Moving from the security of a full-time job to the world of freelancing might seem a slightly daunting and unpredictable step to make. For many aspiring freelancers with a passion and talent for providing a service that benefits their clients, making that switch is one of the most enriching and fulfilling steps you can take. For some, however, reassurance and peace of mind are key, especially in times when competition is high and fierce, and where budgets are invariably tight. Freelancers want to feel assured that they can have a steady stream of high-quality client work keeping them busy. Ye ..read more

This post is provided by our partner, MetroPlusHealth. Find affordable health plans for New Yorkers of all ages from MetroPlusHealth. Riding a bicycle can be an excellent fitness activity. Cycling is also a good way to cross-train, because it puts much less stress on your joints, knees, and hips than running or walking. Getting a good workout on a bike isn't always easy, though, because you have more time to recover — or to just coast. With this in mind, here's how to get the most out of your ride, whether you're cycling on vacation, around your neighborhood, or to and from work. Si ..read more

What is your work worth? In traditional wage-labor relationships (aka “normal jobs”), your work is worth whatever your boss says it is worth. In most instances, you’re compensated for your time, which means efficiency and growth are disincentivized. If you’re hourly, you make more if you work slower. If you’re salaried, the more efficient you are, the more work is assigned. In a supposedly “capitalist” economy, we have no control over worth or the relationship between time and money when working for others. What is the promise of capitalism? (Stay with me here…I promise we’ll get to the prici ..read more

This past February, California State Senator Scott Wiener introduced Senate Bill 988 (SB 988) or as we like to call it, the Freelance isn’t Free Act. As in other parts of the country, where we have been successful in implementing similar laws, it aims to ensure fundamental protections for freelance workers, enforced by the State Labor Commissioner and the Attorney General. These protections include the right to a contract, prompt payment within 30 days of completing work, and the right to double damages for non-payment. We took a huge step in February of 2023 when we passed similar legislatio ..read more

Updated for tax year 2023. This article is posted with permission from our partner TaxAct. File your freelance taxes with confidence using TaxAct’s easy-to-use tax software. Freelancers Union members get 25% off the cost of federal and state tax filing: https://bit.ly/freelancers_taxact_blog The April 15 tax deadline is quickly approaching. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet and are starting to feel the pressure, you’re not alone. According to a recent IPX 1031 survey, one-third of Americans say they wait until the last minute to file their taxes. But if tax season snuck up on you ..read more

This article is posted with permission from our partner MacPaw. MacPaw makes Mac + iOS apps that have been installed on over 30 million devices worldwide. Freelancers Union members receive 30 days of free unlimited access to CleanMyMacX and Setapp: https://freelancersunion.org/resources/perks/macpaw/ How often do clients find you on freelance platforms and ask you to continue talking on WhatsApp? Once you’ve been officially hired by using an Upwork or Fiverr contract, it’s generally fine to conduct business on any other messenger.  However, with many advantages and flexibility of Wh ..read more

Picture this: a freelancer, brimming with skills and enthusiasm, steps into the professional world only to encounter a pervasive request—"Can you do this for free?" It's a scenario as old as freelancing itself, yet remains as fresh and frustrating for every new generation of freelancers. This practice, often sugar-coated as an opportunity for exposure or experience, undermines the value of a freelancer's work and expertise. We've all faced this challenge, and it's getting more common. A company contacts us saying they like our work only to then tell us they need us to write a new, unpublished ..read more

This month, I’m celebrating the start of my 9th year in business as a solopreneur. And, as anniversaries tend to do, that’s caused me to look back and take a moment to reflect on all my accomplishments, missteps, and lessons learned along the way.  If I was starting out in the freelance world today, this is the advice I would give myself: 1. Always have cash on hand: It takes time to develop relationships and find clients that value the level of experience you can bring to the table, rather than solely looking at the bottom line. There will be lulls between clients, contracts that end ea ..read more

This post is provided by our partner, MetroPlusHealth. Find affordable health plans for New Yorkers of all ages from MetroPlusHealth. Keep the following guidelines in mind when looking for allergy relief.  Antihistamines Some over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicines will make you drowsy. They may contain antihistamines, decongestants, or both. Don't take them when you will be driving or working with machinery. Newer antihistamines are available over the counter. These include loratadine, cetirizine, levocetirizine, and fexofenadine. These are less likely to make you sleepy. But they ..read more

With the April 15 tax deadline just a few weeks away you should be aware of some adjustments to the standard deduction thresholds. Keep in mind that the standard deduction is in addition to any eligible freelance tax deductions that you may be able to claim. The 2023 changes to the standard deduction under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are as follows: For married couples filing jointly for tax year 2023, the standard deduction rises to $27,700 up $1,800 from the prior year.  For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rises to $13,850 for ..read more