Being a freelancer has its perks and one of it is the freedom to choose the projects and clients you want. However, the downside is that as a freelancer, you don’t have a stable weekly or monthly income to depend on.
Some months are pretty dry up while there are months I’m super booked up even on weekends (and I hate working on weekends because that’s eating into my family time).
So importantly, as a freelancer, you need to learn to take advantage of your unique situation to try to save as much money as possible to tide you over dry months.
Here are some of my personal tips to save as a freelancer:
Travel During Off-Peak Hours
Because it is less crowded and cheaper too. Usually, off-peak, public transportation can cost 50% less than the usual rates. A big plus that you don’t have to squeeze into a sardine-packed train with a mixture of body odours around you. Sniff sniff!
Shop During The Weekdays
The retail staff are usually much more cheerful when they are not overwhelmed by the weekend crowds. If you shop at quaint little local shops, you might even be allowed to bargain down your price or have a freebie thrown in with your purchases. I usually get my total round down to the nearest dollar just because the owner wants to close a deal on a slow weekday.
Lunch During Weekdays
No queue during lunch hour unless the food place is near an office building. The major plus is the executive lunches that are bundled to attract the office lunch crowd. Usually at a low rate with a full set of appetizer, main meal, a drink and even a dessert!
Work In The Library
If you can’t work at home because the bed is too much of a temptation, try going to a library. Firstly, it is quiet. Secondly, the resources are within reach. Best of all, you don’t have to order another cup of coffee just because that service staff over the counter has been staring down at you for the past hour.
Shop Your Clothes Online
With more time on your hands, you can now shop online for your clothes without leaving the comfort of your home. Cutting away the cost of traditional brick and mortar, you only need to pay for shipping. The best part is that you’ll be at home waiting for the parcel to arrive!
Only The Basics
Talking about clothes, you don’t need as much work clothes since you work from home most of the time plus who is going to meet you on a weekday when all your friends are working. Keep your clothes to the minimal basics and dress it up with accessories to create a different look instead. Invest in a different type of pyjamas instead, you’ll be lounging in that with your laptop most of the time at home anyways.
Watch A Movie On Weekdays
Again the weekday deals are too good to miss out. Usually, the price of weekday movie ticket is way cheaper than a weekend ticket. Even as a walk-in, you’ll have a choice of seats without needing to book online in advance. Save your booking fee!
No matter what, it is important to have emergency funds in your bank for those unexpected rainy days. As a freelancer, you’ll never know when the next job is going to come.
Are you a freelancer too? Share with us how you save money in the comments below so we can all save at the same time.
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MiddleMe 
Now this is my kind of blog. Thanks for sharing this miss Kally. I hope Aubrey is doing well
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Thank you for asking. Audrey, as usual, is being a little diva and now is celebrating her very first Chinese New Year.
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Oh wonderful. Please do wish her a very happy new year from my side. I send my sloppy kisses.. Lol!!
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Lol! Sloppy kisses received and double sloppy kisses sent back! 😘 😘
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I feel this pain right now! It’s been slow all through January and February. I’m running out of my emergency funds. My steps in March are getting new clients to make more money!
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I wish you all the best! Believe in yourself that you can do it and the whole universe will make it happen when you wish it hard enough. Big hugs!
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THANKS so much for sharing this PRUDENT Advice,
I never did the “fly alone thing” BUT have the greatest respect for those of you who do.
God Bless you,
Patrick
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Thank you Patrick!
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this post perked me up!
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Yay!! *beam my smile* 😊
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You’ve shared some very practical tips here Kally.
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Thank you so much. I hope it will help many other freelancers!
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and when do you write a content by tittle “how to get my phone number when you are fall in love?
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Great post thanks for the information
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Thank you so much! And welcome to MiddleMe.
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Great post thanks for sharing that information on the freelancer funds on how to save
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Thank you so much. I hope to help as many freelancers to achieve their success as possible. 🙂
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Working in the library, on free WiFi, is a great tip! 👍😄
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Thank you! We do what we can to scrimp and save. Everything is so expensive nowadays.
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Good advice Kally, for a freelancer or a retiree on a fixed income. I’ve never bought clothes online; I think I’ll try it. You can also get glasses online. Have you had any experience with that?
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I haven’t tried getting glasses online, maybe I should try, mine is getting pretty old. I had bought food, clothes, shoes online. Save the time and bus fare to go out to buy those stuff.
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I’m about to take the leap and get my glasses online. I still prefer brick and mortar stores, probably because I walk for exercise and ‘needing something’ forces me to go out.
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Good luck to the leap! I prefer brick and mortar stores as well but living in an overpopulated city, I prefer to do my shopping at the comfort of my own bed rather than to squeeze through the crowd.
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What kind of job are you doing as a freelancer?
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I write mostly for media companies and private clients. I do career consulting as well as customer service and social media management. 🙂
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Good to know and wish you the best in your career .
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Thank you so much! 🙂
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Heyy, I so do most of that. Loved the post. The weekday liberty is one of the reasons I freelance.
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In agreement with you! I love my freedom too.
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Related to that post a great deal.
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Thank you for your comment!! Glad that you can relate.
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I stayed home and babysat which meant for nine summers and seven full years I had to be careful with my budget.
I “bartered” with hairdressers, handymen and other business people. I would clean to earn a fixed product, watch children at night to earn a haircut for me or my 3 kids. I would take professional time to create a calendar to show parents. My kids got free swim lessons, paid jazz or ballet lessons, etc. Just find something you are good at, to exchange for work. I also painted pictures since I do children’s names and historical homes pen and ink with watercolors. . . Smiles yo you, Kally for a fine post! 💐
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Wow! You are so talented! I couldn’t paint to save my life. Lol. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Very insightful indeed.
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I was hoping to help those who may not be professionals in their independent businesses, letting them know that “bartering” may actually work in some locations. Happy if my experiences help at all, Kally. You were most kind! 💐
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Great tips, Kally. Working freelance and from home is great, especially for mums. I can imagine the benefits to and for the family must be, in particular, so healthy. I can foresee many more being encouraged to join this group in the future. How fantastic it will be when technology produces effects such as holographic meetings, as such, as a regular aspect of life! I don’t think this is very far away.
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I love it that there are so much opportunities in freelancing and it is a very young industry. You get to control how much you earn and how much time you can put in. Great for working from home mums and also wonderful for those who are at home taking care of elderly.
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So interesting! Freelancing sounds great, especially working from home, but everything has risks and stress…
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Yes, everything has it pros and cons. But I’m loving freelancing for it gives me the freedom to explore what I am capable of. 🙂
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All very good advice to enjoy a moderate quality of life, though not much – if any- makes it into the piggy bank in the end
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Hey, Bea! Usually mine ends up buying clothes for the little diva. Haha. But I do save up on what little left I had.
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This is great, really necessary tips. Although I’m not a freelancer I have flexible working hours so I can use these.
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Thank you for telling me these tips works for you! And welcome to MiddleMe!
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