Tag Archives: self-employment

3 Tips for Self Employment

February 25, 2022 By in Freelancing/Self-employed Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

With the changes happening all over the world, more and more people are going into self-employment or thinking of going into it. I have been self-employed for many years now, and although it has been a bumpy rollercoaster, I would get on the ride again if I had to start all over again. Being self-employed has given me so many opportunities regular employment would not have given me and for that, I am forever grateful.

If you are thinking of going self-employed, here are 3 tips that would help you start in the right way.

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3 Tips for Self Employment
  • Pretend you are in an office

Working from home can be fun but it can also be very distracting. The best way to get around it while working from home is to act like you are in an actual office. That means getting out of bed and your PJs and starting the day all dressed up. That puts you in the right state of mind and allows you to stay productive.

  • Treat yourself well

This is another great tip for those who are new to self-employment because it is so easy to let yourself go and put your all into your job because you need it to bring in the money. I did this for many years and I had to learn the hard way. Nowadays, I am so gentle with myself. I work hard but I care for myself even harder, and this allows me to work successfully as a self-employed. I take days off work now; something I did in the early days. It is important to treat yourself as you would like a nice boss to treat you.

  • Say No to what does not serve you

This is one area I never really struggled in. I have and always will say NO to offers that don’t serve me. It is important to ensure you only take on the kind of work you want and remain selective. Depending on the sort of business you run, it is likely you get all sorts of offers. Being able to say NO as often as you need is crucial. You don’t want certain folks to run you out of business.

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Being a self-employed mother is a blessing. I won’t change any part of my journey and I am looking forward to the many years of self-employment ahead of me. Even if I go back to traditional work, I will still retain my self-employment as it serves as a creative outlet for me.

Are you self-employed? How are you finding the experience?

 

 

3 Finance Tips for the Self-Employed

April 19, 2018 By in Freelancing/Self-employed Tags: , , , , , , , , 58 Comments

Being self-employed is amazing. It is one of the best things I have ever done. I really can’t imagine working for anyone ever again. It feels liberating to be able to dictate the pace in which I work. And being able to work from home whilst care for my growing kids is a blessing. I am super thankful everyday for this amazing life I have been blessed with.

 

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Having said that, managing the finances can be a little tricky when you are self-employed. Especially when you are dealing with clients that never pay your invoices on time. I have had to put on my accountant hat to keep my business thriving. For those who do not know, I have a degree in Accounting (graduated university in 2006) but only practised for 1 year. The story surrounding that is a whole new blog post for another day.

Here are some finance tips I have picked up in my self-employment journey.

 

Be Careful with Credit

As a self-employed person, you need to be very careful with credit, especially credit cards. You may find it super easy to shop on your credit cards, especially when you are dealing with late payments and need to survive. If you must get some kind of credit to survive, make sure you understand the payment terms and don’t get carried away with spending money that isn’t yours.

If you have to deal with unforeseen circumstances and need quick money, a company like Cash Lady could come in handy. This company helps customers to find short-term finance solutions. So they are good for when your boiler or car break down, or when you need money quickly for urgent home improvements.

 

Keep Records

I am always on top of my records. Leaving it all until the end of the tax year will stress the life out of me. So I make a note of money coming in and going out.

Sending invoices is a great way to keep track of your money. I always send out an invoice for every project I work on. Even if the client does not request one. I need it for my books, so I get invoices sent out for my records.

 

Claim the Expenses

When filing my tax return, I make sure I claim every expense. This advice also links back to the keeping records tip. I always keep track of every expense, all year round. This makes it easier for me to claim the right amount of expenses. If you are not sure what you could claim as an expense, here is a detailed list of all expenses the self-employed are allowed to claim.

 

I hope you find these finance tips useful. If you have any finance tips for the self-employed, please share in the comments section below.

 

*Collaborative post.

6 Reasons Why Self Employment is Good for Mothers

July 30, 2017 By in Freelancing/Self-employed Tags: , , , , , , , 26 Comments

As a mother, we are faced with so many responsibilities. Managing the home, our family and still making time for self-care can be really difficult if you’re employed at a 9-to-5. I can imagine it being more of a struggle to work a 9-5 and run my family, than to be self-employed, running my own business from the comfort of my home, along with my family. There are so many reasons why self employment is good for mothers.

 

 

If you’re still wondering if it’s a good idea to transition into being self-employed, then here are 6 reasons that will convince you to get started.

 

Flexible hours

One of the first things you begin to experience when you’re self-employed is that you can work at any time of the day. You’re not restricted to work at 9am and close at 5pm. You can set the time that is most convenient for you. You can also reschedule, especially when you have to be at your child’s school or you’re feeling under the weather.

 

Self Employment & Flexible Location

You know those days at work, where it feels as if the cubicle is choking you to death? Well, if you’re self-employed you can work anywhere you want to. You can work from the comfort of your home or work on the beach. The location is up to you. When you feel like you need a change of environment, it’s just as easy as taking your laptop and going to the place of your choice.

 

You are in control of the income you want to make

Being self-employed gives you the opportunity to determine how much you want to earn. In a 9-to-5 you are restricted to a fixed salary and before you can get a raise, you should have worked long and hard to be eligible for a raise. When you own your own business, you are the one who determines how much you want to earn.  There’s literally no limit to what you can earn so long as you put in the work.

 

Less stress

The beauty of self employment is the amount of stress that you get to cut out of your life. You don’t have to deal with the pressure from co-workers or an angry boss. Worrying about commuting would be a thing of the past, if you work from home. You don’t have to worry about that late evening meeting and how to still make it to your child’s recital. Let’s face it: working at a 9-to-5 can be overwhelming at times. When you’re self-employed you’re in more control of your life and your work.

 

 

 

Gives you the sense of independence

When you work in a 9-to-5 you’re limited on all sides. Everything you do is focused on pleasing the company you work for. Whether you like it or not, there will be days when you’ll be asked to do things that you would ordinarily not like to do. Just because you don’t want to lose your job, you’ll find yourself succumbing to the whims of your boss.

But in your own business, you are your own boss and you have no one to please but yourself. You do what you like and the decisions you take in your business will not challenge your authentic self.

 

Quality Time

The most important people in your life are your dear ones. Being able to just be a part of their lives and get the opportunity to impact their lives daily is precious. But when you are neck-deep in work from the office (which can get extremely demanding) you miss out on what’s important. Being self-employed gives you the freedom to be with your family and be a part of their lives. Everyday spent with the one’s you love makes your life richer and more worthwhile.

 

Self employment is the coolest way to go, but it regardless of the freedom and beauty of being self employed, it is not the best option for everyone, and may not be the best option for you. This way of life comes with its own issues. It takes a lot of determination, passion and disclipline to make it work.

 

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