THE SUNLIGHT TAX BLOG:
Tax and Money Education for Creative People, Freelancers and Solopreneurs
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January Tax Setup: Make Your Taxes a Breeze in 20 Minutes
Listen and Subscribe Here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m breaking down my most effective tax prep strategies to help creatives and entrepreneurs start the year organized, confident, and ahead of the game. I share my January setup to make your taxes a breeze. I'll give you the exact systems I recommend for simplifying tax season without overwhelm or guesswork – like tracking mileage and mileage logs, setting up a simple document filing system, knowing your 1099 requirements, and a receipt management workflow that’s easy to maintain all year long.
If you want to avoid costly tax mistakes and move through tax season smoothly, this episode gives you actionable tools you can implement right now. Whether you're self-employed, earning 1099 income, or running a creative business, you’ll walk away with a clear plan for staying compliant, reducing stress, and setting yourself up for a better money year.
Listen and Subscribe Here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m breaking down my most effective tax prep strategies to help creatives and entrepreneurs start the year organized, confident, and ahead of the game. I share my January setup to make your taxes a breeze. I'll give you the exact systems I recommend for simplifying tax season without overwhelm or guesswork – like tracking mileage and mileage logs, setting up a simple document filing system, knowing your 1099 requirements, and a receipt management workflow that’s easy to maintain all year long.
If you want to avoid costly tax mistakes and move through tax season smoothly, this episode gives you actionable tools you can implement right now. Whether you're self-employed, earning 1099 income, or running a creative business, you’ll walk away with a clear plan for staying compliant, reducing stress, and setting yourself up for a better money year.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
01:12 New Year, New Tax Strategies
03:13 Essential Tax Preparation Tips
09:44 Understanding 1099s and Deadlines
14:01 Setting Up a Business Bank Account
15:54 Organizing Receipts for Tax Season
19:28 Other Resources
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.
Links:
Get your free January Checklist
The Sunlight Tax Podcast EP4: Mileage: the best deduction you're missing
Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings
Check out my program, Money Bootcamp
Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed
Where To Put Your Money: First, Next and Last
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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I share core personal finance strategies for creative entrepreneurs, artists, and business owners. Learn the right order of operations for managing money, why an emergency fund is essential, practical debt management tips, and simple ways to start investing with low-cost index funds.
Join me today to hear some basic steps to control your finances and how you can start investing today.
Listen and Subscribe Here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I share core personal finance strategies for creative entrepreneurs, artists, and business owners. Learn the right order of operations for managing money, why an emergency fund is essential, practical debt management tips, and simple ways to start investing with low-cost index funds.
Join me today to hear some basic steps to control your finances and how you can start investing today.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
00:23 Navigating Life's Unexpected Challenges
01:19 Understanding Personal Finance Order of Operations
04:01 The Basics of Personal Finance
07:55 Debt Management Strategies
08:48 Prioritizing Savings for Retirement and Education
10:13 Investing Basics and Strategies
13:25 Empowering Financial Education and Resources
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.
Links:
Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings
Check out my program, Money Bootcamp
Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed
The $100K Financial Literacy Reward, and The Hidden Costs of Buy Now, Pay Later
Listen and Subscribe Here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I dig into the real impact of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services on spending habits and financial health. These “pay-later” plans may seem harmless, but they can quietly lead people, especially young consumers—into cycles of debt and financial stress.
I break down how BNPL changes the way we think about money, what the long-term risks are, and why financial education is one of the most effective tools for protecting yourself. Research shows that learning even the basics of personal finance can save you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.
Listen and Subscribe Here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I dig into the real impact of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services on spending habits and financial health. These “pay-later” plans may seem harmless, but they can quietly lead people, especially young consumers—into cycles of debt and financial stress.
I break down how BNPL changes the way we think about money, what the long-term risks are, and why financial education is one of the most effective tools for protecting yourself. Research shows that learning even the basics of personal finance can save you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.
