Money
Pricing, taxes, pay and the money conversations nobody prepared you for.
How to price brand deals when you're a small creator
What to charge when a brand asks for your rate: starting math, the extras that cost more, what to say back, and how to make sure you actually get paid.
How to build an emergency fund when you're self-employed
No paid sick days, no steady paycheck, no HR department. Here's how much self-employed people should save, where to keep it, and how to build it on uneven income.
Creator taxes 101: what to do when you get your first 1099
Got a 1099 from a platform or brand and no idea what it means? Here's how creator taxes work in the US, what you owe, what you can deduct, and how to stay ahead of it.
Retirement for the self-employed: Roth IRA vs. SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k)
No employer 401(k)? You still have great options. Here's how a Roth IRA, SEP IRA and Solo 401(k) work for creators and freelancers, and why starting early matters.
How to write an invoice that gets paid on time
What to put on an invoice, which payment terms to use, how to handle deposits and late fees, plus copy-paste follow-up emails for when a client goes quiet.
What creators can (and can't) write off
Your camera, yes. Your brunch outfit, probably not. Here's how tax deductions work for creators, from mixed-use items and home offices to meals and receipts.
How to budget when your income changes every month
Made $5,000 last month and $900 this month? Here's a simple budget system for irregular income: a baseline, a fixed salary, a buffer month and a separate tax account.
How to pay quarterly estimated taxes, step by step
Nobody's taking taxes out of your creator or freelance income, so it's on you. Here's who owes quarterly estimated taxes, how to figure the amount, and how to pay.