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Tax and Money Education for Creative People, Freelancers and Solopreneurs

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Anna Burgess Yang: Why Self-Employment May Be More Secure Than a Traditional Job

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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I sit down with Anna Burgess Yang to discuss her journey from corporate banking to solopreneurship. We explore the skills that helped her make the leap, how she approaches business decisions and financial management, and what it really means to navigate risk as a self-employed business owner. Anna also shares practical insights on freelancing and building a sustainable solo business while having effective financial planning. 

Anna Burgess Yang: Why Self Employment May Be More Secure Than A Traditional Job

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“It's stressful to work for an employer and it's stressful to work for yourself. It's just like choose your stress.” – Anna Burgess Yang 

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I sit down with Anna Burgess Yang to discuss her journey from corporate banking to solopreneurship. We explore the skills that helped her make the leap, how she approaches business decisions and financial management, and what it really means to navigate risk as a self-employed business owner. Anna also shares practical insights on freelancing and building a sustainable solo business while having effective financial planning. 

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:10 Introduction to Solopreneurship

06:01 Transitioning from Corporate to Freelance

10:25 Common Mistakes Solopreneurs Make

12:26 The Risks of Employment vs. Self-Employment

17:10 Current Economic Landscape for Freelancers

22:20 Navigating Career Pivots

28:04 Financial Management for Solopreneurs

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.

About Anna Burgess Yang:

Anna Burgess Yang is a freelance content marketer and journalist specializing in B2B SaaS and fintech. She is also a solopreneur educator focused on back-end business operations. A former corporate executive, she now writes long-form content for clients. She also maintains her own blog, newsletter, and a tutorials site. Within her content, she teaches other solopreneurs and marketers how to use AI and automation to work more efficiently.

Check Out Anna’s Work:

FREE RESOURCE: Budget Health Check

Anna’s Instagram

Anna’s LinkedIn 

Anna’s YouTube Channel

Episode Links:

Join the Workshop:Save Like a Millionaire: Using Tax-Smart Accounts

Get my Tax Help on Substack

Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions

Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed

Watch YouTube video version

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3 Brain Tricks For Expanding Attention and Handling Stress

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This week, I’m sharing my personal journey of resetting my mind and business, and the three simple brain shifts that have helped me expand my attention and handle stress in a more sustainable way. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, I walk you through practical, grounded tools you can start using right away to feel more focused and in control.

In this episode, I explore how I’m learning to manage overwhelm and embrace humility through powerful metaphors. My hope is that this conversation gives you permission to slow down and make small, meaningful changes that support a more intentional life and work.

Let’s stop imposing my idea of how things should be, how people should behave, how things should work, and let’s just look at what’s there, right?
— Hannah Cole

This week, I’m sharing my personal journey of resetting my mind and business, and the three simple brain shifts that have helped me expand my attention and handle stress in a more sustainable way. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, I walk you through practical, grounded tools you can start using right away to feel more focused and in control.

In this episode, I explore how I’m learning to manage overwhelm and embrace humility through powerful metaphors. My hope is that this conversation gives you permission to slow down and make small, meaningful changes that support a more intentional life and work.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:10 A  journey on how I’m embracing the Reset

12:08 The Power of Reading 

15:24 Building a Supportive Community

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.


Episode Links:

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The Sunlight Tax Podcast Episode 201: Amelia Hruby: How to Build a Successful Business Without Social Media

Get my Tax Help onSubstack.

Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions

Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed

Watch YouTube video version

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Taking a pause can improve mental clarity and productivity.

  • Reading more and reducing screen time enhances sleep and attention.

  • Using accountability tools like co-working sessions can reduce task avoidance.

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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

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

Watch YouTube video version

Read More

The $100K Financial Literacy Reward, and The Hidden Costs of Buy Now, Pay Later

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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

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Watch YouTube video version. 

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The One Habit That Gets You to Financial Security

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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I reveal the #1 habit that sets successful freelancers apart: consistent saving. Discover why saving is like a muscle you need to train, how small, steady contributions to retirement accounts can snowball into long-term financial security, and why waiting for the "perfect" moment to save holds you back.

I share my personal journey, real success stories from my community, and practical tips to overcome the psychological barriers that keep many creatives and freelancers from building wealth. Whether you’re just starting out or have been self-employed for years, you’ll learn how to take imperfect but powerful action toward your financial goals and harness the power of compound interest to create a more secure future.

If you’ve ever felt behind on saving, this episode will give you the motivation and strategy you need to start today.

Listen and Subscribe Here

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I reveal the #1 habit that sets successful freelancers apart: consistent saving. Discover why saving is like a muscle you need to train, how small, steady contributions to retirement accounts can snowball into long-term financial security, and why waiting for the "perfect" moment to save holds you back.

I share my personal journey, real success stories from my community, and practical tips to overcome the psychological barriers that keep many creatives and freelancers from building wealth. Whether you’re just starting out or have been self-employed for years, you’ll learn how to take imperfect but powerful action toward your financial goals and harness the power of compound interest to create a more secure future.

If you’ve ever felt behind on saving, this episode will give you the motivation and strategy you need to start today.

Also mentioned in this episode:

01:11 The Key Habit of Successful Freelancers

03:40 Overcoming Perfectionism in Saving

06:37 The Power of Consistent Savings

09:12 Building a Safety Net with Small Contributions

11:51 The Psychology of Financial Habits

14:54 Real Success Stories from the Community

18:26 The Importance of Habits Over Windfalls

21:10 Encouragement and Resources for Financial Security

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

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Watch YouTube video version

Read More

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