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☆ I got fired from my dream tech job but now I make more money and work less hours a week as a content creator. Here's how I built it up.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Zulie Rane | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Zulie Rane makes six figures as a content creator after being fired from her job at a tech company. Over the next two years, I worked to build my real dream job in content creation. Within two years, I went from being a mediocre account manager at a tech company to a six-figure content creator who loves her job and works 20 hours a week. If I'd let go of that sooner, I could have started on my real dream job much earlier. Zulie Rane is a content creator, cat mom, and freelancer.

And so whenever I get one of those notifications, I know I’m going to have a good time there. kevin roose[LAUGHS]: I actually don’t think I could’ve told you what IBM stood for. kevin rooseSo I’ve thought a lot and written a lot about how and when AI actually is a threat to jobs. The third category is just the jobs that I think are going to be protected, the jobs that we won’t let AI do. But I don’t actually think the speed of it matters at all.

"The companies' behavior has created a gig economy inside a union workforce," said the WGA, which represents roughly 11,500 writers. The rise of streaming has led to declining television ad revenue, as traditional TV audiences shrink and advertisers go elsewhere. The last WGA strike in 2007 and 2008 lasted 100 days. Writers say they have suffered in the streaming TV boom with shorter seasons and smaller residual payments. Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Kenneth MaxwellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ I made $194,000 in a year as a freelancer taking pictures of M&Ms, Burt's Bees, and other products. Here's the exact email I used to land clients.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Ella Hopkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

See the email template Schlabs uses to land clients such as Burt's Bees and M&M's. I studied marketing at college and had a marketing job lined up but decided to instead go into freelance product photography after I graduated. I decided to try product photography freelanceWhen I left college in May 2020, I decided to try out product-photography freelancing. My name is Deidre Schlabs, I own Fluff Media, a full-service photography agency focusing on editorial and content product photography. I am reaching out to see if you are in need of product photography and/or social media content creation.

☆ 4 side hustles you can do any time of day ‘in your pajamas’—one pays as much as $250/hour
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

If you are considering starting a side hustle, along with figuring out how much time you'll be spending on it, you'll need to figure out when in the day you can squeeze it in. Here are four side hustles you can do any time of day. You can also look for contract marketing gigs on sites like Freelancer.com, MarketerHire, LinkedIn and Monster. You can also find gigs on job search sites like Indeed or create a profile on sites like ServiceScape. You could also make a profile on Upwork or try looking for open gigs on sites like Behance or the aforementioned job search engines.

CNN —The World Health Organization warned Tuesday of a “huge biological risk” after Sudanese fighters seized the National Public Health Laboratory in the capital Khartoum, as foreign nations raced to mount rapid evacuation efforts from the country and violence punctured a fragile US-brokered ceasefire. Seized laboratory a potential ‘germ bomb’A high-ranking medical source told CNN that the lab, which contains samples of diseases and other biological material, had been taken over by RSF forces. Navy PhotoAs many as 500 people fleeing the fighting have begun boarding the French frigate “Lorraine” in Port-Sudan on Tuesday afternoon, a spokesman for the French Chief of Defense Staff told CNN. “Shops are running out of food completely” and several food factories in the state had been looted, the witness, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, told CNN. On Monday, the Sudanese military claimed that the RSF killed an Egyptian diplomat, while the RSF claimed the army targeted civilians in an airstrike on a Khartoum neighborhood.

☆ Science Proves the 4-Day Workweek Prevents Burnout, Helps Productivity
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Shubham Agarwal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

At the time, back in 2018, a New Zealand firm had just wrapped up a landmark trial to test the efficacy of a four-day workweek. A lot of the benefits of the four-day workweek come down to a simple, everyday activity: sleep. A lot of the benefits of the four-day workweek come down to a simple, everyday activity: sleep. Less time, more productiveThough the four-day workweek may seem like a recent phenomenon, it's been decades in the making. But for now, the four-day workweek certainly has the potential to be a far-reaching antidote to pressing workplace concerns such as mass resignations and the burnout crisis.

☆ A freelancer who is financially independent from his real estate portfolio shares the 'pyramid model' that helps him decide how to invest his money
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Atif Afzal has built wealth and created financial independence via real estate investing, but it's not the only place he puts his money. Real estate is the lowest risk for me because traditionally it has always grown." Despite his success as a real estate investor, he's invested in other types of assets, including cryptocurrency and the stock market. Why real estate is at the base of the pyramidFor Afzal, investing most of his money into real estate means "adopting a conservative approach," he said. Seattle-based real estate investor and self-made millionaire Todd Baldwin similarly believes that real estate investing is the most tried-and-true way to generate wealth.

