First real salary

Posted on 2010/01/28 07:33:56 (January 2010).

Started my “trade” three months ago. Stopped working for my previous employer last November. This is the first month I got a decent “salary” as a self-employed worker.
I earned more than the French “smic”, which is the legal minimum wage for full-time employees. Not bad when one considers the fact that I work on average 18 hours a week.
Combined with Christelle’s salary, we’re doing good. I can devote the rest of my time to kids, painting and writing.

The only snag is that it will never be permanent. I constantly have to get new customers. We’ll see.

Well at least the start is good, customers will come if you are good at what you do, do not worry! :D

Posted by Lox at 2010/01/28 10:24:55.

Well that's good news at least. We have the NMW here too and given the amount on offer, it's not that great. However, I congratulate you for making your business milestone so quickly! Things can only get better! :-))

I'm sure Bryan can offer more useful comments than mine though! :-)

Posted by Nigel at 2010/01/28 10:26:53.

Good to hear, Sheri! Good luck for the coming months and years!

Nigel: Thanks for your vote of confidence :-) I'd say that a contact network is of prime importance in being self-employed - word of mouth is the best advertising. In 17 years of working for myself I have advertised my services in the paper just once, and it didn't make a jot of difference hehe

Posted by Bryan at 2010/01/28 11:03:04.

Thanks to you all for your support.

"A contact network"
"Word of mouth"
Crucial words indeed !

Nigel : What would be the equivalent of your NMW in euros?

Posted by Sheri at 2010/01/28 16:23:55.

The National Minimum Wage would be about 6.72 euros per hour.

Appalling, but there you go...

Posted by Nigel at 2010/01/28 19:54:19.

Mmm. In France it's about €8.86 (gross), with makes €1,240 per month. .... I'm well above that (and I'm talking net)! Let's hope it'll last.
I shouldn't boast about it, though. Firstly because it brings bad luck. Secondly cose I s'pose John earns 4 times more money (and spends it all on food).

Boasting apart, I'm entitled to be proud.

Posted by Sheri at 2010/01/29 07:14:32.

€1,240 per month... if one works 35 hours a week

Posted by Sheri at 2010/01/29 07:16:41.

The lowest minimum wage in Greece is €600 a month, although some people are on as low as €400 a month, often without any form of national insurance. And prices in Greece are on a par (if not higher, for some everyday things) than in France or the UK. Of course, Greece is on the verge of bankruptcy, which doesn't help much either!!!

Posted by Bryan at 2010/01/29 12:04:35.

Don't tell me they just fast on bread, goat cheese and olive oil. Mind you, it's a good diet.

Posted by Sheri at 2010/01/29 12:38:19.

How much is national insurance for a self-employed person in France, Sheri?

Posted by Bryan at 2010/01/29 13:02:55.

It's a percentage. I pay 20.5 % of my turnover on a monthly basis. It includes national insurance (health cover + retirement) and taxes.

Posted by Sheri at 2010/01/29 15:30:50.

When I was self employed I paid 45.8% :( No wonder why everyone evade taxes here!!

Posted by Lox at 2010/01/29 15:38:32.

It's a new professional status called "auto-entrepreneur". There is a condition to benefit from it : You cannot earn more than €32,000 a year (if working in the service industry ).
It's good for me. Firstly because I 'm far from reaching such a ceiling. Secondly, I also teach to private students via the "cheque emploi service". It's declared, they pay social security contributions (a minimum amount, because I already have a cover) and -- that's the interesting bit -- it's tax-deductible (50%).

- With companies, I charge €44 an hour (no VAT!!!). Believe it or not, I’m the cheapest.
- With private students, I charge €20 an hour. They pay an extra €6 in contributions. That makes a total of €26, of which they deduct (or recover if not liable to taxes) 50%.

Not bad, as you can see.

Posted by Sheri at 2010/01/29 19:07:22.

Congratulations Sheri! I like money. As you point out, I also like spending it on food. :)

Posted by John at 2010/02/02 07:52:41.

You are a bon vivant.
;-)

Posted by Sheri at 2010/02/03 18:06:33.

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