| If you are just going into freelancing then perhaps | | | | hard to determine exactly how much money |
| one of your biggest questions (unless you are | | | | they are going to be receiving on a monthly basis |
| already a financial management expert) is how | | | | try to budget each amount that comes in so that |
| you should handle the financial aspects of your | | | | you know where your money is going. |
| freelance business. | | | | Another thing you will probably want to do is to |
| Perhaps one of the first things you should | | | | set yourself financial goals. How much do you |
| consider is getting someone to help you with the | | | | want to make this month? Next month? Six |
| bookkeeping and accounting aspects of your | | | | months time? In a year? Write down these goals |
| business. You may want to get someone you | | | | and then see how you can go about improving |
| know to help you with this or if you do not know | | | | your income to meet these financial goals. Also |
| anyone who has the necessary expertise then | | | | work out how much you want to save and how |
| you can use the same freelance jobs boards you | | | | much you are going to be spending. |
| use to get a freelance bookkeeper or accountant. | | | | If you have not already registered as an |
| Start by collecting all your invoices for any | | | | independent agent for tax purposes you will also |
| purchases you make. As you go into freelancing | | | | want to do this as soon as possible. You should |
| you will discover that there are many items that | | | | speak to your accountant about this and ask him |
| you would not have normally worried about in the | | | | what is required and how you should go about |
| past but that you can now claim from tax as | | | | doing this if you do not already know. It is |
| business-related expenses so keep all invoices you | | | | important that this is done within the first three |
| receive. | | | | months of starting your freelancing business. |
| You should also keep a book where you write | | | | In conclusion then, to manage your finances |
| down everything you buy, all money expended | | | | effectively as a freelancer you should begin by |
| and all money received. Speak to your | | | | finding yourself a reliable bookkeeper or |
| bookkeeper about what books you should be | | | | accountant, collect all your invoices and write |
| keeping and how you should go about filling them | | | | down all money that comes into or goes out of |
| in but before you speak to them start now by | | | | your hands. Register for tax as early as possible |
| just writing down every cent that leaves or | | | | (within the first three months) and set yourself |
| comes into your hands. | | | | financial goals that you would like to reach to help |
| The next aspect is to budget your expenses as | | | | you manage your money more effectively. |
| far as possible. Although freelancers often find it | | | | |