My problem with freelancing is that I don’t ONLY want to freelance.

I want to work on my business projects. Unfortunately I can’t do that if i’m always freelancing and working on other peoples projects. This is why I want to get back into the job market. To give myself time to find/create/refine my ideas, save some money (a lot more), get more experience and then jump back into the business world.

I *could* raise my rates and I *could* work a lot harder as a freelancer, but that is the equivalent to having a job (actually, it’s worst).

Sorry to hear that. I’ll be honest that I was quite surprised at your revenue figures, and not in a good way. Is it possible that you are undercharging for your services? You mention that find yourself doing *more* freelance work, which implies that there is demand for your services. Perhaps if you raised your rates you would be more in-line with what you’d receive at a job, while retaining the perks of freelancing?

I’ve read the book as well. I don’t see it as choosing to sit on a beach all day. I see at as choosing to do what you want to do. If you could build a boring affiliate marketing web site to take care of your basic needs and a little more, that would free you up to do fun things like build a new social network web site. Of course, much like when I bought speakers before I bought an A/V receiver, I have cart before the horse. Now I’m trying to break the affiliate marketing code.

Originally, I was just going to reply “NOOOOOOO!!!” But I had to change gears to correct a misconception that anyone can tell you what your ideal life would be like. For instance, if money weren’t an issue I’d be reading SICP, learning PHP so I could do a project with you :), writing scripts to automate more things in my personal life, and probably building a large personal information application.

I also wouldn’t mind learning to play guitar and piano and trombone or learning Spanish. And I also wouldn’t mind relocating to Florida every March to take in all of Spring Training. There is a lot of stuff I’d like to do if I just had a baseline income supplanted by occasional freelance work.

Unfortunately these books always make it seem as though “not working” is part of the ideal life. I actually do enjoy working and couldn’t see myself sitting on a beach every day drinking Sangria.

Either way, i’ll make sure to pickup a copy.

Cheers!

The problem with freelance is that you’re the lynchpin. If you don’t work, you don’t make money. The book will help you realize it and maybe help you figure out indeed how to make some money on those Web apps, or something else.

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/

I just finished reading it last night. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.