I would like some thoughts on how to drop a longstanding client that has become more work than he is worth. While I don't want to burn my bridges by being rude, I no longer want to do any work for him. He has become overly demanding of my time and attention and is generally unpleasant. I find the unpleasantness hardest to deal with and very draining. From the start I bent over backwards to help him best I could. Because he knows I'm that type of person, he's now pushing as much as he can to wring as much out of me for as little payment as possible.

We've had a work relationship for about eight months now and it has gradually become more difficult to accomodate him despite my best efforts. He's also the slowest when it comes to paying on time and I need to pursue him each and every month.

Now I've finally realized just how much of a drain on me this all is, I've decided it's time to terminate that relationship once and for all. It's not worth the aggravation nor the stress. As we work on a month to month basis and he's just paid me for the last month, this is the time to make the break.

Please suggest ways to do so in a professional and clear manner. I don't think my nerves can handle working any longer with this man.

Thanks!