THE SUNLIGHT TAX BLOG:
Tax and Money Education for Creative People, Freelancers and Solopreneurs
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Healthcare Changes From the OBBBA: Expert Dr. Matthew Fiedler Explains
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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I talk with Dr. Matthew Fiedler about the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act—and what it could mean for your healthcare and taxes.
We break down how the government shutdown affects healthcare access, why there are major Medicaid cuts, and what trade-offs come with the new tax cuts. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by low and moderate-income individuals in accessing healthcare, especially in light of new administrative requirements and potential loss of coverage.
We also talk about what this means if you’re self-employed or run a small business. With shifting healthcare policies and tax laws, good bookkeeping and clear financial records matter more than ever.
Dr. Fiedler emphasizes the need for a more rational approach to healthcare financing and the importance of bookkeeping for self-employed individuals.
Can You Deduct That Trip? How Business Meals and Travel Deductions Really Work
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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I dive into one of the most essential tax deductions for self-employed individuals, focusing on business meals and travel expenses. If you’re a freelancer, creative professional, or small business owner, this episode will help you understand what truly qualifies as a deductible expense, so you can stay compliant and keep more of what you earn.
I break down IRS rules for business deductions, explain the documentation you need to support your write-offs, and share examples to make these concepts easy to apply. Plus, I talk about why supporting independent bookstores is so important to me and how it ties into the launch of my upcoming book, Taxes for Humans.
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.
How OBBBA Changes Medicaid, Planned Parenthood, Health Subsidies and Access for Immigrants
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In this episode of The Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m unpacking the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and what its sweeping health care changes mean for real people and families. We’ll dig into how this new legislation affects Medicaid coverage, Planned Parenthood funding, and low-income immigrants, plus what’s changing for marketplace insurance subsidies and health savings accounts (HSAs).
I’ll also share key insights from an excellent healthinsurance.org article by Louise Norris, titled “One Big Beautiful Bill Act Brings Sweeping Changes to Health Coverage.” With her permission, I’ll be reading excerpts from that piece and you can find the full article linked in the show notes. It’s a must-read if you want a deeper understanding of how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) could reshape American health care and insurance coverage in the years ahead.
OBBBA Reveals Why Tax Laws for the 1% Happen, and A Solution
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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m diving into the One Big Beautiful Act, a major tax law that passed this summer. I found a great, nonpartisan article from the Tax Policy Center Urban Institute & Brookings Institution, and with the authors’ permission, I’m going to share it with you here. It’s called “When Tax Laws Defy Public Opinion: What OBBBA Reveals.”
The piece lays out the short-term wins of this law, but also the long-term effects on things like healthcare and our social safety net. What really struck me is the gap between what people want and what lawmakers actually do—and how much wealth drives those decisions.
For me, the big lesson is that we need to frame fiscal issues in ways that connect with the public, and ultimately, push for campaign finance reform to get legislation that reflects real public priorities.
What are your money concerns?
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