Unfortunately, ours is not a career often known for its big bucks (unless you are a celebrity writer/editor, in which case, please drop me a line. I do windows.)

Here are some of her tips on making the most of your salary, whatever you make:

1) Hire a Bookkeeper. As a freelancer, this is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. You will save so much time and be able to focus on getting more business.

2) Make Your Savings Automatic. Set up an automatic savings account into a money market account or mutual fund. Most freelancers are not saving enough of their income. Get it out of your checking account and into a place where it is harder to touch it - without having to think about it!

3) Clean Up Your Old 401(k). Chances are many of you have a lingering 401(k) from previous jobs. Consolidate them and roll them over into a rollover IRA at a discount brokerage firm (i.e. Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, T. Rowe Price). Streamline your investments!

4) Deal With Your Debt. Many freelancers use credit cards as a way of managing cash flow. While this sounds like a great idea, many of you find yourself with that "revolving" balance that doesn't seem to go away. When you have a month with extra income, put that extra away and then use it for those drier months. Also, STOP using your credit cards and focus on paying your balance down.

5) Shop Around For Health Insurance. Today, freelancers have many more options for health insurance than they used to. Check out Mediabistro's resources or EHealthinsurance.

6) Do a Check-up on Your Expenses. Are you still using that fancy-shmancy gym? What about those magazine subscriptions that are lying around? How about those extra cable channels that you never watch? A 6-month check-up on your expenses can clean up your checkbook and find an extra few hundred dollars every month.

7) Don't Be in Denial. Many freelancers claim that they can't deal with their finances. Well, the successful freelancers have learned how! It's not that hard, but you do have to be proactive. Take a class, read a book and hire a fee-only financial advisor. A little financial knowledge goes a long long way.