He advises people with irregular income to set the lowest-earning month of the last 12 as their baseline. Save a solid portion for a rainy daySpeaking of saving, the unpredictability of gig work makes it even more important. “I generally tell people to at least save around 25% of whatever they're earning from 1099 income ,” he says. On the flip side, when you’re self-employed, there are business expenses you can claim to reduce your taxable income. For her, the ups and downs and unpredictability of gig work is worth the freedom.