Great idea on the billing, too. Never thought to do that on every project. Have you ever had a client refuse?

I've found that one of the best ways to avoid that "waiting for cash" thing around the holidays is to stop waiting around on cash, period. Unless a writer wants to solely work for magazines, it's not necessary.

I bill up front for nearly all projects, and other writers are usually surprised to hear that clients don't freak out about those terms in most cases. So if I spent a little too much when off on Black Friday, I just say "yes" to an extra gig or two afterward and quickly make up the difference.

That's one of the biggest benefits of the query-free style of freelancing. You can adapt almost immediately to budget changes.

Glad you're here! Actually, I do have a guide. Up there in the left-hand side of my blog there's a link to my latest guide for writers.

You're as good as you perceive yourself to be, Jade. Thank you for the compliment, but I think you're probably just as good (if not better), and you only need to set yourself on the right path.

Stick around. The folks who hang out here give great advice.

Wow, HuffPo is entirely over-the-top nuts with the latest request. I agree with the poster – pay for someone to design your logo! Don't expect yet more freebies.

Lori, you don't start too early. My mother starts the day after Christmas. If only she could remember where she put the gifts a year later… LOL It could be like a treasure hunt, depending on her memory.

Mostly I just start Christmas shopping way early and try to finish by Thanksgiving. It hurts a lot less to spend $25 and $40 on Amazon every week or two than it does to pay for everything all at once. And no freaking out at the last minute because you can't think of a gift for Uncle Bobby. 🙂 I actually meant to place an order last night, but forgot and shut down my laptop. Oh well. Maybe tonight.

However, I do have lulls other times of the year, and I have no idea why they come and go. For instance, I've had major lulls in August, but again, not this year. I just can't plan!

Anyway, thought you'd all like this link: http://gawker.com/5831101/designers-are-furious-at-the-freeloading-huffington-post.

Why I ever read HuffPo — and contributed to Arianna's wealth while she robbed others blind — now eludes me. But never again. When I see a HuffPo link, I go elsewhere for the same copy.

If I had a magic pill that made budgeting simple, I'd be a millionaire. 🙂 What works for me is to see two months out (and anticipate the usual slow periods of July and December) and make sure I'm marketing enough to keep money coming in. Just remember to market every day, even if it's just Twitter or LinkedIn connections. Stay in front of people. The work may not come in that day or that month, but it will come eventually.

Anne, good to hear you're not neglecting the stuff you love. 🙂

Paula, I would expect no less from Santa. 🙂

Jake, I'll let you in on a secret – I've never managed to remember to market the holidays. I suck at it. And it's not that interesting to me personally, so it's probably a good thing I forget. 🙂

unikorna, I'm glad you followed me! I went to your site earlier and I just love it. Waves of good fortune are all yours, dear unikorna. 🙂 Thank you for the compliment.