Now that election season has officially drawn to a close here in the U.S, it’s time for us to also bring an end to our ongoing debate with Men with Pens. We have a few more things to say on the subject, and since we called them out, it seems only appropriate to offer them the opportunity to get in the last word if they so desire. So, this will be our last post in this series on “how much does it cost to start a freelance business.”
First of all, I have to point out that—as is so often the case with debates—I think we all ended up practically “arguing” the same point, just in different words. I agree with the way James phrased it:
“We’ve determined (all four of us) that it’s possible (but not preferable) to start a freelancing business on less than $500.”
Yep. We agree on that. You can totally do it with less than $500, but you’d better have a backup plan.
So, here’s where I get a little rant-y. I hope you’ll bear with me, as I think I actually have two mini-rants brewing at the moment.
Point #1:
Tamara and I absolutely know that we are privileged. The mere fact that we live in North America means that we are privileged. Also, the reason that I mentioned our working spouses was to be clear to everyone that we knew we were in a fortunate situation. Of course, that’s not to say that we are (as Tamara so eloquently put it) “a couple of rich bitches who decided to take up freelancing because we got bored of sitting around and having our nails done.”
We started freelancing because we needed money and wanted to earn it on our own terms. When we decided to start our business, Tamara’s husband had taken on a second job, and I was trying to figure out which maternity outfit was going to work best for my upcoming job interviews. She even took a part-time job at the beginning to help her family meet expenses. So, while we are absolutely a couple of fortunate people, we want to be clear that this wasn’t just a lark or a hobby.
This leads nicely into my second rant…
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Christina Lemmey is the mother of two school-aged girls, a wife, and the owner of 
I like it when you get ranty.
That bit about people thinking they can instantly earn money online is so true. I think that a lot of internet marketing gurus really push this point, though and deceive people who are looking for information. That`s why it`s important to have blogs like yours that tell it as it is.
Great rant! I feel fortunate as well. I was able to start freelancing (on less than $100) to support our family while my husband started working on his advanced degree. Now, four years later, we make too much for him to qualify for government student loans and we are almost out of debt.
I do sometimes feel guilty-in-a-fortunate way that I have a working spouse who supplies, well, 80% of our needs- insurance being the biggy. However, the money I bring in definitely pays some bills that would not otherwise get paid!!
Allenas last blog post..Movin On UP!
Woot! Rock on, Lorna! Now that’s the kind of fire I like to read, and I found myself nodding the whole way through.
I’ll be the first to say that I don’t think either of you were the type of women (no, I didn’t learn my lesson but here, it fits) who sat back on your laurels. I know full well you weren’t rich bitches when you started out.
And I know what you both have in you. Drive, determination, guts, talent, strength and a backbone of steel.
You go. I’m right there with you.
James Chartrand – Men with Penss last blog post..When One Thing Is All You’re Missing
@Genesis – I’m very skeptical of all the blogs on how to make money blogging. I’m pretty sure they’re not all zillionaires, you know? I think they want to be “gurus” so they just pretend they are.
@Miranda – I guess not qualifying for aid is a little better than needing it, right? Congrats on almost being out of debt. That is such a big, important milestone!
@Allena – I feel less guilty about it now that we’re bringing in more than I would have been making working full-time at a local nonprofit.
@James – Here’s to making our financial goals a reality…maybe not with instantaneous Internet riches, but by paying our dues and earning our “rich bitch” status honestly.