Five More Unconventional Items I Lean On As A Freelancer

One thing I didn’t mention in Five Unconventional Items I Lean On As A Freelancer is how cool it is to be able to equip yourself for your freelance journey. While it’s true that there’s upfront money to be paid, there’s something to be said for using equipment that you own for yourself.

Outside of the tax write-offs, it feels amazing to choose your own equipment and not settle for what somebody else gave you. When I worked as an engineer, I was lucky if I got anything that was worthwhile, but I always had to make do with what I had.

Now, I get to work with equipment that meets my standards, which makes me appreciate what I have more today.

Five More Unconventional Items

Here are five more unconventional items that I use in my day-to-day operations. Some of these items are more specialized for certain tasks, but they are useful.

 

HP Prime Graphing Calculator 

When we think of calculators, it’s easy to think about our high school or college days in math classes. Back in college, I used the TI-89 Titanium for all of my engineering classes, and I thought it was one of the best calculators out there.

However, after college, I found the HP Prime on Amazon. After using it once, I’ve never wanted to use a different calculator.

Here's why:

First, this calculator is lightning-fast. I’ve run speed tests with it against TI and Casio calculators, and the competition doesn’t come close to the HP Prime. This thing is built like a computer, which Hewlett-Packard is known for anyway.

Second, this is touchscreen-enabled. It feels like a smartphone, minus the distractions. Its sleek design fits easily in my pocket and is similar in thickness to one of my smartphones. I couldn't tell you how many times I've wanted to zoom in on a graph and had to fumble with a calculator to do so.

Third, the display is gorgeous. The colors it renders in 2D and 3D graphing are astounding. It’s the only calculator on the market that can now go into dark mode.

Now that I’m done geeking out, where does this calculator come into my freelance work? It helps me in two fundamental ways.

First, I bring this calculator to all math tutoring sessions when working with students and mathematics. Using the built-in solvers, I use the calculator's computational speed to solve problems before other students do. Since it's approved in AP-level math classes, most of my students convert to the HP Prime camp when they graduate from using a scientific calculator.

Additionally, it hammers out mathematical models and analyzes small datasets on a device that enables focus. Once I'm satisfied, I take these ideas to a real computer to do the heavy lifting.

If you’re a numbers kind of guy or gal, your investment in this calculator will not disappoint!

Gerber Shard 

Something is amazing about having a multitool on you. It’s even more extraordinary when it’s on your keychain and can be used daily.

The Gerber Shard is a versatile piece of metal that can be used as a:

• Bottle opener,

• Mini-pryer,

• Phillips screwdriver,

• Flathead screwdriver,

...and more. Its usefulness makes it so that I cannot feel good leaving home without it.

I have used this multitool for more creative uses as well, such as removing staples, cleaning out gunk in my woodwind instruments, and more.

Note: If you fly anywhere, put this in your checked luggage.

M-Wave MIDI Keyboard

As a freelancer, you want reliable tools that document your ideas wherever you are. When it comes to music, having a good MIDI keyboard can make creativity more accessible, no matter where you're at.

I originally bought this MIDI keyboard, thinking it would be suitable as a Bluetooth-enabled device. Unfortunately, it did not deliver on its Bluetooth promises.

However, it’s the only mini keyboard I’ve seen with a USB-C port, reducing the number of cables I need to take with me daily.

My students enjoy hearing new beats made on the spot while they’re doing homework. Using a USB-C to USB-C cable, I simply connect to my iPad while I’m running sessions with students, and I’ll loop some beats to get them fired up and focused.

The Enerwow All-Day Charging Brick

In the previous post, I introduced a charging station that recharged my electronics throughout the day. It is a powerhouse that can charge anything from smartphones to laptops.

However, sometimes I don’t need a bulky battery. Is it possible to get the same energy from a more dense item?

Absolutely. The Enerwow Charging Brick is perfect for days when I only need to take my iPad with me. It has 50,000 mAh of juice and can charge my electronics at 30 W. On one charge, I can recharge my iPad to full capacity several times during the day.

It doubles the EngineStar Portable Battery discussed in my last post on heavier days.

iClever Folding Keyboard

This iClever Folding Keyboard has made pocket productivity possible. Sometimes, I don’t even want to take a book bag with me, so it makes up a lightweight unit alongside a folding phone stand.

This keyboard can be paired with three separate devices. I have an Android and an iPhone, and this keyboard pairs with both without issues. The trackpad is the icing on the cake for extra functionality.

Ergonomically, I feel this folding keyboard is probably one of the best you can buy. The keys are spaced out in the same way as a normal keyboard, which is sometimes a point of compromise with other keyboards.

Additionally, I can use this keyboard for two months on a single charge.

Unconventional Items Tell Great Stories

There’s a wide range of unconventional items available on Amazon and other e-commerce businesses. These items I've showcased work well for me, but there's always more gear out there that can elevate my freelance game.

Do you have any unconventional items that you use in your day-to-day operations? Leave a comment below.