Being an Independent Contractor: How Much Should you Charge Per Hour?

Don's "Concentrated Guide to Being an Independent Contractor" is full of tips that we've both learned over the years that help us be successful with our freelancing businesses.  But one thing that's missing are the actual warm-fuzzy calculations that tell you you're charging the right amount of money.

To help, I found a really nice "Hourly Rate Calculator" that asks you a relatively long series of questions to help determine what your break-even and ideal hourly rate should be.  Remember that freelancing is a business, and one that is successful when it supports the lifestyle you want to live.  Calculators like this help give you a measuring stick to know when you're meeting the financial needs of that lifestyle.