Nicole,

One suggestion: If you’re a freelander and making decent money as a solo entrepreneur, you ought to look at incorporating yourself. All those taxes you pay could be greatly reduced as activities you can’t deduct today become tax-deductible business expenses. In fact, an an S-corporation, you can pay yourself a salary, which should incur fewer taxes than you pay today. I’m not a tax expert, but my accountant is, and he advised me to get incorporated 17 years ago when I worked as a contractor. That has worked out pretty well. You might want to ask the person who prepares your taxes about the pros and cons of getting incorporated. It won’t cost anything — or much — to ask.