Should I keep business and personal finances separate even if I'm just a freelancer?

Absolutely, even a solo freelancer with no LLC benefits enormously from separation. Running all income and expenses through a dedicated account turns tax time from a shoebox nightmare into a simple export, makes your Schedule C match your bank statements, and gives you clean proof for every deduction if the IRS ever asks. It also clarifies whether the business is actually profitable, which mixed accounts hide. You do not need a fancy business account to start; even a second personal checking account used only for the business is a huge improvement. Add a separate credit card for business spending and you have a clean paper trail. The discipline pays off the first time you are audited or apply for a loan.