Overcome the Casual Dress Delimma on the Spur of the Moment

Among the benefits of freelancing is getting to work from home and hanging up the stiff corporate suits. But as time passes, it's easy for your home-based dress code to become more and more casual. What starts as business casual quickly deteriorates to just-rolled-out-of-bed attire. There's nothing wrong with being relaxed, as long as you're also prepared for the unexpected or last-minute meeting.

Keep an extra suit and shoes on hand. Hang it on the back of the door in your home-office. Or, if you go out to run errands, take it along in the car with you. It may seem excessive when you don't use it. But the first time you receive a call for a last-minute meeting, you will appreciate having a professional set of clothes hanging around, ready and waiting.