<prompt> Human: Hey everyone!Ive been a huge fan of this sub and hope you guys can help me out with a problem Ive had most of my life: saving. Its always seemed like an easy concept to me, yet Im always draining my checking with seemingly frivolous purchases.BackstoryIm 18 years old...part time student at my local state school and owner of a successful video production business. I always had the hobby of video and a couple years ago I found that I was decent enough to make money doing it... The first semester of college I went full time but because my business venture has been so successful, Ive dropped down to 2 classes a week to take on more work. College tuition is about 15k full time a year of which Im paying most of in federal loans obviously it will be less per year since Im going part time now. My parents are covering my rent for me. Im mostly involved in my video production company - I make a minimum of about 30hour on the lower end and sometimes as much as over 100 an hour for certain jobs its usually around 40hr. The ProblemMy income isnt constant...some months I can pull in several thousand and some months Ill pull in about 500. Ive always been an impulsive spender with tech related stuff, especially video related gear that can help my business grow. I find that I can very easily pull the trigger to buy a piece of equipment that I think can help to make my videos look better and further differentiate myself from other competitors in my area. I have a very high end arsenal of equipment for my company but its very hard for me to think I have enough because my industry entirely rides on new technology trends and new equipment. A lot of the equipment I buy really does help me to be able to command higher rates for my services, but sometimes I feel as though I blow through my money too easily.Ive opened a business checking and savings account to help me separate my finances a bit...but with my banks mobile app it makes it too easy to transfer my money into a place where I can easily spend it. Ive found that giving about 20 of my income regularly to my dad who keeps a record of how much he has helps to create a barrier between my money and I. If Im not able to see the money, I tend to forget I even have it saved away somewhere and am much less likely to spend it.I know because of the nature of my work that I need to have a very solid savings plan in place...Im also interested in eventually opening up an index fund with Schwab when I have about 5k saved up beyond any emergency fundsgeneral savings. Id also eventually like to open a 401k but currently Im technically a freelancer since I just contract people out. Im pretty clueless how to get started with this stuff as I was a high schooler just last year.TL;DR Im an 18 year old kid with very little financial experience but I strongly need help figuring out how to save instead of spending all the time.  <response>: Not as much pf and budget related, but business related, specifically in the realm of video production.1 gear is enticing, and you are right that to some extent have the latest and greatest can help you succeed. However, dont overdo it. The reality is that you should be able to create something with a tripod and a camera. Basically, dont rely on constantly upgrading your gear. It will make your work and success dependent only on have something your competition doesnt. Of course, this will get extremely expensive, and eventually you wont be able to afford the next thing. Whereas your competition will because they took the time to learn their gear, and get good with it. There is a happy medium between new tech and learning to be proficient with what you have. Find it.2 Dont ever buy anything you cant afford business wise or personal as well I guess. If you cant pay cash for the gear, you wait until you can.3 Make sure you are legit. This means business license, fictitious business name statement, EIN, business account, insurance, etc. 3 Taxes are a bitch, plan for them. We set aside 30 of our gross income, and tend to pay something right around there each year, even with a decent amount of expenses. Plan on that, or something close to it. I cant tell you how many creatives think they are raking in the and then realize how much they owe, or ones that choose to ignore it. Have fun saying goodbye to your business, and if you are a sole proprietor, perhaps personal assets as well, if you choose to ignore this stuff. Also, pay quarterly estimated taxes, or enjoy paying fees and interest found out the hard way4 Sorta on the same note, and I know that everyone starts somewhere, but make sure you are charging appropriately. 30hr in that line of business is likely not going to cut it, and you are likely undercutting the market in a damaging way. If you are doing good work, you are worth good money. Dont let anyone make you think otherwise. And, even though it may be difficult, taking on clients that want you to work for cheap is only going to lead to headaches, resentment, continual discounts, and referrals to other clients that want a discount.5 Have a contract. Every single time you take out your camera for someone, you have a contract in place. No exceptions. Also, on that note, make sure your contract is legit and protects you.6 Never underestimate someones budget or what they can afford.7 Make sure your clients are always happy. Dont kiss up to them, but if you want to succeed in this business, you will likely need to gain a lot of work off of referrals. 8 Find an hourly rate. Dont just pull a number out of your head. Look at your expenses, 30 for taxes, how much you feel your time is worth, etc, and figure out the number.These are all off the top of my head, and maybe you dont need to hear any of them. But I started just the same as you, doing this as a hobby in high school, and 7 years later I am still doing this full time and make good money with it. A lot of this I have learned from trial and error, and would have liked if someone told me these things from the beginning. And most importantly. You started this because you loved it. Dont let doing it as a business ruin your love for it.Edit - Why does your rate vary so much? Are you shooting for other companies that pay hourly? 