Comments on: Your Freelance Earnings Goal (and why $100K may not be it)

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 21:49:57 +0000

Your story is worth repeating, Cathy. 🙂

Your ongoing goal is a good one. It’s not nearly as stressful (if at all) as your career, and it’s an easy one to manage.

In 2009, I had my absolute best year ever. I came rather close to that $100K. It’s also the year I don’t remember summer happening, fall happening, or anything before I flat-out refused to work past December 21st. I was exhausted and stressed.

This past year, I made a good bit more than I usually do — close to that 2009 total — and I didn’t feel stressed or exhausted. I even had time for three vacations. Not bad. 🙂

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:15:05 +0000

I know you have heard my story many times, Lori. 🙂 I had the 6-figure income for years in my corporate career. I am convinced I would have died early from stress if I had not left that life behind. There is nothing wrong with a 6-figure goal IF that’s what you want (and not what someone else says you need to validate yourself).

When I first started, I had a simple goal. Make more than the year before. 🙂 My good health and being here for my mom bring far greater rewards – for me – than any 6-figure did or ever could.

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:11:22 +0000

In reply to Dava Stewart.

Dava, that does sound like heaven! I had a similar year (2016 must have been good to us) — easy work, bigger paychecks. The rollercoaster continues. 😉

It’s about balance. I’m so happy doing what I do, and I love my clients and the time I can give them. Sure, I could take on five more clients and make oodles of money, but at some point the quality of what I deliver might suffer. And there’s no doubt my sanity would.

I choose sanity. 🙂

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:08:34 +0000

In reply to Paula Hendrickson.

Paula, that’s called prioritizing. And it sounds like you’re doing it right — if you’re happy, you’re doing it right. 🙂

By: Dava Stewart

Dava Stewart — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 17:37:59 +0000

Last year was my best-ever year income-wise, and I was not even close to $100K. For the majority of the year, I worked part-time hours. I took off every Monday afternoon to sell produce at a farmer’s market with my family. I took off early every Thursday to go kayaking. It was heaven.

I’d love to have the same this year, but you know what? Freelancing is a roller coaster, and this year, I’m working roughly twice as many hours for about half what I was making on a per month basis at this time last year. It’s not looking like I will have an even better year this year, in spite of working harder.

But I don’t care. I love the work I do, and I can still take off early if I want or need to. My bills are still getting paid, even if I’m spending a little more time each month outlining my budget. Six figures doesn’t even begin to factor into my definition of a fulfilling, successful career.

This is a lovely, insightful post. Thank you for writing it!

By: Paula Hendrickson

Paula Hendrickson — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 15:41:28 +0000

I’ve never understood people’s obsessions with arbitrary numbers – or even with other people’s income. I don’t care how much or little other people make as long as they’re happy. I know people who stress themselves to unhealthy levels just because they want the six-figure income and all of the trappings that come with it. I also know people who earn less than I do who are happy because they have more flexibility and truly enjoy the work they do.

Would I like to be able to afford to restore my house to it’s bungalow glory? Sure. But the other day I realized that would cost more than the asking price of similar sized houses near me. Right now I’m glad I can afford to hire a plumber if I need one to fix the new leak in the bathroom.