UK Creative Freelancers - Allowable Expenses & Slow-Period Spending

I’m writing two articles for Sage Advice and would like to hear from UK creative freelancers about the money decisions that are harder than they look. One is about allowable expenses. Was there a purchase or business cost you weren’t sure you could claim? What confused you, and how did you work it out? The other is about spending when work goes quiet. Have you had to decide whether you could afford a new laptop, a course, software—or simply something for yourself—when you didn’t know when the next payment would arrive? What helped you decide? I’m interested in real examples: something you bought, postponed or regretted, or a habit that’s made these decisions easier. A few lines by DM would be useful; no need for a call. You don’t need to share exact earnings or anything sensitive, and I’d check any quotation and attribution with you before publication.If that sounds like you—or a freelancer you know—get in touch.