Bill retainers before the month starts

Retainer clients should pay for the month before it starts, not 30 days after it ends.

For US consultants and agencies on monthly retainers: invoice around the 20th for next month, due by the 1st. Say on the invoice what the month covers (hours or deliverables) and what happens to unused hours.

We just published a guide on this, plus deposit invoices:

https://www.tallylark.com/blog/freelance-deposit-retainer-invoice

If a retainer invoice slips, Tallylark sends reminders 3 days before the due date, on it, and at +7 and +14, each with a pay link (card, PayPal.me, or bank). Works standalone.

14-day Pro trial. From $29/mo after. No card.

https://app.tallylark.com/signup