How to Be a Frugal Freelance Writer

As a freelance writer, I consider myself to be very lucky. I'm working when a lot of my friends and relatives are unemployed because of the recession. However, the fact that I'm employed when many others aren't is not an excuse in my mind to just spend money like it's going out of style, or to be careless with how I spend my money. It's easy when you're doing well financially to get comfortable and not really think about certain expenses, particularly the ones related to your freelance writing career. Here are some tips for cutting costs and being frugal when you're a freelance writer. Keep in mind that being frugal does not mean going without, it just means spending less money and maybe a little more effort to get what you want.

1. Instead of purchasing new printer cartridges when you run out of ink, purchase refurbished ones, or have your cartridges refilled.

2. Shop thrift stores for office products like paper, ink cartridges, computer keyboards, and even computer software. I've gotten some very good deals on copy paper, in fact about a month ago I found two reams of copy paper for my printer for $1.99 each. Normally copy paper runs anywhere from $3.00 to $7.00 a ream, so I saved a few bucks there.

3. Instead of purchasing style guides, a dictionary, thesaurus or other reference books to keep in your office, see if there is a similar version available online, or purchase copies at a second-hand store. I gave away my writer's reference books a long time ago because I found that it was easier to access the same information online than it was to get up from my desk and look for the book it was in, and then paw through the book to find what I needed.

4. Don't purchase expensive software packages when you can get a free version online. A great example of a software suite that does everything that Microsoft Office does and is compatible with the programs in Microsoft Office is Open Office. Other examples are GIMP and Paint.net for photo editing, and Daz Studio for those who may like 3D art programs that they can use to create pictures for their articles.

5. Purchase computer and office equipment from e-Bay. I'm not a fan of refurbished computers simply because I've had two of them, and both died well before a new computer would have, however, you can get new computers, printers and other office equipment that you may need for your home office for not much more than you'd pay for the refurbished variety if you purchase them from e-Bay. I got my new desktop for $500 in 2006 and and I haven't had any serious problems with it. I expect to have it for at least another three or four years before I have to replace it.

6. Don't purchase memberships to writer's groups unless you know you will use them and get your money's worth. I know writers that thought it was a big deal to pay for three or four different expensive memberships just so they could say they were members. They really didn't get much out of the organizations they were members of. All they really received for being members was access to a some freelance jobs that they probably could have found elsewhere, and the prestige of saying they were members. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for joining organizations when you you can really benefit and maybe save some money elsewhere or find more writing gigs. However, it's been my experience that this is usually not the case, and you find yourself forking out a few hundred dollars a year and not getting a return back. Keep in mind there are plenty of online organizations that you can join that don't cost anything and you still get the same or similar benefits.

These are just a few of the ways that you can be a frugal freelance writer and save money, I'm sure if you think about it you can think of others. What I like most about being a frugal freelance writer is I get to use that money I saved for savings, or to buy something I really need or want. In the end I think being frugal pays far better dividends than spending money like there's no tomorrow for all the goodies us writers think we need to have to succeed.