The Creative Freelancer's Guide to Handling Clients Who Don't Pay Back Expenses {Ep. 92}

What should you do when clients don't reimburse you for out-of-pocket expenses? Today, we're talking about the importance of managing out-of-pocket expenses for clients to protect your financial stability and business operations. I'll share my own personal experiences of being left unreimbursed, highlight the distinction between service fees and expenses, and I offer some legal insights on setting clear boundaries and payment terms in client contracts.  Key issues include creating enforceable agreements, understanding opportunity costs, and avoiding financial risks by establishing up-front payment practices and clear consequences for nonpayment. 00:00 Free Resource for Managing Clients 01:51 Personal Story: Learning the Hard Way 03:04 Understanding the Real Cost of Fronting Expenses 04:04 Setting Boundaries and Clear Expectations 06:29 Legal Insights and Practical Tips 10:10 Final Thoughts and A Plan for You Resources Which client-pleasing pattern is holding you back? Take the Quiz! Free Interactive Guide: "12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract" >>>  Hi! I'm Sheila, your guide to a Joyful and Thriving™ creative life! I have lots of titles: attorney, social worker, coach, consultant, keynote speaker, educator. And while I'm proud of those titles, I am a human first and a title second – just like you. I want to help you reset expectations, set boundaries, and make aligned decisions, so you can streamline and focus your energy on the people, projects, and pay that actually matter to you.  Instagram: @sheilamwilkinson | LinkedIn Rate this podcast/episode on Apple Podcasts, or leave feedback here, and be sure to leave me a voice note with a question for me to answer in a future episode!