Freelancers and Credit Cards – Making a Tough Relationship Work

Photo by SqueakyMarmot.

I’ve been a freelancer full-time for over 6 years and a credit card holder for about 8 years. I love being able to set my own hours and being able to only work when I want to. While others face a hassling commute and complain about their daily grind, I enjoy a work situation I love.

The one downside, of course, is that with freelancing, finances can really be up and down. It can make credit cards more than a little tricky. By making most of the mistakes it is possible to make, I have found that freelancers should be careful with the plastic and keep the following in mind:

1. Look for other types of credit. As a freelancer, waiting for that check can sometimes be hard. Not all clients are prompt in paying you, and that can create problems. Clients may be tardy, but your bills still have an annoying tendency to be due at the same time each month –- whether you are getting paid or not. Credit can be one way to make sure that you can fill any financial gaps, but just because you need credit does not mean that credit cards are the best option. Lines of credit can be more flexible and far less expensive, for example. If there are times when you know you will need to borrow to pay your bills, be sure to select the best credit option.

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