Need Cash (crucial times)

[bejamshi]

Need cash (crucial times), business been slow and I am running out of cash, next few months are crucial for the survival of my business.

Any idea what I can do, should i look for a job or see what will happen.
I have been sending out mailers, thinking of post cards too.

Have you been in this stressful situation where mortgage and other expenses are eating away at your savings?
Very stressed out wabbit.

[jlknauff]

Look at your existing resources - client list, email list, old prospets, etc.

Also, what services or products can you add to increase your potential revenue.

Get on the phone or the street and start making sales calls.

Network.

You're going to find yourself in this situation more than once in your lifetime unless you make preparations to avoid it by having a diverse line of products and services.

[Drazan]

In freelancing, you'll probably spend 1/4 to 1/2 your time lining up customers as you would actually designing. Even if you have a steady flow of contracted customers there will be thin spots in your income.

[cornfed]

I'm definitely having thin spots in my budget right now! I've spent all day creating a new budget and a new way of doing things. I also have gotten a full time job that I start on the 20th. I'm tired of running into financial kinks. My youngest is old enough to start school so I'm biting the bullet and am gonna be done with hard times. I'll still freelance on the side, but the stress of making ends meet really can bring you down. It doesn't wear well on me. So, I figured why subject myself to this when I don't have to. Working in your underwear is fun and all but being able to afford underwear is even better!!

[morea]

Have you been in this stressful situation where mortgage and other expenses are eating away at your savings?

To be honest, I've never had savings.

Try to sort things out, but don't be too proud to accept a temporary part time or full time job to get through the hard times. You might be able to pick up some design-related work - like a temp job at a print shop - that will help you to build more marketable skills as a freelancer.

Also, make an effort to live more frugally, if possible. Make your own coffee at home instead of picking up Starbucks. Make sandwiches instead of going our for lunch, etc.

[bejamshi]

Thank you gang, I think we all have felt like this, not a good feeling. Time will tell, Like Morea suggested maybe some part time work or full time for a while might do the trick

Cornfed it is hard raising a kid too, I am one person and I have cut down on a lot of expenses and still this summer has been very slow, i am hoping fall would bring better business. Will keep you all posted.

[urstwile]

Good luck, Bejamshi. :)

[bejamshi]

Time for some pudding... Yummy

[frankster]

That's your problem right there! Spendin' money on frivolous stuff like pudding! Shame on you! Back to the store brand mac and cheese! ;) :D

Oh and good luck!:)

[cornfed]

I coulda been homemade puddin' Frankster!! but prolly not.

[bejamshi]

I guess I should go back to eating carrots, oh by the way I plant them myself too. :P

[Kool]

Don't be afraid to fail. It took me two failed attempts before I was able to make working total freelance work the third time. Just don't wait until the wolves are at the door before going back to work for the man. It's important not to let your ventures get you into a hole that harms your credit. If you have to go back to a regular job use the time to evaluate why you failed the first time and save up for your next attempt.

[bejamshi]

Thank you Kool, I get projects for my business but the money does not add to what I need to pay for my monthly expenses. I take your advice.

[greyghost]

Number one rule, don't panic and start looking at job listings.
You CAN think of a way out of this. There are ways to make money... and if you can't make it... look really cute and sexy and find yourself a Sugar Daddy so your working days are over.

All kidding aside. We've all just about panicked, started looking at Monster.com listings and dusting off our resumes. Usually right before I start to give up, I either think of something or my phone rings. So keep your chin up and your head about you.

[Ned]

Kraft Dinner and Chef Boyardee when you feel like splurging.

Pasta and frozen Chicken Burgers when you're tight.

Yes, this is the voice of experience. :D

[Ned]

Don't be afraid to fail. It took me two failed attempts before I was able to make working total freelance work the third time. Just don't wait until the wolves are at the door before going back to work for the man. It's important not to let your ventures get you into a hole that harms your credit. If you have to go back to a regular job use the time to evaluate why you failed the first time and save up for your next attempt.

Colonol Sanders travelled the US with his tasty chicken recipe; living off his own chicken and receiving over a hundred "NO"s before he finally found somebody to buy it, creating the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise.

[bejamshi]

Ned that is cool, I like Kentucky fried chicken but with less cholesterol.
:P

Yes no one becomes rich overnight , well some do but what goes up must come down.
:)

[Broacher]

Homemade pudding could cost you more-- if you use fresh ingredients.

All kidding aside, financial 'despair' while equally upsetting emotionally for all, is a relative scale. I've had bosses lament to me about having to give up their season's seats at the opera or golf club membership for the sake of paying for their kid's private college tuition in the same way others lament over finding the bucks to pay for their kids basic food and clothing.

