Poll: Do you think freelancers tend to be more frugal than non-freelancers? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you think freelancers tend to be more frugal than non-freelancers?".
View the poll results »
| | | | | I have no idea! | Sep 30, 2018 |
I’m much more frugal today than I was on my 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, but it has much more to do with age than with being a freelancer…
[Edited at 2018-09-30 10:22 GMT]
| | | | Angus Stewart 
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:38
Member (2011)
French to English
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| More financially conservative | Sep 30, 2018 |
In my own case, I would say that being a freelancer who has an uncertain source of income has made me more financially conservative rather than more frugal per se. It has influenced a number of key decisions which I have made in my life, including giving me a greater drive to both get on the property ladder and be mortgage free so that I don't have sleepless nights worrying that I might end up sleeping rough if my income stream suddenly dried up. A lot of my non-freelancer friends are now jealou... See more In my own case, I would say that being a freelancer who has an uncertain source of income has made me more financially conservative rather than more frugal per se. It has influenced a number of key decisions which I have made in my life, including giving me a greater drive to both get on the property ladder and be mortgage free so that I don't have sleepless nights worrying that I might end up sleeping rough if my income stream suddenly dried up. A lot of my non-freelancer friends are now jealous of the position I have achieved in my 30's since due to not having to pay rent or a mortgage it means that l now have more cash available to spend on other things enjoying myself, so in that sense being a freelancer has, if anything, made me less frugal!
Another area of my life where it has an impact, it my choice of the financial institution I use to do my banking, since I have opted for a little known Swedish bank due to the fact that when I did my research on the topic they were the most risk adverse bank in the UK and as such the one least likely to get embroiled in crisis having the potential to cut me off from access to my own cash.
Happy International Translation Day everyone! ▲ Collapse
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Can anybody help me to switch off the incoming sound of the mobile for any questions in the polls? I shall be eternally grateful for those willing to help in this irritating matter.
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| Yes, in a way | Sep 30, 2018 |
I think they are less likely to overextend themselves financially. At least that's what I've observed. When the money comes in, they may buy something they've been considering, but in between they are likely to be cautious about not building up debt.
Years ago I was admiring how a husband-and-wife team of designers managed to have a lovely home full of beautiful pieces and they explained that they followed this model.
That's certainly what I do now. When I first start... See more I think they are less likely to overextend themselves financially. At least that's what I've observed. When the money comes in, they may buy something they've been considering, but in between they are likely to be cautious about not building up debt.
Years ago I was admiring how a husband-and-wife team of designers managed to have a lovely home full of beautiful pieces and they explained that they followed this model.
That's certainly what I do now. When I first started to freelance I still used my credit cards, but over time I paid off all my debt and transitioned to a more frugal lifestyle. I only use debit cards now. If the money's not already in the bank, I don't spend it. I give myself "points" if I see something I like and don't buy it even when I can. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Thanks, Angus! | Sep 30, 2018 |
Angus Stewart wrote:
Happy International Translation Day everyone!
| | | | Kay Denney
France
Local time: 22:38
French to English
I don't know about other translators. I'm very much a "look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves" person. I often joke that my partner is lucky in that I don't have expensive taste in anything, so I'm a good bargain. My most expensive hobbies are reading and dressmaking, and the dressmaking means I can make myself a smart jacket out of all-natural fabrics for less than €80 in terms of supplies. The time doesn't count because it's a hobby. I never buy anything I don't n... See more I don't know about other translators. I'm very much a "look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves" person. I often joke that my partner is lucky in that I don't have expensive taste in anything, so I'm a good bargain. My most expensive hobbies are reading and dressmaking, and the dressmaking means I can make myself a smart jacket out of all-natural fabrics for less than €80 in terms of supplies. The time doesn't count because it's a hobby. I never buy anything I don't need basically.
It could perhaps be a translator thing, we spend our time working on details, adding a comma here, swapping word order there, so counting pennies comes naturally. I'm always rather surprised at the end of the month to see how all the little jobs add up to a decent income. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Debora d'Amato (X)
Italy
Local time: 22:38
English to Italian
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I think they're just more flexible in whatever circumstance.
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Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 17:38
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
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| Can't be stable | Oct 1, 2018 |
Our income varies a lot, so do our expenditures.
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