Feeling overwhelmed by rising subscription costs? In this rewind episode of the Freelancers Tea Break, host Emma Cossey shares practical, actionable tips to help freelancers and small business owners cut down on their software expenses without sacrificing the tools that keep their businesses running.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to audit your subscriptions and assess their return on investment
• Why some of your existing tools may already do the job of others
• How to haggle with software providers for better deals
• Where to find voucher codes and cashback opportunities
• How affiliate programmes can offset your subscription costs
• Alicia, Emma's Podcast VA's, simple system for tracking and budgeting annual subscriptions so you're never caught off guard

Timestamps:

0:00 - Welcome & Introduction
2:22 - Why We're Revisiting This Topic
6:30 - The Subscription Cost Problem
3:30 - Tip 1: Review What You Actually Need
4:33 - Tip 2: Consolidate Overlapping Tools
5:18 - Tip 3: Haggle for Better Deals
6:26 - Voucher Codes & Cashback
7:13 - Use Affiliate Programmes
8:31 - Bonus: Tracking Your Subscriptions

Links from episode: Tools I Love

Emma's Podcast Editing VA: Alicia Cornell, The Admin Den and her Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and newsletter

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Email: hello@emmacossey.com

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

In this episode of The Freelancers Tea Break, host Emma Cossey shares her essential quarter two to-do list for freelancers.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What Making Tax Digital means for freelancers and how to prepare for it
• How to set up your bookkeeping systems and stay on top of your finances for the new tax year
• Why now is the perfect time to reflect on your quarter one goals
• How to set meaningful quarter two goals that go beyond just the numbers

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction
1:35 Making Tax Digital — What You Need to Know
3:14 Organising Your Receipts & Folders
4:12 Building Good Financial Habits
5:11 Reflecting on Your Q1 Goals
6:17 Setting Your Q2 Goals
8:12 Recap & Final Thoughts

Episode Links: Harriet's Making Tax Digital advice

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: hello@emmacossey.com

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

In this episode, I share my essential desk items that actually matter for freelancers, no aesthetic fluff, just practical tools that boost productivity:

• Water bottle: Stay hydrated throughout your workday
• Second screen: Reduce overwhelm and boost productivity with dual monitors
• Desk snacks: Keep trail mix, protein bars, or grapes handy to avoid blood sugar crashes
• Stream Deck: Game-changing productivity tool for creating shortcuts (even has a free mobile app to try first!)

💡 My Pro Tips:

• Prep your lunch the night before to ensure you actually stop and eat
• You don't need fancy expensive tech, I worked on Chromebooks for years
• Treat your brain like a plant: keep it fed and watered

What are YOUR desk must-haves? Drop a comment below!

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction
1:18 Number 1: Water Bottle - Stay Hydrated
2:21 Number 2: Second Screen Setup
4:05 Number 3: Desk Snacks & Lunch Tips
4:49 Number 4: Stream Deck for Shortcuts
7:28 Recap: The Four Essentials
8:50 Your Desk Must-Haves?

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: hello@emmacossey.com

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business