THE SUNLIGHT TAX BLOG:
Tax and Money Education for Creative People, Freelancers and Solopreneurs
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- the Sunlight Tax Podcast 61
Get Free Money By Using Your Retirement Accounts
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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I revisit why tax-advantaged accounts are one of the most powerful tools for self-employed individuals. I break down how these accounts can help you save more money, lower your tax bill, and build long-term financial security. I also share practical examples, real numbers, and details about my upcoming class so you can make the most of the tax benefits available to you as a freelancer or business owner.
“If there is one single habit you can have in your life to build financial security for yourself, and frankly, to get free money that’s on the table, it is to max out your tax-advantaged accounts every single year.”
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I revisit why tax-advantaged accounts are one of the most powerful tools for self-employed individuals. I break down how these accounts can help you save more money, lower your tax bill, and build long-term financial security. I also share practical examples, real numbers, and details about my upcoming class so you can make the most of the tax benefits available to you as a freelancer or business owner.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
00:10 Embracing Summer and Financial Reflection
02:50 Understanding Tax-Advantaged Accounts
06:05 Maximizing Retirement Savings with SEP IRAs
08:50 The Power of Productive Friction in Learning
11:58 The Power Triangle for Financial Growth
15:10 Strategies for Effective Tax-Advantaged Saving
17:55 Upcoming Class: Save Like A Millionaire
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:
Join the Workshop:Save Like a Millionaire: Using Tax-Smart Accounts
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
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.
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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
Episode Links:
Join the Workshop:Save Like a Millionaire: Using Tax-Smart Accounts
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
How to Tax the Rich and Studio Fundraiser
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This week on the Sunlight Tax podcast, I share why tax fairness matters and how current tax policies disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans while placing a greater burden on working people and small business owners. I break down the growing gap between wealth and taxation, explain how these policies affect everyday life, and discuss why a more equitable tax system is essential for a stronger economy and society.
I also share the story behind my latest art project – a fundraiser to rebuild my Helene-destroyed studio that doubles as what I do best: Helping you understand & spread the word about a key issue that’s complex, fact-based, and offering real solutions. With a touch of handmade vibes. And spread the word (before the midterms), and buy a hand-printed tote that helps me rebuild.
“Everyone should feel that their taxes are fair.”
This week on the Sunlight Tax podcast, I share why tax fairness matters and how current tax policies disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans while placing a greater burden on working people and small business owners. I break down the growing gap between wealth and taxation, explain how these policies affect everyday life, and discuss why a more equitable tax system is essential for a stronger economy and society.
I also share the story behind my latest art project – a fundraiser to rebuild my Helene-destroyed studio that doubles as what I do best: Helping you understand & spread the word about a key issue that’s complex, fact-based, and offering real solutions. With a touch of handmade vibes. And spread the word (before the midterms), and buy a hand-printed tote that helps me rebuild.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
00:10 Introduction and Personal Reflections
02:49 The Taxation Debate: Fairness and Advocacy
08:30 Understanding Wealth Inequality
10:09 Misdirection in Taxation
20:02 Strategies of the Wealthy
22:25 Systemic Failures in Taxation
25:27 Proposed Solutions for Tax Fairness
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:
Support me in rebuilding my studio
Ray Madoff, author ofThe Second Estate: How the Tax Code Made an American Aristocracy.
Katherine Anne Edwards, economist, and co-host of the podcast The Optimist Economy
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
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?”
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:
Take the 2-minute survey here.
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
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.
Amelia Hruby: How to Build a Successful Business Without Social Media
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This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m joined by Amelia Hruby, feminist writer and host of the Off the Grid podcast, for a conversation about building a successful business without relying on social media.
Amelia shares her personal journey away from social media dependence and explains how she created a sustainable, relationship-centered business through community, creativity, email marketing, and intentional audience growth outside the attention economy.
“The idea that you have to be on social media to have a successful business is provably false.”
This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m joined by Amelia Hruby, feminist writer and host of the Off the Grid podcast, for a conversation about building a successful business without relying on social media.
Amelia shares her personal journey away from social media dependence and explains how she created a sustainable, relationship-centered business through community, creativity, email marketing, and intentional audience growth outside the attention economy.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
00:10 Introduction to Amelia Hruby
01:24 Journey to Feminist Podcasting and Authorship
03:40 Personal Experience with Social Media
07:26 Navigating Business Without Social Media
10:17 Building Relationships Beyond Algorithms
18:24 Reframing Attention: From Scarcity to Ecology
25:29 The Art of Noticing and Attention
27:57 The Impact of Social Media on Creativity
30:30 Navigating the Challenges of Social Media
34:35 Reclaiming Attention and Relationships
38:32 Deciding to Leave Social Media
44:49 Finding Connection Beyond Social Media
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.
“Leaving social media doesn’t mean you stop marketing, it just means you do other things and figure out what works for you.”
About Amelia Hruby:
Amelia Hrubyis a feminist writer and podcaster with a PhD in philosophy from DePaul University. Over the past decade, she’s been a university professor, a community organizer, and a radio DJ. Now, she is the founder and executive producer of Softer Sounds, a podcast studio that supports women and nonbinary small business owners.
Since leaving social media in April 2021, she’s also launched the popular podcastOff the Grid, where she interviews artists, writers, business leaders and former influencers. Amelia is a platform critic, an AI skeptic, and an advocate for a non-extractive internet. Her new book, Your Attention is Sacred Except on Social Mediais out now.
Check out Amelia’s work:
Download Amelia’s FREE Leaving Social Media Toolkit
Get Amelia’s Book: Your Attention is Sacred Except on Social Media Use code SUNLIGHT for $5 off the book (paperback, ebook, or audiobook version)
Episode Links:
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
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Suggest a blog topic for Hannah here.