Freelancing can be a rewarding career choice. You get to be your own boss, set your own hours, and choose the projects you want to work on. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to managing your finances.
Without a steady paycheck, it can be hard to plan for the future. That’s why having a solid financial plan is crucial.
This article will talk about tips to create a financial plan that works for you as a freelancer.
Key Takeaways
- Track your earnings and calculate your average monthly income to create a realistic budget.
- List all your expenses, including both personal and business costs, and prioritize essential expenses.
- Set aside 25-30% of your income for taxes and pay estimated taxes quarterly to avoid penalties.
- Build an emergency fund with three to six months’ worth of living expenses to cover unexpected costs.
- Open a retirement account, such as an IRA or Solo 401(k), and make regular contributions to secure your financial future.
- Invest in your freelance business by setting specific goals and creating a budget for business expenses to ensure growth and sustainability.
Understanding Your Income
The first step in creating a financial plan is to understand your income. Freelancers often have irregular income, which can make budgeting tricky.
Start by tracking your earnings. Use a spreadsheet or an app to record every payment you receive. Therefore you can see how much money you make each month.
Tracking your earnings is more than just jotting down numbers. It involves categorizing your income sources. For instance, you might have multiple clients, each paying you at different times.
By categorizing, you can identify which clients are the most reliable and which projects are the most profitable. Based on this, you can make informed decisions about which clients to prioritize and which projects to seek out.
Calculate Your Average Monthly Income
Once you have tracked your earnings for a few months, calculate your average monthly income. Add up your earnings for the past six months and divide by six. Then you can have a good idea of how much money you can expect to make each month.
Calculating your average monthly income helps smooth out the highs and lows of freelancing. Some months might be exceptionally good, while others might be slow.
Budgeting for Freelancers
Next, list all your expenses. Include both fixed expenses (like rent and utilities) and variable expenses (like groceries and entertainment). Don’t forget to consider business expenses, such as software subscriptions, office supplies, and marketing costs.
Listing your expenses requires a detailed approach. Break down your expenses into categories. For fixed expenses, list items like rent, utilities, and insurance. For variable expenses, include groceries, dining out, and entertainment.
Business expenses should be categorized separately, including costs like internet, software, and professional development. The detailed breakdown will help you see where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back if needed.
Create a Budget
Now that you know your income and expenses, create a budget. Start with your fixed expenses, then add your variable expenses. Make sure to include a category for savings. Your budget should balance your income and expenses, with some money left over for savings.
You need to set priorities. Determine which expenses are essential and which are discretionary. Allocate your income to cover your essential expenses first. Then, allocate funds for discretionary spending and savings.
A well-structured budget will help you live within your means and save for future goals. Consider using budgeting tools or apps to help you stay on track.
Saving for Taxes
As a freelancer, you are responsible for paying your own taxes. That’s to say you need to set aside money from each payment you receive. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 25-30% of your income for taxes to ensure you have enough money to pay your taxes when they are due.
Setting aside money for taxes requires discipline. Each time you receive a payment, immediately transfer a portion to a separate savings account designated for taxes. Such practice will prevent you from spending money that you will need to pay your tax bill.
Additionally, keeping your tax savings separate from your regular savings will help you avoid any confusion.
Pay Estimated Taxes
In addition to setting aside money for taxes, you may need to pay estimated taxes. These are quarterly payments that freelancers are required to make to the IRS. Check the IRS website for more information on estimated taxes and how to pay them.
Building an Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is a savings account that you can use in case of unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or car repairs. As a freelancer, having an emergency fund is especially important because your income can be unpredictable.
As you can imagine, an emergency fund provides a financial safety net. Without a steady paycheck, you might face periods of low income.
An emergency fund can help you cover your expenses during these times, reducing stress and allowing you to focus on finding new work. It also prevents you from going into debt when unexpected expenses arise.
How to Build an Emergency Fund
Start by setting a goal for your emergency fund. For example, save three to six months’ worth of living expenses. Once you have a goal, start saving a portion of your income each month until you reach your goal.
Building an emergency fund requires consistent effort. Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your emergency fund savings account. Even small amounts can add up over time.
