This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, we go behind the scenes with writer Tessa Fontaine as we explore the realities of building a fiction writing career. We talk about money, publishing, creative community, balancing art with financial stability, and why most authors rely on multiple income streams to keep writing.

We also discuss the deeper purpose of writing—how stories help us make sense of the world, why art matters beyond profit, and what it means to create work that truly connects. Whether you’re a writer, artist, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation is an honest look at the intersection of creativity, career, and purpose.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:10 Introduction to Tessa Fontaine’s Writing Journey

03:18 The Role of Income and Writing as a Creative Outlet

04:18 The Joy of Reading and Audiobooks for Writers

06:36 Balancing Practical Career and Artistic Spirit

11:36 Building Community and Accountability in Writing

22:34 The Fickleness of Writing Income and Artistic Freedom

27:54 The Incompatibility of Capitalism and Art

36:36 The Gift Economy and the Purpose of Art

46:06 Why Do You Write? Personal Motivations

50:40 Diverse Careers and Income Streams for Writers

54:29 Misunderstandings About the Financial Side of Writing

01:00:02 The Enduring Power of Art and Literature

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 Tessa Fontaine:

Tessa Fontaine is the author of THE ELECTRIC WOMAN: A MEMOIR IN DEATH-DEFYING ACTS (FSG 2018), a New York Times Editors’ Choice; Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick, and best book of the year by Southern Living, Refinery29, Amazon Editors’, and The New York Post.

THE RED GROVE (FSG 2024), her debut novel, was named a best book by Amazon Editors’ and People Magazine, and was currently longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize.

Other writing can be found in Outside, The New York Times, Glamour, AGNI, The Believer, People, LitHub, Creative Nonfiction, and more. Raised outside San Francisco, Tessa is a former professor and has taught in jails and prisons. She co-founded and teaches the Accountability Workshops with writer and pal Annie Hartnett, and lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her daughter, goofy dog and sassy cat.

Check Out Tessa’s Work:

Tessa’s Website

Accountability Workshops website

Instagram: @accountabilityworkshops

Episode Links:

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

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

“One of the most advantageous things that exists in the U.S. tax code is a Roth IRA for a minor.”

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m discussing the benefits of tax-advantaged savings for children, specifically focusing on a Roth IRA for kids. I explain how parents can open a custodial Roth IRA for their kids, the advantages of a Roth IRA, and the importance of teaching children about compound interest and financial literacy.

This episode also emphasizes the long-term benefits of starting early with investments and how this can empower the next generation financially.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:32 The concept of tax-advantaged savings for kids

01:02 What is a custodial Roth IRA and why it’s beneficial

01:58 How kids with summer jobs can start investing

02:53 Difference between traditional and Roth IRA explained

04:18 Advantages of Roth IRA for minors and future tax benefits

07:15 Why kids’ low income makes Roth IRA especially advantageous

08:40 Teaching kids about compound interest and investment growth

11:08 Resources for learning about compound interest and investing

13:03 Empowering the next generation with financial tools

I hope this 3-part series on investing for your kid(s) helps you understand your options. If you missed the first two, here they are:

1. Trump Accounts explainer (if your kid was born in 2025, 2026 or you’re planning for one in 2027 or 2028, please get the FREE $1000 you are entitled to)

2. 529 Plan vs Trump Accounts (you can use both).

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:

Roth vs Traditional IRA: Does it even matter?

How to fund your IRA: Pay yourself first

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

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

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I explain the key differences between Trump Accounts and 529 Plans, two tax-advantaged savings options designed to help families invest in their children’s futures.

You’ll learn who qualifies for a Trump Account, how these new custodial investment accounts work, contribution limits, tax considerations, and how they compare to traditional 529 college savings plans. I also break down the advantages and drawbacks of each option, including flexibility, eligible uses, long-term growth potential, and strategies for maximizing tax-efficient wealth building.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:00 Introduction to Trump Accounts and 529 Plans

02:00 What Are Trump Accounts? Eligibility and Benefits

04:50 Pros and Cons of Trump Accounts

09:07 Understanding 529 Plans and Their Benefits

13:01 Transferability and Investment Options in 529 Plans

17:58 Using 529 Funds for Education and Beyond

20:04 Comparing Purpose and Benefits of Both Vehicles

21:03 Final Tips and Strategic Considerations

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:

The Sunlight Tax Podcast EP159: My #1 Tip to Make Your Kid a Millionaire

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

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I break down the new Trump Accounts, a custodial savings program for children introduced in 2026. I walk through who qualifies, how these accounts work, how to open one, contribution limits, and the tax rules you need to know.

