For freelancers and self-employed folks, the freedom and flexibility you gain working for yourself often means you also have an unpredictable income stream. So how do you save for retirement or other long term goals with irregular income? Here is a 4 step process to set your financial life up so you can save like you’re getting a regular paycheck, while still being the boss. 

As a self-employed individual, you're your own boss, which means you are fully responsible for your time and how you choose to use it. Wanna go for a hike on a ridiculously sunny Wednesday afternoon in June? Heck yeah, go for it.

But what happens if you were to get carried away looking at the views, miss a step, and whoops now you’re in the hospital, need surgery, and expect a rough recovery ahead that will most definitely impact your ability to work. Oof. Since you bravely gave up a corporate safety net with cushy benefits, I don’t need to remind you that being out of commission for a bit could impact your bottom line. 

But there is good news! Washington state is among a handful of states that provides a paid family & medical leave program (PFML) which self-employed residents can “opt-in” to and receive benefits. 

Five financial tips for planning a digital nomad trip!