Showerthought: I found out most freelancers don't have a plan for sick days

I was reading a report from a freelance union last week, and it said nearly 60% of us have zero income set aside for when we get sick. I got the flu in February and had to cancel a week of work, which really hit my wallet. It made me realize I'm just hoping I stay healthy instead of planning for it. How do you guys handle it when you can't work for a week?

3 comments

3 Comments

david5621d ago

Wait, only 60 percent? That feels way too low from what I've seen. I figured almost nobody had a plan. Every freelancer I know just crosses their fingers and hopes for the best. It's crazy we build our own jobs but forget to plan for the one thing that happens to everyone. Getting sick isn't an if, it's a when. That report makes it sound like there's a big group who are actually prepared, and I just don't buy it.

garcia.tyler1d ago

Saw a blog calling it the "freelance flu tax" once.

bennett.vera12h ago

Crossing fingers and hoping for the best is my entire business plan. My sick day fund is a bottle of cold medicine and a prayer.