Should I Do Freelancing Or A Full-Time Job

Freelancing is a popular option nowadays because of the flexibility it offers. However, full-time jobs have certain benefits that freelancing can not offer.

In this article, we’ll see the pros and cons of both, so you can make an informed decision when it comes to your work life.

Freelancing VS Full Time Job.. What you NEED to know!

Takeaways
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of freelancing and full-time jobs.
Evaluate your personal preferences, lifestyle, and financial goals to make an informed decision.
Freelancing offers flexibility in work hours and the potential for higher earnings, but it may come with challenges such as irregular income.
Full-time jobs provide stability, benefits, and structured career paths, but may have less flexibility.
Assess your skills, experience, and industry demand to determine the viability of freelancing in your field.
Explore hybrid options such as part-time freelancing or freelance gigs alongside a full-time job.
Networking, building a portfolio, and marketing yourself are crucial for success in freelancing.
Consider the impact on work-life balance, job security, and long-term career growth when making your decision.
Regularly reassess your choice and be open to adjusting your career path as your circumstances evolve.

Table of Contents

Becoming A Freelancer

Becoming a freelancer can be an exciting prospect, but it can also be challenging. A full-time job often offers benefits like paid vacations and health insurance; however, that doesn’t mean the career path is right for everyone.

There are some things to consider before you jump into freelancing full-time:

Do you have enough money saved up? You will not get paid until after your first client pays you (unless they pay upfront). If you don’t have enough savings in case of emergencies or life changes (like if someone gets sick), then maybe working for someone else isn’t such a bad thing after all!
What will happen if your client doesn’t pay? Unfortunately, this happens more than we’d like to think about.

When dealing with clients directly instead of through an agency, there’s no one else holding them accountable if they don’t pay their bills on time, and sometimes even when agencies do get involved in these situations on behalf of their employees/contractors/subcontractors/etc.,

Not only does it take longer than expected but also there could still be difficulty recovering payment even after collecting legal proof from both sides’ lawyers, etc. In short: It sucks!

But don’t worry. There are ways around these challenges that may work better depending on what kind of business model fits best with what type of situation (like becoming part-owner versus contracting out specific tasks).

Considering freelancing alongside a full-time job? Discover the 6 reasons to be a freelancer in addition to having a full-time job. Explore the benefits and possibilities of freelancing in this insightful article.

Pros Of Freelancing

As a freelancer, you get to choose your projects and set your schedule. You can work as much or as little as you want and take time off whenever you need it. You don’t have to deal with office politics, either you get to pick your clients.

Freelancers also make more money than regular employees because they’re not restricted by salary caps or other corporate guidelines. If you’re thinking about joining the ranks, here are some pros for doing so:

Flexible Hours

When you’re your boss, you can set your working hours. This means that you no longer have to be at a desk from 9-5 every day and can work on your time rather than someone else’s.

You can also choose where you want to work whether it be at home or co-working spaces around the country or even overseas if the opportunity arises!

Variety Of Projects

Freelancing is about more than just the money. Although you’re earning more, you also have the freedom to pursue projects that interest you and that help your career grow.

When you work for a company, your tasks are often dictated by someone else’s needs and priorities but when freelancing, it’s all up to you

You can choose which projects you want to work on based on your interests and skillset.

You can take on short-term or long-term assignments depending on how much time off from work those projects require. You can even choose when (and if) you want to take on new clients or jobs as they come along!

Multiple Sources Of Income

Multiple sources of income can be very helpful. It might seem like a lot to handle at first, but if you’ve got the right mindset and some solid organization skills, it can be done.

The most obvious way is to combine different types of work. For example, you could do some freelance writing on the side while working a full-time job as an administrative assistant. Or maybe you’re able to pick up some tutoring sessions after school with students who need help with their academics (and by “students,” we mean your friends).

You don’t have to limit yourself to just one client either. You could offer your services as a writer for three different businesses or companies or even extend that idea further.

For example, if those three different businesses all sell electronics equipment related items such as laptops and mobile phones from different brands then this would be another great way for them all

Freelancing can be rewarding, but it’s important to be aware of potential pitfalls. Learn about the 10 reasons why people end up losing money freelancing and ensure you make informed decisions to protect your financial well-being.

No Office Politics

Let’s start with the obvious: You can work from home, or wherever you want. Work when you want, as long as your clients are happy.

