It can be exciting to work as a freelancer. You can make your plans and take advantage of chances as you see fit. But that also means you have complete control over your pay, making planning hard. Often, it takes longer than expected to finish a project. Even if you send a statement on time, payment can take weeks or months.
With this in mind, saving enough money for retirement or other financial goals or managing your money well can be challenging. After all, you can't make a budget until you know how much money you get each month. With a steady income from a regular job, it's easy to see how much you save for retirement or health insurance and build your budget around those numbers.
Making a budget may be more challenging as a worker, but it is essential if you want to fulfill your long-term financial goals.
Freelancers must be careful about their money because they have two money systems: personal and business expenses. Money can leak from either if you don't take charge.
Financial challenges a freelancer may face
Navigating freelancer finances is a challenging task but not an impossible one. Here are a few tips for financial management for freelancers.
Variable Income
One of the significant challenges for a freelancer is dealing with irregular income. Unlike salaried employees who receive a fixed paycheck, freelancers' earnings fluctuate based on project availability and payment terms. This unpredictability can make it challenging to maintain a stable budget, leading to financial stress during lean periods.
Self-Employment Taxes
Freelancers are responsible for paying self-employment taxes, which encompass both the employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes. Navigating the complex tax regulations and setting aside money for quarterly tax payments can be overwhelming, especially for those unfamiliar with tax laws. They have to deal with not only personal income tax but also business income tax, which is not easy. A certified tax professional can come in handy in this case.
Inconsistent Workload
Freelancers often face lumpy workloads, experiencing periods of high demand followed by slow business spells. The challenge lies in managing finances during the feast and famine times, as financial obligations persist regardless of workload fluctuations.
Client Payment Delays
Late client payments or non-payment can create cash flow problems for freelancers. Multiple projects with varying payment schedules can lead to difficulties in meeting personal and business expenses on time.
Lack of Benefits
Unlike traditional employees, freelancers do not receive employer-provided benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off. Securing these benefits independently can be costly and require careful planning.
Retirement Planning
Saving for retirement can be challenging for freelancers without access to employer-sponsored 401(k) plans or pensions. Establishing a retirement strategy and maintaining consistent contributions are crucial for building a secure financial future.
Emergency Funds
Freelancers lack the safety net of paid sick leave or disability benefits. Creating and maintaining an emergency fund is vital for covering unexpected expenses and safeguarding against income interruptions.
Business Expenses
Freelancers often bear the brunt of business-related expenses, including equipment, software, marketing, and professional development costs. Keeping these expenses in check while investing in essential tools and monitoring a business account can be a balancing act.
Client Acquisition Costs
Attracting new clients requires marketing efforts, networking, and sometimes even investing in advertising or promotions. Managing the cost of client acquisition while seeking profitable projects is crucial for maintaining financial viability.
Financial Management and Planning
Freelancers must play multiple roles, acting as their business's CEO, accountant, and marketing department. Balancing these responsibilities while ensuring effective financial management and planning can be overwhelming, especially for those without a financial background. Seeking professional advice or financial education becomes essential for long-term success.
Gig economy and debt - Should freelancers file for bankruptcy to navigate financial challenges?
Filing for bankruptcy is a serious decision that should not be taken lightly, and it is not the first step to address financial challenges as a freelancer. Bankruptcy should only be considered a last resort when all other options have been exhausted, and a freelancer finds themselves overwhelmed by debt with no viable means of repayment. Let's find out why.
Impact on Credit Score
Filing for bankruptcy can severely impact a freelancer's credit score, making it challenging to obtain loans or credit in the future. A lower credit score may also result in higher interest rates if credit is granted.
Loss of Assets
Depending on the type of bankruptcy filed (Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 in the United States), the freelancer may have to sell off ssets to repay creditors or adhere to a court-approved repayment plan. This can result in the loss of valuable personal or business assets.
Professional Reputation
Bankruptcy can negatively affect a freelancer's professional reputation. Some clients and potential employers may view bankruptcy as a sign of financial instability, which could impact future job opportunities.
Limited Access to Credit
After filing for bankruptcy, freelancers may find it difficult to access credit or obtain favorable terms for several years. This limitation can hinder business growth and personal financial stability.
Legal Costs
Filing for bankruptcy involves legal and administrative costs, increasing the financial burden. These costs may vary depending on the complexity of the case and the chosen legal representation.
Public Record
Bankruptcy is a matter of public record, and it can be a source of stress and embarrassment for freelancers who prefer to keep their financial struggles private.
Considering these consequences, freelancers are advised to take proactive steps to manage their financial challenges before resorting to bankruptcy.
Money management tips for freelancers -The key to financial success
Freelancing entails a lot of financial challenges. Here are a few tips to avoid a financial nightmare in a freelance career.
Know Your Monthly Average Income And Costs A Year From Now
"When your income isn't steady, pay attention to what is: your bills!"
Look at all your bills and do your best to estimate your monthly, quarterly, and even yearly costs, including how much you'd like to save. So, you won't be surprised when a hefty annual bill like your car insurance payment comes up. Remember to count business expenses, like if you want to start paying your taxes and health insurance. Write them down separately from your personal costs so you can see how much you're spending on business and how much on yourself.
