I've been struggling a lot lately with my freelance work, both with the lack of free time I have because I can only work when the kids are asleep, and with the low pay.
My first thought was to give up one of my weekly gigs, but realistically I probably won't. I really like it when the check comes, and now that we have a mortgage, we kind of need it to get where I think we need to be financially.
But, I am going to try to put my head to it and instead figure out how I can be more efficient in getting things done, and maybe free up more me-time as a result.
Anyway, on top of this. One of my friends owns a small marketing/ pr company and she called yesterday wanting to know if I'd help her write press releases for $22 an hour. At first I was dead set against it, but as usual, I let her talk me into it. I have one due on Wednesday. It's probably not going to be strenuous work, but it is more work at a time when I feel like I'm already not doing what I really want to-- which is finish my novel! Plus, it will probably only take an hour to 1.5 to write, so it isn't much money.
Not sure what to do about it. Not sure if having to squeeze one more thing into my schedule is worth the $25 or $30 I'd get out of it. It won't be a steady thing, just helping out another working mom for a little bit of extra cash. But still. That novel is gathering dust, and I really would like to go to bed early SOMEDAY! But alas, I have a hard time saying no, because in the freelance world you just never know if project will come back to you if you do.
It's the freelancer's curse. Usually, it's a once-shot opportunity, and if you don't say yes, it's gone.
I don't know. What do you think? Any ideas on how I can better manage work when I have to do most of it when the kids are in bed? I'm maxed out on childcare.
I'll post more thoughts on making better use of my time later.
Conflicted...
December 4th, 2011 at 09:10 pm
December 5th, 2011 at 04:11 am 1323058317
Me, I'm looking for anyway to make some extra cash so I probably would squeeze in the extra job. However, as my BF always says "All money ain't good money". If you really want to get back to your novel, I say do it. Good luck
December 5th, 2011 at 04:17 am 1323058626
You're talking to a woman with far too many freelance gigs herself. One disappeared this year, my rich folks book club, and while I miss the extra occasional $150, I really don't miss the anxiety of it all. But for me, prioritizing the best ones is really important. You're not flat broke, and you don't need to take rotten jobs. I don't do anything that pays under $50/hr. Nothing. If I were you, I'd consider setting a limit, and just turning down things that aren't worth it. It's hard. But I push myself into overload too easily.
December 5th, 2011 at 02:34 pm 1323095649
Any tips on how to branch out into more lucrative areas?
December 6th, 2011 at 04:32 am 1323145967
I see all my journalism students--and retired journalists struggle like you. It's hard work, isn't it?
December 6th, 2011 at 05:23 pm 1323192229