Here’s a hard truth I wish more Americans understood: You can’t be resilient — or take advantage of an opportunity — if you’re living paycheck to paycheck. Financial stress clouds judgment and limits options.

So, building financial resilience is imperative if you’re hoping to make a living as a gig worker and enjoy the freedoms that come along with the lifestyle:

The emergency fund plus: Traditional advice says 3-6 months of expenses. Gig workers need 6-12 months because our income is less predictable. I know that sounds impossible when you’re getting started, but build it gradually — even $50 a month adds up.

Make sure you have insurance: You don’t want to get sick and find out later that you’re not covered. Be sure you understand what it will take financially to get the kind of coverage you need and plan for that expense.

Separate business and personal: I have separate accounts for business income and personal expenses. When a big project payment comes in, it doesn’t feel like a windfall to spend frivolously — it’s business money that needs to cover slow periods.