From there, you can figure out how much money you need at a bare minimum to keep everything going. Once you've done this, you'll know you can still pay your bills even when business is slow. This is a different way to look at the usual way of budgeting, which is to look at your expenses to figure out how much you need to make.
Most people use this method to make a budget income minus personal expenses, savings, and money spent equals money left to enjoy. But as a freelancer, you need to change the way you budget. First, figure out how much you spend and how much you plan to save. Then, find enough work to cover your bills for the month. This will let you set a goal for how much money you want to make and help you price your services to meet your costs.
Plan a Budget
Create a comprehensive budget to track income and expenses, helping to identify areas where spending can be reduced or optimized. Reduce discretionary spending to save more money every month.
Have Backup Plans to Ensure Stability
Hannah O'Neill, Freelance Copywriter, and Marketing Strategist, said, For all of its benefits, the gig economy also brings a lot of uncertainty for freelancers, and there's never a guarantee of work. When finances get low, it's natural to panic, but bankruptcy is rarely the right option.
Filing for bankruptcy risks your future and can affect your opportunities later in life. Debt is a serious issue, but freelancers should always have backups to help them escape a hole when times are hard.
Maintaining an active LinkedIn presence means getting messages from potential clients and having an Upwork profile for when extra work is needed.
It's not always ideal, as the money made on Upwork usually can't compare to the rates from private clients, but it helps pay the bills and have some security during difficult times.
Ultimately, having stability and contingencies in place is better than filing for bankruptcy and risking financial prospects in the future.
Increase Income
Explore opportunities to increase freelance income by marketing skills, finding new clients, or diversifying services.
Negotiate Payment Terms
Communicate with clients to negotiate reasonable payment terms that maintain cash flow stability.
Build an Emergency Fund
Build and maintain an emergency fund to handle unexpected expenses and income fluctuations. Open a savings account to set aside money for your emergency monthly expenses. Use this personal account only when it is necessary.
Make a Debt Management Plan
Prioritize debt repayment and consider consolidation or negotiation with creditors to manage outstanding debts. Here's how you can manage debts.
Get Ready for Taxes, for Real
Tax season can be a headache for self-employed people who work for themselves if they aren't ready. It's important to remember that taxes work differently for businesses than for workers, whose taxes are automatically taken from their paychecks every two weeks.
In other words, you must calculate your taxable income so that tax time doesn't scare you. It's helpful to save 15% to 30% of your income in one of those business bank accounts for the feared tax season. Consult a tax preparer to learn about deductible business expenses, your tax bracket, and how to save personal money.
Have Separate Bank Accounts
Freelancers should keep their business and personal savings accounts separate for several important reasons:
- Financial Organization: Separating business and personal finances helps maintain clear financial records. It makes it easier to track income, expenses, and tax-related transactions, streamlining accounting and reducing the likelihood of confusion or errors.
- Tax Compliance: Keeping expenses separate ensures that all business-related income and expenses are accounted for separately. This simplifies tax reporting and minimizes the risk of misclassifying expenses or missing out on eligible deductions.
- Legal Liability Protection: Keeping business funds separate establishes a clear distinction between personal and business assets. This separation can help protect your personal assets in case of legal issues, debts, or lawsuits related to your freelance work.
- Professionalism: Maintaining separate accounts demonstrates professionalism to clients, vendors, and other business partners. It instills confidence in your financial practices and portrays a more organized and reliable image to others.
- Budgeting and Financial Planning: Separating your finances allows for better budgeting and financial planning. You can set aside funds for business expenses, growth initiatives, and emergency savings, helping you stay financially stable during lean times.
- Financial Visibility: Having dedicated business accounts gives you a clear view of your business's financial health. You can quickly assess how well your freelance business is performing, identify areas for improvement, and make informed financial decisions.
- Easier Auditing and Reporting: If you ever face an audit or need to provide financial reports to clients or investors, having separate accounts streamlines the process and ensures that the relevant information is readily available. Business bank accounts can save a lot of money and time during this time.
- Avoiding Personal Expenses Mix-up: Mixing personal and business monthly expenses can lead to unnecessary complications and difficulty tracking tax-deductible costs. Keeping separate accounts prevents accidental mixing and the need for time-consuming corrections.
- Financial Discipline: With separate accounts, you're less likely to dip into business funds for personal expenses and vice versa. This promotes better financial discipline and can help you manage your money more effectively.
- Peace of Mind: Keeping your business and personal finances separate provides peace of mind. You know your financial matters are organized, compliant, and protected, allowing you to focus on growing your freelance business without undue financial stress.
- Professional Financial Advice: Seek guidance from a financial advisor or counselor who can offer personalized strategies for handling financial challenges.
It is essential for freelancers to fully understand the implications of bankruptcy and consult with qualified financial experts or attorneys to assess their specific situation thoroughly. By taking proactive steps and seeking assistance, freelancers can work towards regaining financial stability without resorting to bankruptcy.