I requested an extension on my taxes last year, and I put off dealing with my taxes until October. I've gotten another extension this year, but this time it's out of necessity, and I'm going to be careful. I'm requesting a tax extension. Editor's Rating 4.2/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.7/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Learn more On TurboTax's website Learn more On TaxAct's website Learn more On FreeTax USA's websiteI kept putting my taxes off — and then it was OctoberThose are my excuses for logging on and begging for another six months. If everything goes according to plan, we'll be back on track in time to handle 2023 taxes on time.

☆ 5 in-demand skills for freelancers that companies are looking for now—one pays up to $250 an hour
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Work marketplace Upwork recently predicted the most in-demand skills for freelancers for 2023, looking at previous freelancer earnings, number of projects worked and other metrics. Here are five of the most in-demand skills for 2023 according to Upwork, including what freelancers on the platform are charging for them. Full stack developers on Upwork charge as much as $160 per hour. SEO experts on Upwork charge as much as $250 per hour. Accountants on Upwork charge as much as $150 per hour.

☆ I make $7,000 a month writing children’s books and teaching others how to self-publish. Here’s how I got started.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Perri Ormont Blumberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Ren Lowe is an author, the CEO of Brown Unicorn Publishing, and a self-publishing coach. While on maternity leave in 2021, I wrote seven children's books with my daughter, Kameryn, which was the start of my self-publishing business. I started my sister company, Brown Unicorn Publishing, in October 2021, which offers "done for you" publishing services that range in price from $3,000 to $4,500, and my monthly income increased. From November 2021 through August, I earned a little more than $30,000 from the publishing services alone. In my first children's book, the illustrator created the images in the wrong sizing dimensions, and I panicked.

Getting more money when I was struggling with mental health didn't fix my problems. My depression led me to self-medicating with drugs and alcohol, and I thought that once I finally had money, everything would be alright. More money didn't solve my problemsGrowing up, I lived with my dad. Every time I received a raise or a promotion, I thought that would be what would remedy my depression. I'm grateful for everything I've been through, because it taught me that I don't need money to be happy.

☆ A 37-year-old immigrant who started with 'zero credit' and couldn't get a mortgage when he moved to New York explains how he built a 4-property portfolio that's helped him achieve financial independen
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

When Atif Afzal moved to the US in 2018, he didn't have a credit score and had to start from scratch. His lack of credit became a problem when he wanted to buy a home, so he saved up to buy it in cash. When Atif Afzal moved from India to upstate New York in 2018, he didn't have a credit score. Unable to secure a mortgage, he decided to buy his first property with cash. When he first decided to buy property, "my priority was selecting an awesome location," he said.

☆ Tax FAQ: Do you have to pay taxes on a side hustle? What if you miss the deadline? And more
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Cindy Perman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

(On top of that, NYC residents owe a city income tax, which may also apply to some nonresidents.) There is no income tax in New Hampshire or Washington, either, but both states tax investment earnings. But you still must pay taxes by the original deadline to avoid penalties and interest. If you made a net profit of $400 or more from your side hustle, you have to pay taxes on it, according to the IRS. The U.S. has a pay-as-you-go system, so you'll need to pay taxes from your side hustle on a quarterly basis.

I'm able to start investing the money for my future, and I cut my tax bill by around $3,500. This included a federal tax bill of around $9,700 and a New York state tax bill of around $3,300. Freelance income often fluctuates year to year, so this type of retirement account is great for meeting that need. All in all, my new tax bill was around $9,400 — with a $7,200 federal bill and a $2,200 New York state bill. If you're a freelancer looking for last-minute ways to reduce your taxes, consider opening up a SEP IRA account before the deadline.

☆ I make $130K in revenue a year running 2 Airbnbs in the Colorado mountains. It's automated and only takes a few hours a week — here's how we set it up.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( Dorothy Cucci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Our earnings definitely fluctuate from month to month — but this past year, we've averaged about $10,000 a month in revenue and made around $130,000 in revenue total. Typically, glamping Airbnbs feature tiny homes, trailers, or tents. It's a large piece of land, so the glamping Airbnb and the mountain home operate as completely separate Airbnbs. Investing back into your listings is crucial to scalingBerghoff's glamping Airbnb exterior. Unique experiences are the future of AirbnbBerghoff's glamping Airbnb.

