It has been nearly a year since my post for Freelance Switch, 7 Ways to be a Frugal Freelancer, and unfortunately, the economy has only worsened since last summer. Many freelancers (including your truly) are still bringing in new projects, but it never hurts to find ways to save, especially if you just wrote a hefty check to Uncle Sam.
Here are some additional suggestions for frugal-minded freelancers:
- Skype. I’m not suggesting that you give up your cell phone (perish the thought!), but I’ve been able to significantly reduce my cell phone minutes by using the internet-based phone service when I’m at my computer. I pay $2.99/month for unlimited calls to the US and Canada, so I use it for lengthy customer service calls and phone interviews. Bonus: the headset means that I don’t have to awkwardly cradle my phone under my ear as I’m typing!
- Freecycle. So far I haven’t found any office materials on Freecycle, but I have used it to give away electronics I no longer need (that would have fetched a pitiful price on Craig’s List) and pick up gadgets for my kitchen. Other freelancers may find it useful for office furniture, supples, and other miscellaneous needs.
- Free Shipping. The last installment of Frugal Freelancers mentioned finding discount codes online, but this site is a one stop shop for free shipping codes to hundreds of major retailers. They also list other discounts avaialable, too.
- Ecofont. Writers really should print out their projects so they can proof things on paper, but that can also eat up a ton of ink. This font is free to download and conserves an estimated 20% of ink, so you won’t have to replace your cartridges as often. Also try printing on both sides of the paper to save money and trees.
- Share subscriptions. If you write for magazines, then you probably have a million subscriptions and a huge stack of publications you’ve already read. Maybe you can share the subscription cost with a friend so that you’ll be able to read your magazines without shelling out extra cash. Alternatively, many publications offer a special gift rate, so you can sign up a friend for the price of one subscription and split the price.
What tools do you use to save money? Anything I’ve missed?
Very good advice, I didn’t know about the eco-font so thanks for sharing!
Susan:
Good information here. Makes sense to conserve. And, we’re being as green as possible.
Great tips! Wow! Especially the eco font. That’s really cool.
This isn’t so much freelance and just general, but I recently went through my credit card bill and got rid of all the auto charges like my gym membership and the efax account that I never use. Saved a bit.
Good tips, Susan. I have been trying to use file folders (and the printouts in them) less and less, and put all information in files in my computer instead. I thought I would not be able to survive without those pieces of paper, but guess what–I’m still here. And when I do have file folers, they are old ones with new stickers at the top.
Skype Call Recorder records Skype conversation for free straigh to harddrive
http://voipcallrecording.com/Skype_Call_Recorder
great advice. share subscriptions i liked the best. found you on #journchat.
One thing I have been doing for quite a while which saves on paper, ink, and storage is to never print receipts. I have folders on my hard drive for orders or receipts for payments and I print all as PDF and save them that way. Besides conservation, it’s so much easier to find a receipt right from the computer!! This goes for copies of my tax returns too. If I need to print one out, I always can since it’s PDF anyway.
Thanks everyone for weighing in! I have to admit that I often put my frugality before my desire to be green, but most of these types are both. Score!
@Claudine: I’m with you. If I printed every single receipt, I’d be drowning in paper. Instead I have a special tag I use in Gmail for “business expense 2009″ and so on, so they all get sorted into one folder.
This is a terrific list, thanks so much for sharing!
Great list!
I would add that my local library has been a tremendous resources that I probably underestimated before I started freelancing full-time.
From magazines to books to research assistance, libraries are tops!
Good advice here. Need to check out Ecofont. For cheaper ink, one can get cartridges refilled at Walgreens, and unless you use a super-high-end printer, they work just fine.
For phone, in addition to Skype, we also use http://jajah.com/. It’s VOIP, but you can use your own home phone or cell phone, which means you are not stuck at the computer — pretty nice.