Review your budget to find areas where you can cut back and redirect those funds to your emergency fund. Celebrate milestones along the way to stay motivated.
Planning for Retirement
Freelancers don’t have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans, so it’s important to open your own retirement account. Consider opening an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or a Solo 401(k). Both of these accounts offer tax advantages and can help you save for retirement.
Opening a retirement account involves researching your options. An IRA is a good choice for many freelancers, offering tax-deferred growth or tax-free withdrawals, depending on the type of IRA. If you’re not sure how to set up an IRA, there are lots of resources online, it’s pretty easy. A Solo 401(k) is another option, allowing higher contribution limits.
Consult with a financial advisor to determine which account is best for your situation.
Contribute Regularly
Once you have opened a retirement account, make regular contributions. Even small contributions can add up over time. Set a goal to contribute a certain percentage of your income each month.
Contributing regularly to your retirement account requires discipline. Set up automatic contributions to ensure you are consistently saving.
Managing Debt
If you have any debts, such as student loans or credit card debt, list them out. Include the total amount owed, the interest rate, and the minimum monthly payment for each debt.
Listing your debts requires a detailed approach. Create a spreadsheet to track each debt, including the creditor, balance, interest rate, and minimum payment. Then you’ll have a clear picture of your debt situation and help you prioritize which debts to pay off first.
Create a Debt Repayment Plan
Create a plan to pay off your debts. First you can pay off the debt with the highest interest rate first, while making minimum payments on your other debts. Once the highest interest debt is paid off, move on to the next highest interest debt. It is known as the avalanche method.
Creating a debt repayment plan involves setting realistic goals. Determine how much extra you can afford to pay towards your highest interest debt each month. Track your progress and celebrate milestones along the way. Consider using debt repayment tools or apps to help you stay on track.
Investing in Your Freelance Business
You also need to consider investing in your business. Set your business goals. These could include things like upgrading your equipment, taking a course to learn a new skill, or marketing your services to attract new clients.
Setting business goals requires careful planning. Identify areas where you can improve your business and set specific, measurable goals.
For example, if you want to upgrade your equipment, determine what you need and how much it will cost. If you want to learn a new skill, research courses and set a timeline for completion.
Create a Business Budget
Create a budget for your business expenses. Include things like software subscriptions, office supplies, and marketing costs. Make sure to set aside money each month to invest in your business.
Creating a business budget involves tracking your business expenses separately from your personal expenses. Use a spreadsheet or accounting software to categorize your expenses.
Allocate funds for essential business expenses first, then set aside money for investments. Review your budget regularly to ensure you are staying on track.
Protecting Your Income
Consider getting insurance to protect your income. Health insurance is a must, but don’t overlook other types of insurance if you need them. Disability insurance can provide a financial safety net if you are unable to work.
Liability insurance can protect you from legal claims. Consult with an insurance agent to determine the coverage you need.
Diversify Your Income
Another way to protect your income is to diversify your income streams. This means having multiple sources of income. For example, you could offer different types of services, sell products, or create passive income streams, such as writing a book or creating an online course.
Diversifying your income involves exploring new opportunities. Identify areas where you can expand your services or create new products. For example, if you are a writer, consider offering editing services or creating an online course.
Diversifying your income can provide financial stability and reduce your reliance on a single income source.
Reviewing and Adjusting Your Plan
Your financial plan is not set in stone. Review your plan regularly to make sure it still works for you. Look at your income and expenses, and make adjustments as needed.
Reviewing your plan involves setting aside time each month to evaluate your progress. Compare your actual income and expenses to your budget. Identify areas where you are overspending or where you can save more. Make adjustments to your plan as needed to stay on track.
Adjust Your Plan as Needed
If your income increases, consider increasing your savings or investing more in your business. If your expenses increase, look for ways to cut back. The key is to be flexible and make adjustments as needed.
Adjusting your plan requires being proactive. If you receive a large payment, allocate a portion to your savings or retirement account. If your expenses increase, review your budget to find areas where you can cut back. The key is to stay flexible and make adjustments as needed to achieve your financial goals.