I also explore the potential advantages and drawbacks of using a Trump Account as part of a long-term savings strategy, how it compares to other options for investing in a child’s future, and what families should consider before contributing. Despite the name, these accounts are a good thing.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:10 Introduction to Trump Accounts and Their Purpose

01:28 What is a Trump Account and Its Legislative Background

02:52 Eligibility, Bonus Contributions, and Funding Limits

04:15 How to Open a Trump Account and the Election Process

07:17 Investment Strategies and Allowed Assets in Trump Accounts

09:04 How to Use the Trump Accounts and Withdrawal Rules

11:48 Who Can Open a Trump Account and Additional Flexibility

14:56 Next Steps for Building Wealth

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:

The Sunlight Tax Podcast EP159: My #1 Tip to Make Your Kid a Millionaire

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

"It may not be what you want to hear, but it's better to know it before you sink an enormous amount of time and energy and then realize that that's only one third of the project."

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I break down the 7 stages of writing a nonfiction book and share what I’ve learned from my own publishing journey. From developing a compelling book proposal and securing a publishing deal to writing, editing, launching, and marketing your book, I walk through the key steps every aspiring author should understand.

We also explore how a nonfiction book can do more than share your ideas. It can help grow your business, establish your authority, attract new opportunities, and strengthen your personal brand. Whether you’re thinking about writing your first book or are already deep in the process, this episode offers practical insights into turning your expertise into a book that creates lasting impact.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

04:56 Housekeeping and Personal Update

08:58 Differences Between Fiction and Nonfiction Publishing

10:52 The Importance of Marketing and Audience Engagement

14:59 Steps After Securing a Book Deal

18:11 Long-term Book Business Planning

19:07 Platform and Audience Building

22:03 Market Research and Audience Targeting

22:50 Financial Aspects of Writing a Book

29:09 Book Promotion and Publicity Tours

32:09 Motivations for Writing a Book

33:04 Creating a Meaningful and Impactful Book

35:00 Reader Engagement and Feedback

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:

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

Why do billionaires often pay lower tax rates than working Americans?

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I sit down with tax policy expert and professor, Ray Madoff, to explore how income, wealth, and inheritance are taxed in the United States, and why the current system often favors the ultra-wealthy.

We discuss wealth inequality, estate taxes, billionaire tax strategies, and the most promising proposals for tax reform. If you’ve ever wondered how the tax code shapes who builds wealth in America, this conversation offers a clear and accessible look at what a fairer tax system could look like.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

02:30 Background on Professor Ray Madoff and her work

05:40 How the tax system favors the wealthy

07:19 The impact of growth in stock value and tax treatment

09:02 Living off wealth, not income

10:04 Inheritance, gifts, and the lack of taxation

12:15 The estate tax and loopholes

16:20 Public perception and fairness in the tax system

17:21 How the wealthy avoid taxes: borrowing against assets

23:02 Political feasibility of tax reforms

25:46 Wealth taxes and their challenges

29:56 Legal and constitutional issues with wealth taxes

31:46 Potential benefits of well-designed tax policies

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 Professor Ray D. Madoff:

Ray D. Madoff is a professor at Boston College Law School and the cofounder and director of the Boston College Forum on Philanthropy and the Public Good. She is the author of Immortality and the Law: The Rising Power of the American Dead and lead author of The Practical Guide to Estate Planning. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The New York Review of Books, among other outlets.

Episode Links:

Professor Ray Madoff’s Book: The Second Estate: How the Tax Code Made an American Aristocracy

My FAQ page on how to Tax the Rich

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

“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 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

“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 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