Letters to the Editor
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Health insurance and other advice
I've been a freelance writer going on 14 years, and there are actually quite a few resources for health coverage if you know where to look. The National Association for the Self Employed can give freelancers access to health coverage, although they can be very aggressive about phone solicitations if you express interest, so beware.
If you write books like I do, the Author's Guild is another good source of both medical and dental insurance, as well as basic legal services. The National Writers Union is another source of medical, dental and vision coverage and is open to a wider range of writers.
I opened a SEP IRA many years ago, but I can add some other bits of advice that I've found to be vital now that I'm a father working at home with two little girls and a stay-at-home mom wife:
1. Find a go-to place that can be your "office." With wi-fi and a good laptop, you can escape the distractions of home and work at a Starbucks or any favorite coffeehouse. I do it 1-2 days a week, and without the temptations of playing with my toddler or reading the paper, I get more done at my "office" than I do at home.
2. Keep every receipt. Get your tax preparer (have one; it's very good advice) give you an organizational structure so you can create a file for every gas receipt, parking receipt and credit card statement. When you're freelance, many things are deductible that aren't when you work for a company.
3. Try to carve out a work-only space at home. I'm lucky enough to have a dedicated room I use as my office, but you can simply designate a section of a room or a part of the garage. As long as you only use it for business (no playing in Second Life until 3 a.m.), you can deduct part of your rent or mortgage, utilities, etc.
It's a great life, especially being home with my kids. We're thinking of leaving California for a place that's cheaper and offers a simpler lifestyle, and it's wonderful not to worry about finding a job. By the way, my tax preparer is marvelous and costs $315. If anybody wants her e-mail address, speak up and I'll post it here as long as that's OK with Salon.