Freelancing... the pros and cons

As most of you know... I work mornings at a small company and then freelance in the afternoons. The goal is to go full-time freelance one day.

Here's some thoughts on that. The good and bad of freelancing...

Pros:

• Working for yourself - no boss, no office hours and no office politics (unless you suffer from multiple personality disorder or are taking vast quantities of hallucinogenic drugs).
• Choosing your own projects. If you don't like it, you don't have to take it on.
• The potential to earn damn good money.
• Working at home. From your bed, if you like. With your cats and cup of Milo. Or a bottle of Jack, if that's your preference.
• No "15 days of leave" nonsense. It's all your time and you can take a holiday whenever you feel like it.
• No team-building sessions!
• Variety - the spice of life.
• All the money the client pays for the job (apart from tax) is yours.

Cons:

• Working for yourself... Nobody but you to take the blame when things go pear-shaped.
• No choice but to take all the work that comes your way - there's no set salary to rely on.
• The potential to earn absolutely nothing if you don't get work in for any given month.
• The potential to turn into an unprofessional slob because you work, eat and sleep in your bed. With your cats and Milo. Or Jack.
• Having to deal with clients outside of office hours and during "holiday" periods.
• No friendly office banter.
• No stability or routine.
• You ARE the boss, accountant, tea lady, receptionist etc.

Remind me why I'm chasing this again ;-)