Launching your own business requires investment both in time and money, so you’ll need to be in a secure enough financial position to get by without your regular income. We’ll walk you through the deeper financial aspects like start-up costs and calculating your rates later in this guide, but it’s crucial to know up-front that very few get rich quick in the freelancing biz. While there is help for self-employed workers out there, the early days can be slow. Even when established your earnings can fluctuate. A contingency fund to cover liabilities (i.e. rent and bills) is therefore vital.