GeekSugar

Ikea Brada Laptop Cushion, for Cozy Time

GeekSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:00:32 PDT

I've never really been that into laptop cushions, mostly because they remind me of those padded desks I used as a kid on road trips.

They've just never seemed that comfortable - until I spotted the Brada laptop cushion on a trip to Ikea this weekend.

Its comfy half-moon shape would be ergonomic, and easier to use when you just want to sink into your couch - or, as per their staging suggestion, while chillaxin' in bed. The price for this coziness: $18.

iWant: Vegan Matt & Nat Laptop Bag

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:06:51 PDT

What is better than a stylish bag that fits your 13-inch laptop? One that is also animal- and eco-friendly. Matt & Nat's lineup of tech bags are cruelty-free with linings that are made of 100 percent recycled bottles, so you know you're doing good by mother earth while still looking fierce in the concrete jungle. The Ritual bag ($225) is especially handy for tech geeks since it stores your slim 13-inch laptops inside its cushioned walls and comes with an easy-access smartphone pocket in the back, with two pockets inside for other tech necessities. The dual-zipper detail looks ultrachic, and bonus - you can remove the straps (and your machine) to totally rock this bag as an oversize clutch, too. At this price, the Ritual is an investment, but one you can feel good about.

10 Money Moves to Make Before You Freelance

Bundle — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:15:41 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart Bundle story here on Savvy!

Freelancing can be an exciting and rewarding path for many people. You get to call the shots - accept or decline assignments, enjoy greater degree of flexibility in your schedule, and develop diversified streams of income. But there are also many things that freelancers have to worry about: health insurance, invoicing, saving for retirement, etc. Here are 10 money moves you can make to ensure that your freelance career is well-positioned for success.

Have an emergency fund

Most personal finance experts recommend 3-6 months worth of living expenses stashed away, but for freelancers, it might be more prudent to aim for a bigger, 6-9 months emergency fund. Jamie Beckman, New York-based freelance writer and author of The Frisky 30-Day Breakup Guide, saved about seven months' worth of money in an emergency fund before she took the freelance leap. "In retrospect, I'd probably recommend saving more than that just in case," said Jamie, "I was able to get a good amount of work right off the bat, so I haven't been dependent on my savings (knock on wood!), but having a healthy financial cushion buys me peace of mind. I also have a few mutual funds that I can cash out in an emergency, but I'd rather not dip into those unless my situation is dire."

Read on for more tips for freelancers.