Seeing both sides

Being a freelancer, I charge clients money to provide them with services. But I’m also a consumer who pays businesses (including freelancers) money to get services from them.

Because of this, over the last few weeks, I’ve been acutely more aware of both sides’ interests—and how these interests conflict:

• As a consumer, I want to pay as little as possible for the services I need.
• As a freelancer, I want to charge as much as I can for the services I provide.

In other words, my getting a good deal as a customer could affect the business’ bottom line.

If the other side is a company with deep pockets, its bottom line might not get too badly hit. And so, I’m not too bothered. (Years ago, a fellow shopper in an Amazon Go store joked that it was fine if Amazon failed to detect the items I wanted to buy because “they make too much money already”.)

But what if the other side is a small business—especially a freelancer? Every dollar earned could go a longer way. And conversely, every dollar not earned could represent a bigger chunk of lost earnings.

So, while I’ll still try to get the best possible deal when buying things, I’ve made it a point to:

Work on my money mindset

I’m trying not to agonise over every dollar I spend.

For example: yes, if I hold off on buying a relatively low-value item, I might be able to save a couple of dollars when the next sale comes along. But will saving that couple of dollars really make a big deal in the long run?

Probably not, especially since I should focus on the $30,000 questions instead of the $3 ones.

And so, if I don’t feel like I have to optimise my savings down to the very cent, I’ll feel less conflicted about paying more to someone else at my expense.

Not haggle freelancers’ rates

When hiring freelancers, I don’t negotiate their rates. Even if the rates seem high, I trust there are good reasons for the freelancers to set these rates.

So, I’ll pay their asking rate. And promptly.​

(I still remember how a freelancer—of all people—once asked me to write about their friend for free, saying that their friend could recommend me to others if the opportunity came up.

In other words, I was being asked to write in exchange for potential exposure. Not even confirmed exposure! I was offended and disappointed.)

Try to earn more

Let me become real rich / So I can give it all away

(^ lines from the song “Living Louder” by The Cab. Ignore how the line before these two talks about robbing a local bank lmao)

If I earn more, I’ll have more money that I can be generous to others with.

For example, currently, when I book a ride with a ride-hailing app, I open multiple apps and book with the app that quotes the lowest rate. Pretty standard consumer behaviour.

But I’ve always thought it might be nice if I could book with the app that has the lowest rate, and then tip the driver the difference between the lowest and highest rates quoted.

I haven’t felt in a strong-enough financial position to do this yet. 🥲 That said, I know money issues are often a matter of feelings rather than logic. So, maybe, maybe, someday.

—

It feels weird to be so conscious of both sides’ interests in a transaction. As the saying goes: willing buyer, willing seller. So, as long as both sides are happy with what they’re getting, then that’s fine, right?

Probably—but only if both sides are getting a fair deal. I’m not sure whether this is always the case. And I think this is the crux of the matter that’s worth considering, whichever side we’re on for the current transaction.

More freelancer news

New: The Fractional Leadership Integration Programme (FLIP)

The Singapore government has partnered with New Zealand-based fractional leadership talent platform Fractional Directory to launch FLIP, which is a 12-month pilot programme that aims to help Singapore SMEs recruit fractional leaders.

This programme could spur demand for fractional leaders in 2026 (and beyond). So, if you’re thinking of expanding your freelance offerings, getting into fractional work could be one option.

Here are some resources to explore:

• ​The FLIP homepage​
• ​The Fractional Directory’s announcement of FLIP​
• ​What is fractional work, as explained by a fractional Chief Marketing Officer​