I so appreciate this reflection and detail of your year financially, Alicia. It takes a certain steeliness to freelance, but the upside is learning to trust yourself and the universe. The money always comes! With 25 years of self-employment behind me, literally the only regret I have is not focusing more on retirement savings. Looks like you've got a lock on that. You've got this.
lordie it is rare to read a frank and upbeat reflection on facing economic challenge and coming through it with one's head up. lovely to hear that your preparedness, attitude, and good fortune (in a lot of ways) has carried you through so far.
This one hits!! From the first para - that stability is borrowed, a retirement account isn’t the only thing worth investing in, and you can handle more than you’ve given myself credit for. These are bars 👏🏻👏🏻 and mirrors some of my 2025 lessons learned. Excellent (and inspiring) kick off to the new year.
Sidebar: sidebar I can’t make it this weekend but hoping to do so in the future!
Very impressive how you have weathered these changes!Obviously none of my business- but just the way you worded some things on here, it seems like you and your husband decided not to truly “combine” finances once married? Would be curious to see a post on how you are handling things and your thought process, if you are filling to share!
Thank you! And yes, we’re still figuring it out. It’s honestly been hard to think about doing it without knowing what my income is to contribute, just a weird mental block I’m having. I think we’re both used to doing things on our own, so we’re learning how to do it together now.
I loved this. Thank you for sharing your lessons. As someone who too was laid off the same year I got married (two months before), I went straight into desperate mode even with a hefty emergency fund. The advice your friend gave you is everything, the money will come and it finally did for me too so I'm glad you took that trip and trusted yourself.
Your cat is adorable and definitely worth it! My vet told me about the CareCredit card that is used to cover everything not under traditional health care (dental, optical, vet). It offers generous interest-free financing with a lot of providers. Makes the vet bills easier to manage!
Your willingness to openly share the details of the year so frankly is telling about how you view finances and the importance of open conversation - so it would seem you have definitely landed in the right place. And your lens is so healthy; you are already (and still) in a far better financial position than many and you have some freedom to be bold. Clearly you are a very thoughtful, diligent worker and things will sort out. As a freelancer to another freelancer, just a reminder that like health insurance, covering our taxes requires serious effort and planning. I’m always floored by how much I owe and that’s one area of savings that can’t be sidestepped.
I would suggest, maybe a part time job to get some health insurance, see if someone would trade hours you work for healthcare. I am also suggesting some part time work to keep and make new connection whether it be friendships, mutual interest, possible freelance opportunities or just to get out of the house, might be worth you investigating.
If you have a hobby, quilting, putting together outfits, computer expertise, knitting, decluttering! writing up directions, giving a class, or helping a beginner out in terms of how to do things can be an additional source of income. Have an hourly rate, and people you can connect with to explore new avenues of possible income.
You are much braver than I am. I always needed the 9-5 for stability. For me, stability and staying afloat was paramount to my life choices.
Than you so much for sharing this! We are all grateful you’re taking a chance on the purse! And both the cat and the dining room table look extremely worth it to me!
So much of this resonated with me after being laid off from my corporate media job in 2020 after maternity leave for my first born. My view of work and stability has changed so much in the last five years. Love to read your perspective. Wishing you all the best in the freelance world and hope you continue to gain confidence … and contracts!!
I so appreciate this reflection and detail of your year financially, Alicia. It takes a certain steeliness to freelance, but the upside is learning to trust yourself and the universe. The money always comes! With 25 years of self-employment behind me, literally the only regret I have is not focusing more on retirement savings. Looks like you've got a lock on that. You've got this.
Thank you Joy! Your freelance career is so impressive, so I know it can be done successfully!
lordie it is rare to read a frank and upbeat reflection on facing economic challenge and coming through it with one's head up. lovely to hear that your preparedness, attitude, and good fortune (in a lot of ways) has carried you through so far.
Thank you Eliza! Good fortune is (ironically) a really good way to think about it
This one hits!! From the first para - that stability is borrowed, a retirement account isn’t the only thing worth investing in, and you can handle more than you’ve given myself credit for. These are bars 👏🏻👏🏻 and mirrors some of my 2025 lessons learned. Excellent (and inspiring) kick off to the new year.
Sidebar: sidebar I can’t make it this weekend but hoping to do so in the future!
Thank you so much Lizz! That’s too bad about this weekend, but really hoping to see you again at the next one!
Very impressive how you have weathered these changes!Obviously none of my business- but just the way you worded some things on here, it seems like you and your husband decided not to truly “combine” finances once married? Would be curious to see a post on how you are handling things and your thought process, if you are filling to share!
Thank you! And yes, we’re still figuring it out. It’s honestly been hard to think about doing it without knowing what my income is to contribute, just a weird mental block I’m having. I think we’re both used to doing things on our own, so we’re learning how to do it together now.
I loved this. Thank you for sharing your lessons. As someone who too was laid off the same year I got married (two months before), I went straight into desperate mode even with a hefty emergency fund. The advice your friend gave you is everything, the money will come and it finally did for me too so I'm glad you took that trip and trusted yourself.
Thank you Dannielle!
Your cat is adorable and definitely worth it! My vet told me about the CareCredit card that is used to cover everything not under traditional health care (dental, optical, vet). It offers generous interest-free financing with a lot of providers. Makes the vet bills easier to manage!
Your willingness to openly share the details of the year so frankly is telling about how you view finances and the importance of open conversation - so it would seem you have definitely landed in the right place. And your lens is so healthy; you are already (and still) in a far better financial position than many and you have some freedom to be bold. Clearly you are a very thoughtful, diligent worker and things will sort out. As a freelancer to another freelancer, just a reminder that like health insurance, covering our taxes requires serious effort and planning. I’m always floored by how much I owe and that’s one area of savings that can’t be sidestepped.
Thank you! And that is a good reminder—definitely another goal for this month is to be more serious about setting money aside for taxes.
This was a really interesting read! Thanks for your vulnerability in sharing here!
Thank you for reading, Heidi!
I would suggest, maybe a part time job to get some health insurance, see if someone would trade hours you work for healthcare. I am also suggesting some part time work to keep and make new connection whether it be friendships, mutual interest, possible freelance opportunities or just to get out of the house, might be worth you investigating.
If you have a hobby, quilting, putting together outfits, computer expertise, knitting, decluttering! writing up directions, giving a class, or helping a beginner out in terms of how to do things can be an additional source of income. Have an hourly rate, and people you can connect with to explore new avenues of possible income.
You are much braver than I am. I always needed the 9-5 for stability. For me, stability and staying afloat was paramount to my life choices.
Appreciate this post especially since I’m navigating a similar journey after a lay off.
Thanks Jessica, and sorry to hear about your lay off!
Great read, Alicia! I’m cheering for ya !
Thank you Maggie!
What a beautiful read and I’m just proud of you and how well you’ve been navigating everything!
Thank you Max!!
Than you so much for sharing this! We are all grateful you’re taking a chance on the purse! And both the cat and the dining room table look extremely worth it to me!
Thank you! And yeah, they’re okay ;)
So much of this resonated with me after being laid off from my corporate media job in 2020 after maternity leave for my first born. My view of work and stability has changed so much in the last five years. Love to read your perspective. Wishing you all the best in the freelance world and hope you continue to gain confidence … and contracts!!
Thank you Laura! I’m sorry to hear about your layoff (especially right after maternity leave) but here’s to hopefully more stability!
Thank you for your honesty here! As someone who also lost a job in 2025, so much of this resonated deeply.
Thank you Fay! Wishing you all the best on what’s next!
Thanks for sharing your story!