It’s been 6 months since my professional life went down in flames. I was a well paid (at least for the number of hours I’ve worked) radio DJ, with a small freelancing “job” just for fun. I would earn a decent living, was spending more money on all kinds of useless junk and even bought a leased car I’d pay entirely in 4 years. Three years before that my bank rate would go over my salary, but things changed and I was having a good financial status. Not that good to pay 13000 Euro for my car, but enough to get 3000 saved in under 6 months, pay 300 every month and still eat well.

There’s nothing waking you up better than having no more money. The job was gone and I was in a difficult situation: do I chose to work for less than my bank rate? Do I freelance? Am I finally gonna be my own boss? Hell, yeah.

My plan was easy: I’d get my own hours, be able to really enjoy life and earn a buck while doing this. With this well thought plan I hit the freelancing sites and promoted my business to all people I know. How am I doing now?

After 4-5 months I was just able to pay my rates and the normal taxes for a firm, food etc. I didn’t let any debt unpaid and this for me was a HUGE achievement. I do need to pay for some stuff each month (rate, firm taxes, accountant salary, food, gas/electricity etc.) and was scared I’d be putting my family in serious jeopardy with me not being able to cover my “share”. There was no room for ANY savings and this was a huge risk. When you venture into full-time freelancing and have a huge ZERO in your savings account, things cannot be pretty.

I have worked for 10-14 hours a day. EVERY DAY. Yes, I don’t have to leave home to drive to work. I don’t spend time away from my family since I am at home all day long.Yes, I have cut A LOT of expenses (gas, “fancy” clothing, take-away food etc.), so in this matter the new “job” is just perfect. Not to mention I am hugely in love with my work so, spending 10 hours a day on my PC is not an effort for me.

I am with my folks, but still, I am away. I have deadlines, small rates (still), even if I am increasing them periodically, there’s always need to solve something, repair a site, finish a design etc. There are days I go to sleep absolutely exhausted, days with headaches, days when I have difficulties falling asleep, even if I have no problems with this on a normal basis.

Do we count the stress of not earning enough to “make it”? Do we count the fear I might not cover my debts?

So this is freelancing for me, at least the very beginning. The positive aspect is that I do earn WAY MORE than I did before, when I was working “for others”. I have all my taxes paid for and this month I was able to put 250 Euro in my savings account. It’s little money, I know, but it gave me a HUGE boost and pleasure knowing I am getting somewhere.

I still work like a madman, since I am not yet out of the woods. I have increased my rates a bit, even if I am still far from what I should ask for, but money piles on and I can withdraw hundreds of dollars every week. Freelancing doesn’t allow you to sleep late or spend a lot of time watching TV. At least not in the beginning and if you have to earn more than a “normal” wage to support yourself and the family.

My first 6 months of freelancing have been amazing. I was able to specialize myself even more (creating 10 wordpress sites a month does tend to grow your experience), learn new things every day and earn money from working at home. The efforts have been serious too. I can’t recall any time in all my 10 years of radio job I have worked as I’ve worked the past 6 months. Was never a slacker, but the efforts I make now are immense compared to what I did before.

As we speak I am still working 10-12 hours a day. Yes, weekends included. The payment is good, I can save some money, we are preparing for a wonderful journey in NY in the next weeks. In time I’ll be able to take a day off and not “feel” the consequences. I can afford now to have a day I don’t quite work, I just write something in my blogs and talk to my clients. These days are very few in a month, but it’s still a starting point.

Don’t go into freelancing if you’re not willing to sacrifice some months of your time. You cannot make it unless you work to get established and have some money saved. Then, when you’re on your way, you can have some time for yourself. With serious planing and careful time management you’ll earn money, make a living and be able to also live, not just work like a robot.

I am sure I will have more time for myself one day. It’s not yet the case, but I’ll make it.