Agreed, and the above is important advice, because there is a bias on the part of potential clients. If you do not charge them for what they expect to be charge

Agreed, and the above is important advice, because there is a bias on the part of potential clients. If you do not charge them for what they expect to be charged then that makes them uncomfortable with hiring you. In other words, if your rate is lower or you give them freebies they weren't expecting, then they think you are are having trouble getting work - and what do the other potential clients passing on you know that they don't? Sometimes they think this consciously, sometimes subconsciously. In a way, it is like dating.. your potential date has to feel appreciated, but not so appreciated that you look desperate. I see this in starting consultants all the time, though usually it is as a discounted rate rather than out and out not charging for somethings. These consultants don't realize that they are telling potential customers 'I value myself at X, less valuable than my competition'. They also don't realize that once you give a customer a rate it is difficult to raise the rate later and retain the customer (it can be done, but puts stress on the relationship). My advice is to charge what you are worth. One way is to figure out how much you would be making in a corporate job, not as a self employed freelancer. Say $160k. Now, once you go self-employed you will need to pay an addition 6.2% (12.4% total) for social security on money up to $118k, 2.9% for medicare, and to be safe you should allocate 25% to health care costs (seems unreasonable, but it does add up - you can trim here to match your health, but it would be better to sock away any extra in a given year). Back of the napkin, and very roughly, that means you need to be making $261k to approach the same take home (261000-(.25 x 261000)-(.124 x 118000)(.029 x 261000)-(.05 x 261000)). Given that if you work 8 hour days (not likely), and allocated 25% to overhead, that gives 2000 hours * 75% = 1500 hours, and a rate of $174/hour. However, your overhead might be more, and there are other costs (such as liability insurance). Also, you will be better off if you charge by the week, rather than the hour, because your accounting will be much simpler. I am neither an accountant, nor a lawyer, so consider the above my personal opinion and do your own due diligence before starting down this road. It is a great road, and managed properly can be successful. Beware though, it is high stress, and will eat up your time with your family.