The surprising cost of working freelance

Freelancers aren't given company expense accounts or credit cards to fund their trips to professional conferences. If they want to keep going to conferences, they're going to have to pay for it.

"I really think twice about going to a conference (because of the cost)," Kanarek says. "Plus, it's going to take me away from my business."

But Kanarek still finds conferences helpful. "It's nice to connect with people and get other ideas," she says.

She has cut back on conferences since her time in the corporate world. That's why she does webinars and listens to recordings of webinars when she can't listen live.

A great way to save on travel and registration fees is to volunteer at the conferences or offer to serve on a panel, says Goodman. The conference host might pay for your hotel or travel, or both.