luckykaa

I have a contract in Germany, starting on the 24th March  I now have too much to deal with and too many decisions to decide.

Issue 1: Payroll Management. One of the issues with freelancing is that you actually need to deal with tax. Permanent employment is dealt with by PAYE. A chunk of money is taken from your salary each month to pay tax and NI. Some contractors set up a limited company and work as employees of that. Alternatively you can just join an umbrella company which is a bit of a fudge of the tax system but is a nice low hassle way of doing things.

These solutions don't really fit the German tax system. Ideally I need to be classified as a freelancer. The umbrella company that I was with had a solution that seems to be incompatible with the client.

Issue 2: Car. I like my car!!! Could take it with me of course but that involves finding out what the rules are with taking it with me. Or I could sell it. Seems a shame since I've had it for just 2 months. Driving does allow me to take more luggage of course, and owning a car has been so nice.

Issue 3: Storage. I have heaps of stuff in a storage locker in Hollingbury. It's not all that easy to access though because it's crammed to the rafters and up a flight of steps. I asked about getting a larger one at ground level. They offered me a reduced rate because I'd been with them a long time. I could do that or I could go to a different storage centre for even less but don't get weekend access and would have to have my stuff moved.

Issue 4: Somewhere to live. Actually Berlin seems a lot more affordable than Amsterdam. Or even Brighton for that matter. Still, will probably AirB&B it for the first month. Sick of hotels.

I think that's all I really need to consider. Although am pondering whether to get a better PC. Does anyone know who makes laptops with 1080p or better screens? Might get myself a credit card to pay for it as well since if I get an Avios Amex card just for the frequent flyer points.