Category Archives: Freelancing/Self-employed

How my first job at 18 taught me to be a boss

February 3, 2019 By in Freelancing/Self-employed Tags: , , , , , 23 Comments

*Collaborative post.

 

I got a job in a retail bank as a customer service when I was 18 years old. It was my first job. I got a 3 months contract with this bank that cannot named for many reasons. It was an internship sort of contract. Part of the requirements of my Bsc Accounting Degree at the university. I remember the experience being hard at first for me as a teenager. It was my first job, so understandably I found it a bit difficult waking up extra early every morning for 3 months to be at my desk ready for customers by 8am.

This job was nothing I taught it would be when I daydreamed about it many years ago. I saw myself working somewhere fun and far away. I thought of jobs like ski chalet jobs, and working as a life guard on a beautiful beach. But my reality was far from that. Having said that, it was a fun role. I enjoyed the experience and all it taught me.

 

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Here are some things I took away with me –

 

The early bird catches the worm

I learnt the importance of being punctual for every job. I also learnt the importance grabbing every business opportunity that comes my way. With this job, opportunities came in form of customers wanting to open accounts but were unsure of which account to go for, and so on. I have taken this life lesson away with me to the self – employment world, and it helps me stay on top of my game. Being on time and making the most of the opportunities that come my way have helped my business.

 

Be professional

My manager taught me the importance of being professional and I carried took those life lessons with me. Staying professional and being myself at various workplace have saved my sanity and job. I always remember to stay professional even now that I work for myself. And I think it is more important to be professional when you run your own business or work for yourself as it is easy to cross the line with clients and business associates.

 

Dress to impress

My customer service role didn’t really teach me to dress to impress. I had that in me long before starting my first job. But it kind of reminded me of the importance of looking your best when on the job.

 

These are some of the life lessons I took away with me from my first job as a young shy 18-year-old. What did you take away from yours?

 

 

What to Wear When You Work From Home

January 20, 2019 By in Fashion, Freelancing/Self-employed Tags: , , , , , 42 Comments

What do you wear when you work from home? This is one question many self-employed/freelancers ask themselves over and over again. As many of you already know, I work from home and have done so for the past 5 years. Working home alone means I get to wear what I like, when I like. I could decide to work in my nightwear all day if I choose to, or I could work from the comfort of my bed in my loungewear. The fashion choice is mine and I love that about my job. It is liberating.

 

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I like to get out of my sleepwear everyday, even though I work from home. The Kiddies started primary school last September, so the school run is now a morning and afternoon routine. I love it because it gets me out of the house everyday, and I like to be presentable when I step out of the house. Which is why I always take a morning shower and get dressed every morning. I like to be dressed and ready for work by 9:30am almost everyday.

 

Here are 2 things I have in mind when I am picking out what to wear when working from home –

 

Comfort

The first thing I have in mind when it comes to styling my working from home outfit is comfort. You will easily find me wearing a pair of leggings or joggers depending on the weather. I like causal comfy tops as well, and dresses are my preferred option in the summer months. Comfy clothing allow me move around freely and stylishly.

 

Material

Many people are too lazy to get out of their sleepwear. Others love the feel of their pyjamas on their skin, and live in them. I get why many find their pyjamas so comfy, they sleep and work in them. I find mine comfy too! Which is why I like go for pieces with material that feels as comfortable as my sleepwear. You usually won’t catch me wearing lace or any complicated/overly dressy material.

 

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Do you work from home? What do you wear?

 

 

Self Employment on a Budget

January 7, 2019 By in Freelancing/Self-employed Tags: , , , , , , , , , , 21 Comments

I have been self-employed for a few years now and although I love it, it does come with its challenges. On some month, I am super busy and my bank account is smiling. And some other months, it can be super quiet. One minute I could be wondering how to pay some bills, and the next minute I could be laughing all the way to the bank. That is pretty much the life of a freelancer/self-employed person. Our income fluctuates and there is so much financial uncertainty but I won’t trade it for a job in an office with a regular pay check. The pros of being a self-employed person massively outweighs the cons for me, which is why I do what I do.

 

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want image

 

 

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want

Having said that, the key to surviving the self employment world is to have a budget. I love reading finance self-help book on my Amazon Kindle. The book I am currently reading is You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want by Jesse Mecham. It is the first book I am reading this year and I am loving the budgeting tips and advice. I have picked a lot from this book and I recommend it to anyone struggling to make the most of their money. You need to read this book. It is full of wisdom and valuable tips. 

Everyone needs a budget regardless of what you do for money. Business owners and freelancers need a budget more than everyone else because of the income fluctuations. Having a budget helps you plan your money and make your money work for you. If you budget right, you can survive on periods where work is quiet because you would have saved money from the busy months. 

 

Self Employment on a Budget

I am going to be handling my money a little differently this 2019. Generally, I am good with money but there is always room for improvements, and I plan to be better this 2019. Here are some things I would be doing more of –

 

Ageing my money

Jesse Mecham advises us to age our money. What this means is for us not to spend all of our money as soon as it comes in. This makes a whole lot of sense. Ageing your money allows you think smartly and set your priorities straight. It takes off the stress of having no money in your bank account and it allows you plan your life.  Ageing your money allows your money wait on you instead of you waiting on your money. It sounds pointless but it works. Trust me, I have tried it. The longer you can age your money, the better. I aim to age my money for at least 30 days. It is a work in progress but I am slowly getting there.

 

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Spend less than what you earn

This should be common sense but it is amazing how we spend way more than what we earn. Which leads to us having to use our overdraft facility, store cards and credit cards to make up for the difference. Spending less than what we earn is the way to financial freedom.

 

Grow the savings

Having money saved away is the way to survive self employment. With the income uncertainty, you never know for sure when you would be short, so it makes sense to always have money stashed away for when the need arises. Growing the savings is one of my many goals this 2019.

 

Make more money

2019 is the year of making more money. That is another goal I plan to seriously work on this year. The way to financial freedom is to have many streams of income. I am planning on working hard on making money via affiliates and I am using an affiliate link in this post for the first time in a long time. Having many streams of income means you have various ways of making money. No one should ever rely on 1 pay check.

 

Do you have a budget?

 

*Affiliate link used.

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