3/16/2009

Finances– Eek!

The bailout. The financial crisis. The economic downturn. However you slice it, finances are fast becoming our world’s new favorite topic, so naturally— our Dialogue cast weighs in. Find out more about the life of a freelancer, tips for staying afloat and the benefits of working for “the man”, right here on Design for Mankind.

IN THIS EPISODE: PIA BIJKERK FAYTHE LEVINE LISA SOLOMON

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47 Comments

1. 
   Laura.:

   so great! so helpful! it’s like a little pep talk!

   10:42 am on Mar 16, 2009
2. 
   Bess:

   it’s great to hear from other artist and find out how they’re making things happen during this money drought. phew, i’m not alone ;)

   10:49 am on Mar 16, 2009
3. 
   Little Brown Rabbit:

   Erin that was just what I needed to hear! Thank you so much!

   11:34 am on Mar 16, 2009
4. 
   leah:

   i’m loving the videos!!

   11:35 am on Mar 16, 2009
5. 
   erin:

   yay! you’re mighty welcome– aren’t they all so wonderfuL? :)

   11:43 am on Mar 16, 2009
6. 
   Dale Anne:

   FABULOUS video!
   I have lived on a budget for the past 8 years (around $1500 a month) and get ticked at the governments bailing out all these companies who don’t know how to budget or plan for the future properly. I seriously think this recession is a time for everyone to adjust their thinking & spending habits – it has been coming for years!

   12:06 pm on Mar 16, 2009
7. 
   jess gonacha:

   oh erin, it’s amazing!!! this was so right up my alley, you were right. ;) thank you for creating this series- it’s wonderful!

   12:15 pm on Mar 16, 2009
8. 
   Victoria:

   Another wonderful Dialogue and such an important topic, thanks so much for sharing!

   12:20 pm on Mar 16, 2009
9. 
   jaime:

   Hey that is a really cool piece of artwork behind you. i wonder who made it…

   12:26 pm on Mar 16, 2009
10. 
    eva jorgensen:

    thanks for this video. i can relate so well to what these fellow self-employed creatives are talking about…and it’s nice to know that i’m not alone in this!

    12:31 pm on Mar 16, 2009
11. 
    Ez:

    Another wonderful discussion Erin! Thank you so much!
    xo
    Ez

    12:32 pm on Mar 16, 2009
12. 
    erin:

    thank you!!

    12:35 pm on Mar 16, 2009
13. 
    patricia:

    Great topic! So timely. I do the lemonade too! (sans sugar – can only do this in a restaurant though – no idea why)

    12:45 pm on Mar 16, 2009
14. 
    Katja:

    I’m loving the video series! Where do you get the time and the energy for all these great projects?! Very inspiring :)

    1:28 pm on Mar 16, 2009
15. 
    cindy k:

    this is such a great topic, erin! a freelancer’s life certainly involves juggling many projects while wearing multiple hats from artist to pr guru to bookkeeper. it definitely gives the definition of multi-tasking a whole new meaning vs. the one in the corporate world. and, post-it notes can be expensive ;).

    1:49 pm on Mar 16, 2009
16. 
    Mithi:

    Best think I’ve watched in a long time …

    2:08 pm on Mar 16, 2009
17. 
    joanna goddard:

    these videos are SO good!!!!!!!! “when you make more money, you spend more money.” that is so true. i always think that when i don’t spend a lot of money, it’s as if i’m making more. (does that makes sense?:) i love this video!

    3:39 pm on Mar 16, 2009
18. 
    simplesong:

    These videos are so great. Great/relevant topics … and so well done. And love hearing from people we see all over the blogosphere. Keep up the fab work!

    6:38 pm on Mar 16, 2009
19. 
    james saavedra:

    freakin fabulous! I adore this…such good advice

    6:43 pm on Mar 16, 2009
20. 
    ashley morgan:

    These are so fun! Keep them coming, please!

    7:26 pm on Mar 16, 2009
21. 
    ogmi:

    Its so useful to hear real stories and just to know that it’s possible to balance it all!

    5:48 am on Mar 17, 2009
22. 
    Sarah:

    This is such a great Dialogue and you’re so pretty Erin! Where did you get those fab earrings/!

    6:07 am on Mar 17, 2009
23. 
    Tanya Nichols:

    HA post it notes are ugly…
    My fav line.

    Thanks for sharing, love the show!
    Tanya

    6:12 am on Mar 17, 2009
24. 
    stephanie:

    I know I am just adding my voice to the chorus, but this was really, really great – such a huge affirmation of my own experiences with this, which is so nice to hear since everyday we hear on the news about how the financial world is falling apart in 12 new ways. I think the kind of skills you have to have to freelance – things like adaptability, budgeting, and a bit of self-denial – can help anyone make it through these days of uncertainty.

