Hi MBToolBox readers: I, Claire Zulkey, am back and I apologize for interrupting the fabulous postings by our guest editor, Ann Logue, who has helped out with this blog in more ways than you know. My favorite part is that she had one last post left over for this week so I had the luxury of coming home and falling asleep in a pile of dirty clothes instead of writing up a new post for the morning. Later today we return to our regularly scheduled program.

Dear Ms. McCheapster,

Victor Visacard

Dear Victor,

Yes, it does take money to make money, but that doesn't mean you should spend like a crazed Congressman. Be smart! Cheapie sits in a second-hand chair, but it's an Aeron. After all, Cheapie spends a lot of time in it. Likewise, Cheapie has both desktop and laptop computers, but the laptop makes trips to trade shows incredibly productive.

Cheapie also attends writers' conferences, pays dues to professional organizations, sends holiday presents to clients, and uses nice correspondence cards to send notes. These help generate business and enhance a professional reputation. Gimmicky mousepads, brand-name paperclips, and four-color printing of Web pages on one-sided paper that end up being filed away do not.

If a purchase enhances your productivity and your marketability, it's worth it. Freelance writers run their own businesses, and they need to invest in them. Just promise Cheapie that you'll invest wisely.

Your penny-pinching pal,

Cheapie McCheapster