When my wife and I were starting out (freelancing) we were hit with a heavy tax bill and the money we had put aside to pay for it had long ago been consumed in paying the rent and grocery bills. We visited the local tax office for a consult with a staffer who suggested that we apply for a 'financial hardship' extension. She then started to show us how to fill out a form to prove our state of hardship based on what the government considered 'essentials' and non-essentials.

We were stunned to discover that the 'essentials' included cable television service (we had long ago given that up), car payments (and no, it didn't matter how expensive a model car it was) and many more items that we just never considered 'affordable'. Like I said, it's a relative scale. Ask any college student who considers the cost of ordering a pizza to cover a cram session an 'emergency item' suitable for their student credit card.

The values that determine the distinction between material needs and material wants is something that too often defines our social and family values.

At least, that's what I say to my kids when they whine about still being on dial-up.

[budafist]

Pasta and frozen Chicken Burgers when you're tight.

Those sound pricey. I think you mean instand noodles without peas when you're tight.

[bejamshi]

You guys are funny, I never giveup my food.
Mama where are you? I am coming to visit.
LOL

[D-Frag]

i sold meat door to door when i couldn't find work, believe me you will make it, just gotta work hard to survive sometimes

[bejamshi]

Thanks D-Frag I love your avatar.

[D-Frag]

thanks, it was an accidental photo when I took it, then realized the blur was actually a nice effect, just a little level blow out on top of that and walla instant dj photo :)

[bejamshi]

just the small text "We have come to ......" can not be seen on the gray

[Ned]

Those sound pricey. I think you mean instand noodles without peas when you're tight.

Ichiban! How could I forget that?

I haven't had ichiban in so long... I must be looking after my heart. ;)

[Liquid Layers]

instant dj photo :)

Do you spin, and if so what?

[Kool]

Colonol Sanders travelled the US with his tasty chicken recipe; living off his own chicken and receiving over a hundred "NO"s before he finally found somebody to buy it, creating the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise.

Heh heh, it was right in my home town that he sold it.

I think a few may be misinterpreting my post. I don't want anybody to give up their dream. I know most of those motivational types like to spout "Failure is not an option" and "Can't is not in my vocabulary" and other such nonsense but in reality most first time small businesses fail and riding your dream to bankruptcy hoping for something to save it is not a good idea. It will take a heck of a lot longer to claw your way back to where you can try again. There is absolutely no shame in having to go back to work for 6 months or a year and then trying again.

bejamshi has a serious problem with being able to cold contact people. This isn't an unsurmountable problem, I used to have it myself but it's either going to have to be overcome or worked around before he will be able to succeed in this business.

[hewligan]

Ichiban! How could I forget that?

I haven't had ichiban in so long... I must be looking after my heart. ;)

Ever since I turned thirty, fresh vegetables have had an irresistable appeal to me.

Sometimes I get depressed at how healthy my diet has become.

[Liquid Layers]

I just wanted to add that a vast majority of Millionaires went bankrupt at least once.

[bejamshi]

bejamshi has a serious problem with being able to cold contact people. This isn't an unsurmountable problem, I used to have it myself but it's either going to have to be overcome or worked around before he will be able to succeed in this business.

I totally agree with you, I have luckly found a great lady that has worked in radio advertising and she is making my followup calls. I consider myself very lucky, I have a very optimistic view of life and very seldom felt worried.

Time can tell.
I got to get a postcard done soon too.

[budafist]

Hewligan, you make it sound as if 30 is old. I'm impressed that you are eating good food though. Good food makes me happy. I don't mean bland healthy food though, I mean decent, nutritious, tasty food.

p.s. Is it atrocious that I, a self confessed foodaholic had to look up ichiban? It's a brand of instant noodles right? I haven't seen it here so I guess that's not so bad.

[hewligan]

Hewligan, you make it sound as if 30 is old. I'm impressed that you are eating good food though. Good food makes me happy. I don't mean bland healthy food though, I mean decent, nutritious, tasty food.

Well, I'm hardly geriatric, but at the same time I'm not 20-something anymore, either. If I don't eat reasonably healthy and get a decent amount of exercise, my body certainly lets me know about it, these days.

Also, I only tend to get drunk on weekends. Going to work with a hangover's not nearly as easy as it used to be.

So, yeah, not old, but I certainly couldn't keep up with hard-living 23 year old Hewligan anymore :D

[budafist]

Well, I'm 23 and I don't come to work hungover. Is that bad?

My coming to work hungover days were at age 18-20. At 23 I'm far too mature for that :D Yes, I guess I go through the motions much quicker. Does that mean I get to retire by the time I'm 35?

[bejamshi]

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