    8:31 am on Mar 17, 2009
25. 
    bekah:

    Really loved hearing these insights. Thanks for this. And yes, these chairs ARE uncomfortable! :)

    10:35 am on Mar 17, 2009

26. Pingback: ESTABLISH A DIALOGUE… « marshmallow fever

27. 
    erin:

    thank you all!!!! yes, we are indeed, not alone in this. keep your heads up. :)

    11:38 am on Mar 17, 2009
28. 
    Ariana:

    Thanks so much for posting this, It’s nice to hear others are in the same position as me. I love the poor man’s lemonade :)

    2:02 pm on Mar 17, 2009
29. 
    Esti:

    It’s great to hear this. And I agree almost word by word with Lisa. So wise and true.

    2:54 pm on Mar 17, 2009
30. 
    erin:

    isn’t she soooo smart? :)

    3:08 pm on Mar 17, 2009
31. 
    chelsea:

    This was fantastic Erin. I make my living off of a variety of gigs and I am having a blast. I also live on a very small budget but I enjoy a simple life, especially if it means I get to spend each day doing something I enjoy and helping small businesses as opposed to big business. I definitely had to have my corporate time though even after owning a small business and that was intrinsic to my journey. I loved what these girls had to say!

    3:47 pm on Mar 17, 2009
32. 
    Ana:

    Congrats, Erin!

    I´ve been a freelancer for… can´t remember, and I can´t remember either what it feels like to work for someone else. I don´t think everyone is cut to be a freelancer and the opposite is true as well: not everyone is made to work for a corporation. Health benefits – or lack of thereof – are definitely a con, but the key is to save, save, save (and buy some health insurance anyway).

    Looking forward to the next video!

    4:33 pm on Mar 17, 2009
33. 
    Aimee:

    EXCELLENT topic. i got goose bumpy when i was listening to the intro, for real! I can sooo relate to these ladies, I really like my day job and the “security” it allows me with insurance and my work friends are great.
    But I really am LOVING the community I have found with my blogging and my freelance work has been growing steadily and it’s very satisfying…we’ll see what the next year or two brings…but I found so much encouragement in this topic and the advice of the ladies that I’m quite comforted to keep on keepin’ on! Thanks so very much! Have a great week!

    4:53 pm on Mar 17, 2009
34. 
    erin:

    i know i’ve said it before, but i’m thrilled at how helpful these videos are for you— there’s just something to be said about connecting through short videos!

    5:34 pm on Mar 17, 2009
35. 
    theaxx:

    LOVED the “ugly post-its” comment Erin, you crack me up :)

    I’m completely broke & freelance, so felt I could really relate :)

    thea.
    xx

    7:08 pm on Mar 17, 2009
36. 
    caroline:

    This is wonderful. Also, I’ve always wanted to live on a boat…if it were in Europe that would be great.

    10:50 pm on Mar 17, 2009
37. 
    Lily:

    Great ideas to share this with videos… great topics… Thanks

    11:15 am on Mar 18, 2009
38. 
    Jeska:

    loved watching this! and the previous episode.

    2:38 pm on Mar 18, 2009
39. 
    Zara:

    Why does my Chinese internet connection take so long to download Vimeo videos? Argh. Still waiting to see it, but I’m sure it’ll be great :)

    9:40 pm on Mar 18, 2009
40. 
    sumaiya:

    ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! love your earrings! where you get them from?

    and great vid, work this time but my volume gone now!

    I know…it’s a never ending story!

    [crazy computer driving me insane] :)

    11:49 pm on Mar 18, 2009
41. 
    erin:

    ha, thank you! they’re from UO years ago! :)

    11:52 pm on Mar 18, 2009
42. 
    melissa de la Fuente:

    Erin! You are just a goddess my dear and all of these wonderful ladies you are getting on here to help us all out! Thank you so much and I love this series!
    xo
    Melis

    5:28 pm on Mar 23, 2009
43. 
    Jenn:

    So great and so interesting! I just watched all three episodes which I found through obsessive consumption, and I’m so glad I did! I can’t wait for the next episode!

    Keep up the great work.

    5:00 pm on Mar 24, 2009
44. 
    Get Togetha Blog:

    Another great video…will share with my readers!

    5:54 pm on Mar 24, 2009
45. 
    kim smith:

    i love it! this is such a good idea, theses videos!
    thank you so much for organizing and posting these.
    really really interesting!
    kimxo

    1:21 pm on Mar 26, 2009
46. 
    erin:

    oh i’m so glad you’re enjoying them, kim; thank you!

    2:04 pm on Mar 26, 2009
47. 
    Liane:

    erin- these videos are a great idea! i’ve gone backwards and watched all but the first one so far and this one on finances was very reassuring for me…i love the people you chose to make these with (pia is great and i’m totally on board with her (on board, get it…haha) and her philosophy. sometimes i feel a bit crazy in my lifestyle choice but then i see there are people out there like me with similar priorities and personalities and that is so reassuring. thanks!! great work.

    12:06 pm on Apr 30, 2009