One year ago, during the week between Christmas and New Year I was swamped with side work. It was then that my wife first put forth the idea of going 100% Freelance.
We spent the next few days going over the idea over and over, looking for flaws. Since I’m talking about Freelancing a year later, you can imagine we didn’t find any. 🙂
All things considered it’s gone very well. Often the first year is the hardest for a freelancer, and mine was pretty good. People always want to know “how much do you make?” and I’ve found that like other Freelancers, it’s hard to say. I made a little more doing this than I did at my old job, but I’m paying more to the government, more to subcontractors, etc, so at the end of the day it was a little leaner than last year. But next year might rock. Or it might not.
I’m still really glad to be doing this.
I’ve worked up here for myself, and not only am I a horrible businessman, but the amount of work is pretty low. (Population density, lack of businesses, etc.)
Also, insurance. Oh insurance, you seductive temptress.
I do almost daily talk about going freelance, and for me a large part of it would be writing. That both excites and terrifies me. You’ve been an inspiration though, so thank you for these occasional updates. 🙂
i am very glad you did, too, my friend!
Glad you took the plunge… though the gov’t *does* love to call you the boss *and* the employee so that they can take you for double yer $. 😉 It’s been fun sharing resources and subcontracts — here’s to a fantastic 2011!