☆ This tax move is a 'game changer' for freelancers and gig economy workers, advisor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

If you're a freelancer or contract worker, there are still ways to lower your 2022 tax bill — including contributions to a retirement plan improved by legislation passed in December. One of the provisions from Secure 2.0 included a change to solo 401(k) plans, designed for self-employed workers (and possibly spouses) or business owners with no employees. Like standard 401(k) plans, there's a deduction for pretax solo 401(k) contributions. But since solo 401(k) account owners can make deposits as both the employee and employer, there's a chance to save more. Before 2022, you needed to open a solo 401(k) by Dec. 31 for current-year deposits.

☆ 33-year-old who brought in $2 million making PowerPoints shares her best tips: 'Reduce the content'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

PowerPoint presentations are a powerful tool for your work life. In fact, their use is so popular "presentation design" is one of the most in-demand freelancer skills for 2023, according to work marketplace Upwork. Courtney Allen has been designing PowerPoints professionally since 2013. She knew there was a future in designing them; now she's made more than 1,000 and brought in $2 million creating them on Upwork. It's less about "your personal design preferences and more designing to who you're talking to."

☆ Lineker wins appeal over 4.9 million pounds tax bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 28 (Reuters) - Sports presenter Gary Lineker won his appeal against Britain's tax authority (HMRC) on Tuesday over a bill that totalled 4.9 million pounds ($6.03 million). Lineker, who presents BBC's 'Match of the Day' and also worked on BT Sport's coverage, was pursued by the HMRC over taxes on income from both broadcasters from 2013-14 to 2017-18. The HMRC said he was an employee of both BBC and BT Sport at the time but a judge ruled the 62-year-old was a freelancer and had contracts with both broadcasters. "The effect of my conclusions is that because there were direct contracts, between the BBC and Mr Lineker and BT Sport and Mr Lineker, the intermediaries legislation (IR35) does not, and cannot as a matter of law, apply," Tribunal Judge Brooks said in a statement. "Accordingly, and notwithstanding GLM (Gary Lineker Media)being a partnership, that is the end of the matter and the appeal succeeds."

☆ 6 books that taught me how to be a freelancer and land clients quickly
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Chris Weller | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Chris Weller recently launched a new business to help thought leaders tell their stories. He read many books before starting his business and shared his six favorites. My business is to help thought leaders in business and academia write more effectively and gain recognition for their ideas — storytelling. Before I started the actual business, I knew I needed to learn more about what I was getting myself into. Three weeks into starting my business, I was already under contract for my first projects and now have a handful more lined up.

☆ I make up to $13,000 a month from my digital-marketing business and still have the flexibility to travel and snowboard — here's how I built it
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Perri Ormont Blumberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

She and her partner made $180,000 in 2022 while maintaining the flexibility to ski and snowboard. I now live near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, during the winters to snowboard and run my digital-marketing agency, Snowmad Digital. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the PR agency I was working for fired everyone, and I started wildland firefighting. One of my newer clients said they saw the video and just hired me this month largely because of it. I never work with my clients' competitors, and I work with clients all around the country and the world.

☆ Want to start a side hustle and earn extra money? Here's how to launch a lucrative business and bring in six figures.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Like many people during the pandemic, Davis reallocated the time she'd typically spent commuting home to building her side hustle. Davis' handbag company netted $14,000 in sales in its first four months in business, which Insider verified with documentation. Another entrepreneur, Lisa Andrea, regularly books $8,000 in revenue a month from her side hustle, The Financial Cookbook, which Insider also verified with documentation. Andrea started The Financial Cookbook, an online financial-coaching company, to earn extra income and try entrepreneurship part time before taking the plunge. Leveraging expertise, as Andrea did with financial coaching, is one way entrepreneurs can start a side hustle and balance risk versus reward.

I had very limited access to financial support for college, so I dropped out after a semester. I dropped out of college after a semester, and it has worked out great for me. And that's when I realized that college wasn't a necessity. College is worth it for many, but it wasn't for meSo, is college worth it? Based on my experience, I don't want my son to think he doesn't need to go to college.

☆ I've worked remotely abroad since 2016. I'm never going back to Canada because life overseas is so much more affordable.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I first started working remotely in 2016 as a freelancer. I've been working remotely full-time as a project manager for eight months or so. I would say if you were to make $3,000 a month and live in Colombia, you'd be able to live like royalty. Because I'm able to afford my living expenses and my food, it makes everything else so enjoyable. I'm able to just be comfortable.

☆ This creative skill for freelancers is in ‘giant’ demand—and can pay as much as $145 per hour
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

As far as creative skills go, graphic design is in high demand. Topping the list of in-demand creative skills was graphic design. Here's what graphic design entails and how much freelancers and side hustlers stand to make. Many graphic designers have a bachelor's degree in the field but if you're keen to dive in, you won't necessarily need one. These can be tailored to specific needs, like user experience design, or more general courses which cover the basics of design software.

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