I am still a freelance web programmer and if you want to try your hand at this, do so with caution. The money can be good if you can manage to pull in enough clients to keep you busy. I have been lucky in that department but it definitely has its ups and downs. The benefits are being your own boss, controlling your income and making your own hours. The downsides are that you are in charge of paying your estimated taxes, you have to deal with nit picky clients, and finally, you just never know when the next paycheck is coming in.
I used to work full time at a web agency and the stress drove me to quitting without even having a new job lined up. I knew that I would have to find freelance work and it has worked out for me so far. I know I don’t want to freelance forever but I am enjoying the much needed free time and being my own boss. If you work full time now and want to try your hand at freelancing, try to start while you are still employed. Save up a good amount of savings for the hard times – there will be some – and always continue to think ahead.
