Having owned my own businesses in PR and Social Branding for over 15 years, I haven’t really had the opportunity to work outside of the home, unless a client needs me to be THERE or I have to be at a studio…. I literally SQUEALED and said AMEN TO just about EVERY WORD, especially the various sources of income, the kids, the working when you’re sick, the working at local coffee shops…. “ALLAFIT.” About the down payment -- I encourage you to go for the full 100% upfront (unless you’re writing for a platform). You will find that most clients will give in when they see you are serious. I let mine know that with the nature of this business, it’s one way I protect myself from all clients and that it’s a policy that I have since adopted… I even share horror stories with them, while fighting my cause. It makes life so much easier to already be paid before working. I let them know they can take their time to pay me, but I have a queue and that I won’t actually start their work until I have received payment, questionnaires and all other deliverables. I offer them expedited options, too, so that if they need to gather these items but have a deadline or need to come up with the money, I won’t lose them as a client. They almost always close by the end of the week and bring new clients to my doorstep.