You can decide what to wear. You don’t have to dress up in an office suit and tie every day if that doesn’t suit you, or if it’s too hot out. Choose a more comfortable outfit every day instead!

You can decide when to take breaks and holidays. Take short breaks whenever you want them (although don’t forget about work).

Also, set aside some time off for yourself; relaxation is important for productivity too. Plus no more having trouble making plans because “I have this meeting on Wednesday so I need Thursday off.” It’s now yours.

And go ahead and take two weeks off in December if that sounds like fun there’s no one stopping you from doing so apart from yourself :).

Always Learning Something New

As a freelancer, you have the opportunity to work on different projects and with different clients. You always end up learning something new from each project you take on. Some of the things you will learn include:

New skills and technologies
New business models
New ways to market yourself/your services (including social media strategies)
How to best manage your time and finances while working as a freelancer (for example, creating invoices)

Reduced Costs for Transport, Refreshments, and Uniforms

You don’t need to buy a car. This is a great benefit, especially if you live in the city and spend half your time just driving around looking for parking. Not only will you save money on gas and insurance, but also parking fees!

You don’t need to buy new clothes or office supplies every day because you can work from home or use public Wi-Fi at cafes when needed. This saves both time and money!

You don’t need fancy furniture for your freelance business just an old desk that’s easy to move around and store when not in use (or even better: one that doubles as storage).

If you do want more permanent office space, then consider renting an affordable apartment instead of buying one outright; this way, when it comes time to move on from freelancing full-time it’ll be easier since there aren’t any big investments involved like there would be with buying property instead (like furniture).

Are you interested in writing as a freelancer in the renewable energy industry? Discover valuable insights and guidance on how to become a freelance writer in this sector with our comprehensive article: How to become a freelance writer in the renewable energy industry.

Less Chance Of Becoming Obsolete In The Workplace

You will have a lot more opportunities to grow and learn new skills. For instance, you can build your knowledge by taking online courses or searching for helpful resources. You can also learn from your clients, as well as other freelance professionals in the industry.

There are plenty of ways for remote workers to keep up with the latest technologies without being held back by their office location:

Your computer is always accessible no matter where you go.
Online classes are available from many universities (if not your own).
There are plenty of websites where people share what they know about different topics and industries including some that specialize in coding language!

Cons Of Freelancing

You’d be forgiven for thinking that being your boss and working from home means an easier time of it. For sure, there are plenty of great reasons to freelance, but the truth is that freelancing is not for everyone. Here are some things to consider before you decide to go down the freelance route.

No Guaranteed Income

It’s important to understand that there’s no guaranteed income with freelancing. Although it is possible to predict how much you might earn in a given month, year, or decade, you can’t guarantee your income in any way.

This makes estimating taxes difficult but not impossible. Here are some tips for estimating your income:

Keep track of your time and expenses as best you can so that when the end of the month comes around, you have a pretty good idea of what kind of money will be coming in (and going out).

If this seems like too much work, keep using spreadsheets! Spreadsheets are fun as long as they’re not boring…which they won’t be if they help make sure taxes get paid on time!

Try contacting previous clients at least once per year by email asking if they require any additional services.

This will allow them an opportunity to recommend new clients who would benefit from the same type of service provided by existing ones before deciding whether or not any such recommendations should be taken into consideration during future tax years.

Working From Your Home Can Be Hard

Working from your home is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you have the flexibility to do what you want (within reason) and be there for your family. But on the other hand, this can be incredibly hard on your mental health if you’re not careful.

You might think that working from home means having more social interaction than working in an office would allow and while that’s true to some extent, it isn’t as much as many freelancers initially hope. In an office environment, people are forced into small groups because of cubicles or desks being grouped in large rooms where everyone works together.

This gives everyone more opportunities for discussion with each other throughout the day and makes interactions feel less forced than they would otherwise be at home where no one knows who lives next door or around them on every floor or level of their building unless they get along well enough outside of work hours (which isn’t always easy).

Working remotely also means very little physical interaction with coworkers throughout the day unlike when someone drives into work each day and sees what everyone else is doing through windows designed specifically for this purpose.

Seeing other people working hard makes us feel good about ourselves knowing we’ve accomplished something too even though sometimes our accomplishments don’t seem like much compared with others.

The freelance landscape is changing, reshaping the way we work. Dive into the transformative power of freelancing and its impact on traditional employment in our article: How freelancing is changing the way we work. Stay ahead of the curve and explore the evolving work landscape.

