Guides and comparisons
Time Tracking Tools for Freelancers: Compared by Price and What Each Plan Includes
Toggl Track, Clockify and Harvest compared using published plan pricing (checked 2026-10-06), with a guide to which pricing model suits a solo freelancer.
Sole Proprietor vs LLC vs S-Corp: When Does Each Make Sense Financially?
A plain-English comparison of sole proprietorship, LLC and S-corp election for US freelancers, with the main tax and cost trade-offs and when to ask a professional.
Self-Employment Tax Explained With Real Numbers
What US self-employment tax is, how the 92.35% rule and Social Security cap work, and example calculations at three income levels.
Getting Paid by International Clients: What to Compare Before You Choose
A framework for comparing ways freelancers receive cross-border payments, with the published Wise receiving fees (checked 2026-10-06) and the costs that are easy to miss.
Quarterly Estimated Taxes for Freelancers: Dates, Safe Harbor and a Worked Example
When freelancers pay US estimated taxes, the IRS safe-harbor rules that avoid penalties, and a worked example of four payments.
Proposal and Contract Tools for Solo Consultants: Bonsai vs HoneyBook vs FreshBooks
Bonsai, HoneyBook and FreshBooks compared on published pricing and the proposal, contract and invoicing features each lists (checked 2026-10-06).
Budgeting on Irregular Income: A Simple System for Freelancers
A practical method for budgeting when freelance income varies: a baseline month, a buffer account, and a pay-yourself-a-salary routine, with a worked example.
How Much to Set Aside for Taxes as a Freelancer (With Calculator)
A worked example of US federal self-employment tax and income tax for freelancers, plus a calculator that gives you a set-aside percentage.
Home Office Deduction for Freelancers: Simplified vs Regular Method
The IRS requirements for the home office deduction, the simplified and regular methods compared, and a worked example for a 150 sq ft office.
FreshBooks vs QuickBooks for Solo Freelancers: Which Fits?
A comparison of FreshBooks and QuickBooks Online for solo freelancers, based on published plan pricing and feature pages checked on 2026-10-06.
Freelancer Retirement and Health Insurance Basics (US Overview)
An overview of retirement account options for freelancers (IRA, SEP IRA, solo 401(k)) and the self-employed health insurance deduction, with where to check current limits.
Business Expenses Freelancers Commonly Deduct (General Overview)
A plain-English overview of common US business expense categories for freelancers, the ordinary-and-necessary test, and record-keeping habits.
Retainer Pricing: How to Turn Project Work Into Monthly Income
How freelancers can price monthly retainers using hours, rate and a stability discount, with a worked example and what to put in the agreement.
How to Handle Late Payments (and Late Fees) Without Losing the Client
Reminder scripts, when to apply a late fee, and when to pause work, so freelancers can chase overdue invoices professionally.
Freelance Invoice Checklist: What to Include, Payment Terms and Late Fees
A practical checklist of what a freelance invoice should contain, with suggested payment terms and a late-fee clause, plus a calculator for late fees.
How to Set Your Freelance Hourly Rate: the Formula and a Calculator
The formula for a freelance hourly rate that covers taxes, expenses, unpaid time and time off, with a worked example and a calculator.
Freelance Contract Must-Haves: A Checklist (Not Legal Advice)
A checklist of clauses a freelance services contract usually covers, with plain-English notes on why each matters and when to get a lawyer.
Best Invoicing Software for Freelancers: How to Choose by Your Volume
A decision guide to picking invoicing software for freelancers based on client count, invoice volume and what else you need, using published pricing.
Do Freelancers Need Accounting Software or Is a Spreadsheet Enough?
A practical guide to when a spreadsheet is enough for freelance bookkeeping and when accounting software starts paying for itself, with published pricing.