
It was a great point. Once I realized that the writer was from emea, health care and social safety net were the first thing that popped into my mind. Your experience is valuable. Thank you for sharing it. As I was reading ops post, I personally latched on to the writer having what sounded like a family that actively cared what happened to him. That's not something that everyone has. Going to bed hungry and not knowing where your next meal might come from will alter your level of comfort with employment risk.
mtbcoder 9y ago
I thought it was salient and not at all preachy. I came to similar conclusions several years ago. The lack of social safety nets in the US is a heavy burden in the long run for independent contractors and eventually the burden becomes too heavy. I think every independent contractor needs to re-evaluate their business every six months or so and be realistic with their long-term outlooks.
return0 9y ago
welcome to show business. (your comment was fine, really)
lr4444lr 9y ago
You kept it real. HN appreciates keepin' it real.

ironic_ali 9y ago

Maybe(?) the comment is preachy, but the sentiment is borne of goodwill and of course, reality. It's a wake up and I personally need to get on to this.

patryn20 9y ago
What I really want to get across is that young entrepreneurs need to plan for aging/medical emergencies. The reality of where you live and the potential for unexpected medical expenses can devastatingly impact your life and business if you don't properly plan for those outliers. I'd recommend you determine your acceptable level of financial exposure to disaster and get competent legal and financial advice to protect yourself and fully understand the potential ramifications of your self employment and/or startup decisions.

youdontknowtho 9y ago

It was a great point. Once I realized that the writer was from emea, health care and social safety net were the first thing that popped into my mind. Your experience is valuable. Thank you for sharing it. As I was reading ops post, I personally latched on to the writer having what sounded like a family that actively cared what happened to him. That's not something that everyone has. Going to bed hungry and not knowing where your next meal might come from will alter your level of comfort with employment risk.

mtbcoder 9y ago

I thought it was salient and not at all preachy. I came to similar conclusions several years ago. The lack of social safety nets in the US is a heavy burden in the long run for independent contractors and eventually the burden becomes too heavy. I think every independent contractor needs to re-evaluate their business every six months or so and be realistic with their long-term outlooks.

return0 9y ago

welcome to show business. (your comment was fine, really)

lr4444lr 9y ago

You kept it real. HN appreciates keepin' it real.