1. Jobs with Freelancers Union
2. Freelancers U Seminars: Personal Finance for Freelancers
3. Survey: Tell us about your legal services needs
4. Featured Discounts: New Aetna Dental Discount, Zipcar Upgrade, &
FreshBooks invoicing
5. New Freelancers Union Store
6. Press roundup: New York Times and New York Post
7. Raffle! Win two tickets to Brooklyn Next at BAM
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1. Jobs with Freelancers Union

Freelancers Union is hiring! We have openings for a staff accountant, desktop support, systems administrator, and PHP developer. You might be a diehard freelancer, but if you know someone who’s looking for a traditional job, point them to our new jobs page.

Also, we’re looking for a better way to find new staff. Let us know if you have ideas beyond the usual suspects (Craigslist and Idealist) by emailing us at resume@freelancersunion.org.

2. Freelancers U Seminars: Personal Finance for Freelancers

You know you have to save and invest for retirement, but are you confused by financial terms and all of your options? Does it seem impossible to save on a fluctuating income? Maybe it’s time to improve your financial literacy! Come join Freelancers Union and Galia Gichon on February 13 and March 6 to develop a financial strategy for your future. Visit our website for more information and registration.

3. Survey: Tell us about your legal services needs

One of the freelancer needs we often hear about is legal help. We’re working on a way to get pre-paid legal services for our members, but first we need you to give us the scoop! What’s your biggest headache–contracts? clients who don’t pay? liability questions? Are most of your legal concerns personal or business-related? And just how much help from a lawyer would you use? Tell us all about it in our legal services survey.

4. Featured Discounts: New Aetna Dental Discount, Zipcar Upgrade, and FreshBooks Invoicing

Freelancers Union members have access to new discounts (and if you’re getting this e-newsletter, you’re a member!). We’re now offering the “Vital Savings by Aetna” dental discount program in all 50 states. Unlike the Guardian plan, you don’t have to prove eligibility for the Aetna discount card. (Important note: this discount plan isn’t dental insurance. Learn more about dental insurance through Guardian on our website.)

Zipcar has upgraded our group, so we now get the Z2B business plan. The discounts are deeper, and they’re now available in 9 cities. (Bonus: when Zipcar and Flexcar merge, we’ll have a discount in 15 cities!)

If you’ve been thinking about getting your client billing in order for 2008, consider FreshBooks. It’s an online invoicing and billing system, and Freelancer Union members get a 30% discount on upgrades to a paid account.

5. New Freelancers Union Store

We’ve revamped the Freelancers Union store. So far, we’re offering a “1099 for Life” T-shirt, but we want your ideas for future merchandise! Send your suggestions to feedback@freelancersunion.org. The idea is to combine well-made products with catchy slogans, so that you can show your freelancer pride in style.

6. Press roundup: New York Times and New York Post

In the New York Times, Freelancers Union Executive Director Sara Horowitz commented on the growing number of freelancers moving from home offices to communal offices. The entire January 3rd article is available online.

The New York Post featured Sara’s views on the changing, more mobile workforce. She also weighed in on the significance of the Viacom permalancers’ walkout. Read the entire January 7th article online.

7. Raffle! Win two tickets to Brooklyn Next at BAM

This month, Freelancers Union members have a chance to win two tickets to Brooklyn Next, a concert that celebrates the innovation and diversity of the music coming out of this borough. On February 22, chamber rock ensemble The National will perform critically-lauded songs about desire and its aftermath with textured orchestrations, flirtatious wit, and dark beauty. For more info, visit BAM’s website.

To enter to win a pair of tickets, submit your contact information using the online entry form before Thursday, January 31.