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Can't pass a background check, and this is time-sensitive. I also like my independence since, in times past, things have been difficult to hang onto long-term due to said baggage.

Okay, fair enough.

I wish you all the best and a Happy New Year!

starting a new gig generally involves not getting paid for nearly a month.

//or so i'm told

Not always. I request 30% of the estimated amount upfront, when dealing with new clients. Once trust is established, I don't bother my clients with pre-payments.

A full-time job implies a commitment of at least several months, possibly years. That isn’t a commitment I’d walk into lightly, could take many weeks of research and interviews. This guy needs to pay rent.

Could be a variety of reasons. Not everyone is interested in being beholden to a single company. Just like an investment portfolio, it can be a worthwhile to have a diversified income strategy.