Freelancing and running your own business definitely comes with plenty of perks. You can work from the sofa in your pyjamas with a cuppa in hand, trashy daytime TV in the background, and nobody is there to tell you off. You set your own hours, decide your fees, and if you fancy a random Tuesday off, you can have one. You get to make the rules. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?
Except… there’s one big downside that every freelancer I know will nod their head at: chasing invoices. Honestly, there’s nothing quite as soul-destroying as finishing a project you’ve poured hours into, sending off your invoice, and then… nothing. Silence. The same people who emailed you every ten minutes while you were working on the job suddenly vanish when it’s time to pay. Strange, that.
So, what can you do when the bills are piling up, the fridge looks empty, and your client is ignoring your emails? Here are some practical ways to handle late payments while keeping yourself afloat.
Chase Them Up
The first step is obvious but necessary: chase them. Send polite reminders, forward your invoice again, and if you can, pick up the phone. A quick call can sometimes get results faster than a string of ignored emails. If that still doesn’t work, you might need to get a little more creative. Drop them a message on LinkedIn, tag their company on social media, or look up the contact details of their manager or director. Sometimes just showing that you’re serious is enough to nudge them into paying up.
If all else fails, you may need to consider legal action. Nobody likes to go down that road, but remember: you’ve done the work, you deserve to be paid. In the UK, you actually have a legal right to charge interest on late invoices under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act. You can read about it on gov.uk. If the situation still drags on, you might need to look into a Money Claim Online through the small claims court system. It’s not fun, but sometimes it’s the only way to get what you’re owed.
Split Your Money Up
While you’re waiting for that stubborn client to cough up, take a good look at your bank balance. First, get the essentials out of the way: rent or mortgage, utilities, council tax, food, travel. Once those are covered, divide what’s left across the weeks ahead. It might not be much, but at least you’ll know exactly where you stand instead of living in blissful ignorance and finding yourself skint halfway through the month.
Live On a Budget
Now for the tricky part: making that money stretch. Living on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t have a life, it just means you need to be a bit savvier. Look out for voucher codes, two-for-one restaurant deals, and cashback offers (apps like TopCashback or Quidco can save you a surprising amount). Swap branded groceries for supermarket own labels. Little changes can make a big difference when times are lean.
Try Survey Sites
They won’t make you rich, but survey sites can give you a bit of pocket money to tide you over. They usually pay a few pence per survey, and once you hit the payout threshold, you can withdraw it. It’s not glamorous, and it’s certainly not going to replace a missed invoice, but sometimes every little really does help.
Do a Bit More Freelancing
When times are tough, one option is to look at what else you can offer. Could you take on some short-term admin work? Maybe social media management, data entry, or a quick design job? It’s also worth reaching out to past clients to see if they’ve got anything new for you. And if you’ve been meaning to pitch to new businesses but never had the time, now’s your chance.
Final Thoughts
Freelancing is brilliant for flexibility and freedom, but late payments are, unfortunately, part of the territory. The trick is not to let them derail you completely. Keep chasing what you’re owed, tighten your budget when you need to, and look for ways to bring in extra bits of income. And don’t forget, the law in the UK is on your side when it comes to late invoices. With a bit of persistence, you’ll get through the dry spells — and next time, you’ll probably think twice about working with that client again.