There Is No Health Insurance

One of the biggest drawbacks of freelancing is that you have to pay for your health insurance. When you work for an employer, they usually provide health insurance coverage for their employees as part of the package.

This is a great benefit because it helps keep your out-of-pocket costs low and makes it easy to see a doctor when you’re sick. However, if you’re a freelancer, there’s no such thing as free medical care (at least not anytime soon).

This means that even though many employers offer some sort of financial assistance to help cover monthly premiums or deductibles, once our self-employed status kicks in in late 2019 we’ll either have to pay the full premium ourselves or go without any coverage at all.

If this sounds scary then let us tell you: it can be very expensive. The good news is there are several options available that can help alleviate some stress from this issue; however, before diving into those details we need first understand why exactly these plans exist in order? Why would someone want them? Better yet why should you want one?”

Set Up Costs Are High

Set up costs are high. You’ll have to buy equipment, software, and training. You’ll need to pay for marketing and insurance. You might even need an accountant.

Thankfully there are plenty of free accounting apps available online which will help you keep track of your finances.

And if you decide that this isn’t right for you after all (as many do), then at least now you know what it takes to get started as a freelancer so you can pass on this knowledge to others who may be interested in becoming freelance developers themselves one day!

You’re Stuck With Your Mistakes

While it’s nice to be able to say “it wasn’t my fault,” being a freelancer doesn’t let you get off that easy. Having no one to blame but yourself is both intimidating and liberating. It means that if you make a mistake, nobody will come in and fix it for you but on the other hand, nobody can blame you either.

Ultimately, it all comes down to how much responsibility and accountability you want in your life. If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my time as a freelancer, it’s that mistakes happen and if they do happen on your end of things (and not on yours).

The best thing for everyone involved is for those at fault themselves out of their own mistakes instead of passing them along or waiting for someone else to clean up after them

What To Expect When You Are In A Full-Time Job

When you are in a full-time job, you will have to work a lot of hours. You may not have the flexibility to take breaks when you need to. You may be expected to travel for your job or spend a lot of time away from home.

That means that if you want to work from home, it’s probably not going to happen unless your employer allows remote working and has set up systems in place so that this can be managed appropriately.

You will also have less freedom because people will expect things from you at any given time during the day or week. If someone texts or emails asking for something, chances are they’ll expect an immediate response (maybe even within minutes).

This can make it hard for people who like things done right away but don’t want others waiting on them hand and foot!

Another thing is that there’s no guarantee that everyone will get along well with each other all the time either.

That means there could be conflicts between coworkers too – sometimes these conflicts stem directly out of different personalities clashing together while other times they’re just misunderstandings where one person might think they said one thing while another person heard another thing altogether.

Either way though, having coworkers nearby can lead to some awkward situations where there isn’t much privacy left anymore…and that brings us back around full circle again: onto those pesky office politics again too!

Pros Of Full Time Jobs

Full-time jobs come with a lot of benefits, including:

Make More Money

Part-time jobs pay less than full-time jobs, so if you’re working part-time and trying to make ends meet, then a full-time job could help you out. If not for the money itself, then for the potential for raises and promotions.

While people who work these types of jobs tend to be pretty happy with their current situation and aren’t actively looking for something better (or at least not as often as they are in other industries), there is still room for growth within most companies in this area.

Getting promoted or getting a raise because of hard work is one of the most satisfying feelings in life – and it’s one that all employees should strive towards achieving!

In addition to earning more money by working longer hours throughout each week and year-round instead of just during certain seasons like many seasonal retail workers do, another benefit is that when someone works full time instead of part-time.

They’re more likely to get paid bonuses or raises on top of their regular salary which allows them to save up even faster than before because now they’re making even more per hour so every dollar goes further!

Set A Budget And Stick To It

You’ll want a plan for how much you’re going to spend, especially if you are just starting in the world of full-time employment. This can be done by creating a monthly budget and then sticking with it. If you have money left over at the end of the month, put it into savings or use it for some other purpose like paying off debt or investing in mutual funds.

Developing essential skills is crucial for freelancers. Discover the must-have skills that every freelancer should possess in our informative article: Freelance skills every freelancer should have. Enhance your expertise and set yourself up for success in the freelancing world.

