8 Comments

  1. Jo-Anne

    I keep mulling freelancing… but have realized the best way to boost my income is similar to what you have done. Maximize my education to maximize how much companies (really a cushy gov’t job!) will pay me for my expertise (thank you specialized position!!).

    I admire the people who not only hustle but hustle well and really are able to make a living either through blogs or side work. Its not always easy to take time out of our already busy lives to add one more thing in. Good luck on getting someone else to figure out your taxes and then hopefully be able to do it yourself!

    • I agree, Jo-Anne. Freelancing is hard work. Even freelancing in terms of tutoring. It’s hard to find gigs for yourself. Of course, I could use platforms, but they take such a huge cut. I honestly think of the things that gets lost the most in conversations about hustling (side or otherwise) is that there can be a real bang-for-your-buck aspect to our full-time gigs. That isn’t the case for everyone, but it is for a lot of people!

  2. Jody

    I keep kicking around the possibility of freelancing.

    -On one hand, I write a weekly newsletter at work and know I’ve got the skills and could do it, no problem. Might as well capitalize on my strengths, right?
    -On the other hand, *I write a weekly newsletter at work* and the last thing I want to do is write more when I’m home!

    Another part is just the cumbersome task of getting started. Where to begin? As an introvert, I work better behind the scenes. Task me with something, I’ll get it done. Want me to go digging for something or market myself? Ugh.

    Now, freelance proofing or research? I’d be curious to hear more about that….but freelance writing is still tabled for now.

    • I feel this in my bones, Jody! I definitely only take side gigs that I truly enjoy. I’ve learned the hard way that it just isn’t worth the aggravation otherwise. I also tend to only really pursue things that fall into my lap. It’s amazing how quickly one gig can turn into many, though.

      Also, you could definitely find work copyediting. I’ve pulled in anywhere from $20 to more than $30 an hour for it. I’ve also heard of people making much more!

  3. Okay, so I put off freelancing full time because I was THAT terrified of the taxes. I’ve reported every grand cent, but I’m still paranoid that I’ve been doing it wrong! 😛

    I’ve been using Quickbooks Self-Employed and I keep everything nice ‘n’ tidy there for the IRS. It tracks your income and reminds you when to pay quarterly taxes (and yes, you have to pay quarterly taxes on side income, not once a year).

    Obviously talk to your accountant, but this is a good place to start. 🙂

    • It’s not even that I’m afraid I’ll mess up reporting. I do that part really well (Honest Abe, Honest Penny). But it’s the deductions that I stink at! Mostly because I have the “oh, that doesn’t count” or “oh, that won’t add up” mentality. I think working with a pro one time will help me get some clarity on that.

      And LOOK AT YOU, MS. FULL TIME FREELANCER <3

  4. We started doing quarterly taxes this year. It’s been good so far, waiting to see what the difference will be this year compared to not doing it last year.

    • I just don’t want to be penalized. I’m like such a child sometimes. It turns out that I will work *really* hard to avoid a penalty; much harder than for a reward sometimes. Weird. 😀

      Glad it’s worked well for you so far, Chonce!

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