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About Mandy Gardner

Mandy Gardner is a Canadian freelance writer living in Mexico with her 3 cats and 1 Mexican fiancé. She loves to explore new countries, meet foreign felines and work on her blog with the help of Homer the Freelance Cat. Visit her website for writing and blogging job listings and good, sensible industry advice: The Freelancer Society

By Mandy Gardner 17 Comments

10 Great Apps and Tools for the Freelance Blogger

10 Great Apps and Tools for the Freelance Blogger

There’s nothing better than a great app or computer program that makes work quicker, easier and more fun. From a simple alarm clock to the most specialized email management software, the right app can not only keep you organized but help you enjoy your time at work.

As a freelance blogger, you’re already familiar with the most essential programs and tools of your trade: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, OneDrive, WordPress, and Grammarly. If you’re like most people, however, it’s easy to get stuck in a technological rut and stop trying out new things after a while.

You’ve got a lot on your plate as a blogger, in terms of coming up with creative ideas, meeting deadlines, and organizing your accounts, and chances are you aren’t making use of some of the best tools out there. If you’re a fan of technological assistance, the following apps and tools could help you stay on top of it all.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog Better, Get Started, Stay Sane

By Mandy Gardner 9 Comments

Saving for Retirement When You’re a Freelance Blogger

Saving for Retirement When You’re a Freelance Blogger

Congratulations! You’re a full-fledged, income-earning freelance writer. You pay your bills, feed yourself and even had some lovely business cards printed for your wallet.

Think you have it all figured out? You’re wrong…

Making ends meet from month to month is just a short-term plan – so what happens after you hit retirement age?

Ask yourself one question: “Do I want to work for the rest of my life?”

If the answer is “no,” KEEP READING!

Saving and investing is the single most important thing you need to do to prevent you from dying at your desk in old age. It’s also the only way you’ll be able to buy a home or send kids to college or university. Face it, you’re NOT going to win the lottery. Start putting money away now!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Level Up

By Mandy Gardner 13 Comments

Tax Filing Tips for Freelance Bloggers in the US, UK and Canada

Tax Filing Tips for Freelance Bloggers in the US, UK and Canada

Working for yourself is a dream come true for many, but when tax time comes I understand all too well how all the forms, schedules and receipts can become a confusing mass of nonsensical paperwork.

The truth is, when you know what kinds of invoices and financial interactions to keep track of throughout your working year, the process can not only be smooth and simple, but satisfying as well.

In this post, I am going to share three important things with you:

  1. Tax deductions that freelancers can use
  2. Tips on how to prepare for tax season and get through it in one piece
  3. Specific lists of the forms you will need to use in the US, the UK or Canada.

If you’re a freelance blogger in any country, these fundamental tips will help you to complete your tax return correctly. 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Get Paid, Guest Posts

By Mandy Gardner 21 Comments

How to Get Paid When You Blog Internationally: Cash, Cheques, Transfers and Confused Bank Tellers

How to Get Paid When You Blog Internationally: Cash, Cheques, Transfers and Confused Bank Tellers

Writers love to freelance for a number of reasons — you can choose your hours, pick your favourite topics, and wear boxers and t-shirts at least 80% of the time.

For me, this career has mostly been motivated by my two great loves: literature and travel. But it turns out the two don’t go hand-in-hand as easily as you’d hope.

Earning US dollars and UK pounds while spending Mexican pesos sounds pretty ideal, but getting that money into your hands can be an absolute nightmare.

I’m a Canadian freelance writer, currently based in Mexico. Because most of my work is done for US, UK and Canadian clients, I’ve had to juggle all kinds of payment methods to make this business work for me.

Sometimes it’s like trying to extract money from an old shoe; other times I have to barter. For example:

“Okay, I’ll agree to rework the English side of your web site, but only if you build a big carpeted cat house for me as payment!”

“Okay, deal. What colour?”

When all the moons align, getting paid on the go is the best thing in the world. If you’re in search of a solution to the international payment issue, read on for an explanation of the most commonly used payment methods. 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Get Paid, Guest Posts

By Mandy Gardner 102 Comments

9 Places to Find Blogging Job Ads That Don’t Suck

9 Places to Find Blogging Job Ads That Don’t Suck

The happy rush you feel upon deciding to be a freelance blogger can quickly be consumed by the difficulty of finding decent work.

$5 per post is not what you had in mind. You’re keen to find gigs that pay fair, but where do you start looking?

One of the biggest elements that sets freelance blogging apart from “normal” jobs is that you’ve got to actually go out there and find your own projects. You can’t just decide to be a writer one day and then sit back and watch assignments roll in — but oh, do we ever wish it were really like that!

Fortunately, there are a few great places online that post genuine ads for blogging gigs that pay more than just “exposure”. These are my go-to websites to find blogging job ads that don’t suck: 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Get Hired, Guest Posts, Top Posts

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