Get Health Insurance

When you have full-time employment, you are more likely to be eligible for health insurance benefits. If your employer offers a health plan, they will also offer a retirement plan (401(k)), which can be an excellent investment in yourself and your future.

You should always investigate what types of benefits are offered by any potential employers before accepting a job offer they may even include dental coverage or life insurance!

Get Paid Vacation Time

There are a variety of benefits that come along with full-time employment. Some of these benefits include paid vacation time and sick days, as well as paid holidays and maternity/paternity leave for new parents. Additionally, some employers offer parental leave to employees who have children.

Have Stability In Your Future Financial Planning

Working full-time will provide you with a steady income and help you plan for your future. This can include:

Retirement planning
Family planning (i.e., saving up for that new house)
Emergency funds in case something goes wrong and you need money fast, like if someone gets sick or if a family member loses their job.

Full-Time Jobs Might Mean More Work, But They Are Great For Your Finances

Full-time jobs are great for your finances

As we mentioned above, full-time jobs provide more stability and security. This is especially true when it comes to benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacation time. Full-time employees are also more likely to have access to paid sick days.

Cons Of Full-Time Jobs

Some say that the “grind” of a full-time job is good for you. While this may be true in some cases, I have seen more downsides to working at a full-time job than positives. Here are just a few examples of why working full time can be bad for you:

You Can Easily Become Overwhelmed

If you’re in a full-time job, your responsibilities will likely increase. This can be great if you enjoy being busy and have a strong work ethic. However, if you prefer more control in your life, this could be a downside.

For example, full-time jobs are often expected to work longer hours than part-timers or freelancers. Many full-timers work 40+ hours per week often including weekends and holidays as well.

Some employers even expect their employees to respond 24/7 during any time off from the office (which is why many companies offer flexible schedules). The good news is that some jobs offer flexible schedules that give employees more control over when they’ll be working next week (and what kind of work they’ll be doing).

Other businesses offer telecommuting options where employees can complete tasks remotely using technology instead of traveling into the office every day (or every other day).

You Won’t Have Time To Learn About New Fields Or Topics

When you are working for a company, you will be expected to give up your free time. You won’t have any time to learn about new fields or topics. You’ll have to work long hours every day and most likely on weekends as well. If you want an interesting job, then it’s best not to work at all!

You will also probably work overtime and on holidays because that’s just what companies do when they try to get ahead of their competitors in the market. And if you don’t like that kind of thing, then maybe it’s time for me to ask: Are You Ready For A Full-Time Job?

You May See A Higher Stress Level

You will likely see a higher stress level in yourself and your coworkers.

Stress is a normal part of life, but some people handle it better than others. Some stress is good for the body and mind; this type of stress comes from challenges that make you grow and adapt to new situations.

But other types of stress are more harmful, such as being unable to sleep or eat properly because you’re so busy working all day long.

People who work full time often find themselves in situations where they don’t get enough exercise or rest, which can lead to physical exhaustion as well as mental fatigue at school or work. This may cause problems with concentration when performing tasks like reading or taking notes while trying not to fall asleep during class/work.

There Is No Assurance That You’ll Love Your Job (Working Full Time)

While it is true that there are benefits to working full time, such as a steady paycheck and an opportunity to work with other people, there are also drawbacks.

One of the most important disadvantages of working full time is that you may not be able to find a job that fits your needs perfectly.

There are many things to consider when looking for a job: what hours do they offer? Is the pay good enough? Do they have good benefits? And perhaps most importantly: Are they hiring? If you’re looking for any of these things but can’t seem to find them… guess what – maybe it’s worth considering doing something else instead!

It May Not Allow You The Freedom To Travel

If you travel for a living, the pros of full-time jobs are pretty obvious. You’re saving money and earning an income at the same time, so a job with an office or even just regular hours is a dream come true. But what about people who work in other industries? If your main goal is to see the world, does working full time make sense?

It depends on what kind of person you are. If your dream is to visit Tokyo and then head over to Antwerp after that, then maybe it’s best not to take on any additional commitments at this stage in your life.

On the other hand, if there’s somewhere else on your bucket list that needs visiting first (like Antarctica), then having more flexibility might be worth sacrificing some fun money while exploring new places around town now and again.

Final Thoughts

In the end, I’d say go for whatever suits your needs. If you are stressed about money and stability, then freelancing is not for you. But if you have enough courage to take risks and can still manage your finances well, then freelancing might be a good option for you.