Had to pick between a local client and a bigger project out of state

A regular client in Phoenix offered me a 6 month contract for their site, but the same week I got a referral for a one-off project with a bigger budget in California. I chose the local gig for the steady work, even though the pay was less upfront. It was the right call because the ongoing work covered my bills while I looked for more clients. Has anyone else passed on a bigger payday for more reliable income?

3 comments

3 Comments

dylancarr1d ago

Wasn't there a whole thing in a business podcast about the "feast or famine" cycle? They talked about how a lot of freelancers chase the big single projects, but then have huge gaps with no income. Taking the steady local gig builds a floor under you. It lets you breathe and plan, instead of panicking when that one big check is gone. That security is worth more than a temporary cash bump.

piper_garcia231d ago

Steady work beats a one time check.

the_amy23h ago

Hold on... that feels too safe to me. A big check can change your whole game if you use it right. It can buy you time to find better work, or pay for training to get out of the grind for good. Steady local gigs often just keep you stuck in the same place, barely getting by. I'd rather take the swing at something bigger and deal with the gaps.