Also mentioned in this episode:
02:00 Introduction to Personal Finance and Consumer Culture
04:15 The Dangers of Buy Now, Pay Later Services
06:37 The Importance of Personal Finance Education
09:49 The Value of Financial Literacy
12:28 Building Wealth Through Smart Financial Habits
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.
Links:
New York Times Article: They Got To Live A Life Of Luxury. Then Came The Fine Print 'Buy Now, Pay Later' has built a delirious new culture of consumption — and trapped users in a vortex of debt.
CNBC Article: You can put a price tag on the value of a personal finance education: $100,000
Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed.
Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook
Get your free visual guide to tax deductions
Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings
Joe Saul-Sehy of Stacking Benjamins: On Ruining His Credit & Teaching Money Skills with Humor
Listen and Subscribe Here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I sit down with Joe Saul-Sehy, host of the Stacking Benjamins Show, for a deep dive into the world of personal finance and the emotional side of money management. Joe shares insights from his journey writing a personal finance book, and we explore topics like budgeting strategies, creating financial systems that work, and learning from our biggest money mistakes.
We also discuss how mindset and emotions affect your money decisions, why community and accountability are essential for building wealth, and practical tips for artists and freelancers managing irregular income. Throughout the conversation, we highlight the importance of defining your financial goals, your core money values, and how having the right support network can help you actually achieve them.
Listen and Subscribe Here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I sit down with Joe Saul-Sehy, host of the Stacking Benjamins Show, for a deep dive into the world of personal finance and the emotional side of money management. Joe shares insights from his journey writing a personal finance book, and we explore topics like budgeting strategies, creating financial systems that work, and learning from our biggest money mistakes.
We also discuss how mindset and emotions affect your money decisions, why community and accountability are essential for building wealth, and practical tips for artists and freelancers managing irregular income. Throughout the conversation, we highlight the importance of defining your financial goals, your core money values, and how having the right support network can help you actually achieve them.
Also mentioned in this episode:
06:23 Tools for Financial Management
07:22 Learning from Financial Mistakes
13:07 Navigating Financial Challenges
24:46 The Power of Timelines in Financial Planning
26:30 Defining 'Best' in Financial Goals
33:46 The Emotional Side of Money
44:41 Creating a Sustainable Income Strategy
Takeaways
Tech tools can simplify financial management.
Budgeting is essential for financial stability.
Personal stories of financial mistakes can be motivating.
Learning from financial advisors is key to success.
The emotional side of money impacts decision-making.
Defining financial goals helps prioritize spending.
Community support is vital for financial success.
Artists and Creatives need to value their work and manage income wisely.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.
Links:
Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings
Check out my program, Money Bootcamp
Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed.
Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook
Money Cheat Sheet for the Overwhelmed
LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE HERE
Today, I’m sharing an article I wrote where I give a practical financial overview and is a personal finance cheat sheet for anyone feeling overwhelmed with their finances and taxes.
Listen to this episode to get some finance tips to help you feel more secure as an entrepreneur when it comes to your money.
LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE HERE
Today, I’m sharing an article I wrote where I give a practical financial overview and is a personal finance cheat sheet for anyone feeling overwhelmed with their finances and taxes.
Listen to this episode to get some finance tips to help you feel more secure as an entrepreneur when it comes to your money.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
02:50 Understanding the Emotional Impact of Money
06:06 Basic Steps to Avoid Financial Disaster
08:55 Debt Management Strategies
12:37 Saving and Investing for the Future
15:52 Empowerment Through Financial Knowledge
Takeaways
Understanding the order of operations in personal finance is crucial.
Money often represents self-worth and security for many individuals.
Artists may feel disconnected from traditional financial systems but must navigate them.
Basic personal finance steps are universal and can empower individuals.
Avoiding financial disaster is the first step in personal finance.
Pay off high-interest debt first to regain financial control.
Prioritize retirement savings over children's college funds.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.
Links:
My #1 Tip to Make Your Kid a Millionaire
Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed.
Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook
Get your free visual guide to tax deductions
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Suggest a blog topic for Hannah here.