Student loan debt is at an all-time high, and that means countless individuals across the country are struggling to repay money they have borrowed – sometimes for years or even decades. While traditional employment can help with the task of paying off debts, there is another way: freelancing. This is surely an untraditional approach, but we live in untraditional times! Continue reading for a thorough guide on why you should consider freelancing to pay off your student loan debt.

FREELANCING OFFERS MANY BENEFITS

First and foremost, freelancing offers a variety of benefits to those who pursue it. Some of the most notable benefits include:

• Flexible work schedule and location – you can set your own schedule and work wherever you want, so long as you meet your deadlines
• Personalized workspace – if you set up your own home office, you can do so in a way that caters to your personal needs and preferences to improve productivity
• Savings on childcare – if you have children, there is no need to invest in childcare since you will already be at home
• Sweatpants galore – you sure won’t be attending in-person meetings from home, so there is no need for an extensive professional wardrobe

You can probably tell that improved flexibility across the board is one of the most significant benefits of freelancing to pay off student loan debt. And best of all, you can pursue freelancing will nearly any and all skills you may hold!

FREELANCE WITH ALL DIFFERENT SKILLS

What type of work do freelancers do? Well, they can do virtually any type of work, depending on their skill sets. Some common examples include:

• Call center representative – taking customer service calls and answering questions
• Craft maker – selling handmade goods
• Tutor – teaching students of all ages about various educational subjects
• Social media manager – running online campaigns or promoting products
• Writer – blog or article writing for one or multiple companies

If you are having trouble narrowing things down, think about any restrictions you may have. First of all, you should establish what skills you have, as this will allow you to be most efficient and successful at what you’re doing. You should also know how much time you want to work and how much money you ideally would like to make.

FREELANCING IN PRACTICE

When it comes to actually putting freelancing into practice, there are a handful of musts that nearly every freelancer should make sure they have. For practical purposes, you should have the following:

• Computer and internet connection – this is most likely how you will get clients and/or communicate for most of the freelancing jobs you take
• Devoted workspace – you will want to set up shop somewhere you feel comfortable; even if you are on the move, having a dedicated workspace wherever you are will ensure that you can full concentrate on your work
• Industry experience – this may seem obvious, but you should know what you are getting yourself into and how to properly do whatever requests you are taking; having a thorough understanding of the industry you are working in is critical
• Schedule outlook – while your schedule will not necessarily be set, you should have an idea of the hours you will be working, and the client demands you may be expecting

Last but not least, the single most important thing to have is a positive attitude! Freelancing, like any traditional job, can be tough at times, especially when you are trying to pay off student loan debt. But approaching it with charisma and a “can-do” approach will take you far!