Freelancing is a dream in many ways. You get to skip the daily commute, work in your pambahay, and decide how much you charge. But real talk—it’s not always picture-perfect. 

I’ve made my fair share of mistakes along the way, and I’m sharing them here, so you can skip the drama and get straight to building a sustainable freelance life.

1. Charging Too Low

Also known as: “Bargain Sale Freelancer” Syndrome

When I started freelancing, I priced myself at “budget meal” levels. I thought, “If I charge less, more clients will hire me.” And to be fair, in the beginning, that’s okay especially when you’re still learning and building experience.

But over time, I was doing more complex work, handling bigger responsibilities, and still charging the same starter rate. That mismatch? It led to burnout and resentment.

What I wish I knew sooner:
It’s okay to charge lower when you’re starting out. But as your skills grow, your rates should too.

What to do instead:

• Keep track of how your responsibilities and deliverables evolve.
• Periodically review and update your pricing.
• Learn to confidently say, “Here’s what this work is worth.”

2. Not Having a Financial Plan

The classic “Bahala Na Si Batman” method

Freelance income goes up and down. It’s part of the deal. But when you don’t plan for the dips, even one slow month can throw everything off.

What I learned the hard way:
“Wing it” is not a financial strategy. You need systems to stay afloat.

What to do instead:

• Build an emergency fund (ideally 3–6 months of expenses).
• Use a budget and track your income and spending. Let spreadsheets be your best friend.

3. Saying Yes to Every Client

Even when I didn’t have the capacity

I used to say yes to every project that landed in my inbox. I thought, “More clients, more income—why not?” But what actually happened? I burned out. I juggled too much, missed red flags, and worked myself into exhaustion. Some clients ghosted. Others pushed boundaries. And I had no energy left for the quality work I actually enjoyed.

What experience taught me:
Just because you can take on a client doesn’t mean you should. Protecting your time is part of building a sustainable freelance life.

What to do instead:

• Before you onboard, ask: What are my goals with this client? Is it short-term income, long-term partnership, or just experience?
• Learn to balance your workload. For example, one major client with fixed weekly hours (e.g. 20 hours), plus 1–2 side projects that need 5–10 hours.
• Be honest with yourself: Do you really have the bandwidth?

4. Not Setting Boundaries

Replying to emails at midnight? Guilty.

There was a time I’d answer client messages late at night and take calls on Sundays. I thought, “If I say no, they might replace me.” But instead of feeling secure, I ended up overworked and exhausted with zero time to rest or recharge.

Yes, there will be seasons when working weekends is necessary. That’s okay. Just don’t let it become your default. Scale back and rest when you can. You’re not a machine.

What I had to learn:
Healthy boundaries aren’t a luxury, they’re a necessity if you want to last in this career.

What to do instead:

• Set clear working hours and stick to them.
• Use scheduling tools to manage calls and deadlines.
• Communicate your availability from the start, and don’t feel guilty for protecting your off-hours.

5. Not Updating My Portfolio Regularly

Missed chances = missed income

There were seasons where I was so focused on doing the work that I forgot to show the work. My portfolio sat untouched while I gained new skills, finished great projects, and grew my client base. The result? I missed out on better opportunities simply because people didn’t know what I could really do.

What I realized too late:
A strong, updated portfolio isn’t just for beginners, it’s your proof of value at every stage.

What to do instead:

• Make portfolio updates part of your monthly or quarterly routine.
• Highlight results and testimonials, not just deliverables.
• If you’re under NDAs, get creative and describe the type of work and impact without naming names.

Final Thoughts: Learn the Tita Way

Freelancing has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made, but only after learning some tough lessons. If you’re just getting started (or feeling stuck), I hope these tips help you avoid the same pitfalls.

Work smart, earn smart, and live smart. Always!

Have a question or just want to connect? Feel free to send me an email or follow along on Instagram @virtualtita. Let’s talk freelancing, personal finance, or anything in between. And if you’d like tips and stories delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for the newsletter below.