Artistic Finance

96: How Much To Pay To File Taxes - How Much Is Too Much?

How much do people pay to have their taxes filed? I asked my friends and share the results.
 
Topics:
⭐️ How much tax software costs
⭐️ The new IRS mobile app - IRS2Go
⭐️ How many freelancers file for themselves
⭐️ How much people pay an accountant to have taxes filed
 
We are joined by special guest Mike Farmer of 4 Wall Entertainment. He files his own taxes and explains how he does it.
 
Takeaways:
⭐️ Lots of freelancers file for themselves. You can too!
⭐️ FreeTaxUSA seems to be the lowest cost filing software
 
Poll Results:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-much-do-you-65279692?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copy_to_clipboard&utm_campaign=postshare
 
Become a patron:
https://www.patreon.com/artisticfinance
 
Free Tax USA - Low Cost Tax Filing Software:
https://www.freetaxusa.com/
 
Tax Act - Low Cost Tax Filing Software:
https://www.taxact.com/
 
Lalaj Group CPA - Ethan and Nicole’s accountant:
https://lalajcpagroup.com/
 
Trudy Durant - NYC Accountants for Artists:
https://tcdurant.com/
 
The Associates - NYC Accountants for Artists:
https://www.theassociatestax.com/
 
Turbo Tax:
https://turbotax.intuit.com/
 
H&R Block:
https://www.hrblock.com/
 
IRS2Go - The App:
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp
 
Mike Farmer - 4 Wall Entertainment:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-farmer-a0531243/
 
Sound Designer Cricket Myers on Artistic Finance:
https://www.artisticfinance.com/episode/GLxanH5BbCvfUEoPQURz
 
Actor Ariel Estrada on Artistic Finance:
https://www.artisticfinance.com/episode/m5iv7d8mH6QQwJgeYXcn/Ariel-Estrada-Actor-Producer-Arts-Activist

95: Why I’ll Never Make It with Actor Patrick Oliver Jones

Actor Patrick Oliver Jones discusses managing finances a freelancer actor for the past thirty years. 
 
Topics:
⭐️ Filing your own taxes
⭐️ The annual limits to ROTH IRAs
⭐️ The Actor’s Equity’s pension and 401k
⭐️ Opening of an LLC as an actor and creative
⭐️ Co-signing loans with your special someone
 
We also talk about:
⭐️ If Patrick turned a profit on his recent cabaret
⭐️ Patrick's unique job at the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
 
Thank you patreon Patrons for putting your money to create this content. ⭐️
 
Become a patron:
https://www.patreon.com/artisticfinance
 
Why I'll Never Make It:
https://whyillnevermakeit.com/
 
Patrick Oliver Jones:
https://www.pojones.com/
 
Patrick's HIGH INTEREST credit union:
https://www.myconsumers.org/bank/accounts/free-rewards-checking
 
Suze Orman - Financial Advice:
http://www.suzeorman.com/
 
Clark Howard - Financial Advice:
https://clark.com/
 
 

94: Financial Wellness with Rebecca Selkowe and Patrick Oliver Jones

Actor Patrick Oliver Jones interviews Rebecca Selkowe, head of the financial wellness program at The Actors Fund. Today's show is a collaboration with Patrick's podcast Why I'll Never Make It. 
 
The discussion includes:
⭐️ Good debt and bad debt
⭐️ Creating a wealth building fund 
⭐️ Budgeting with fluctuating income
⭐️ The Marie Kondo method to cut expenses
⭐️ Spending money for professional development
 
Patreon Outtakes:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/64668646
 
Unabridged Interview:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/full-interview-64669431?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copy_to_clipboard&utm_campaign=postshare
 
Patrick's Second Interview with Rebecca:
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-umy4a-d971c3?utm_campaign=w_share_ep&utm_medium=dlink&utm_source=w_share
 
The Actor's Fund - Financial Wellness:
https://actorsfund.org/services-and-programs/financial-wellness
 
Rebecca Selkowe:
https://www.rebeccaeve.com/about
 
Why I'll Never Make It:
https://whyillnevermakeit.com/
 
Patrick Oliver Jones:
https://www.pojones.com/
 
Patrick's HIGH INTEREST credit union:
https://www.myconsumers.org/bank/accounts/free-rewards-checking
Good Budget - Budget App:https://goodbudget.com/ 
 
Mint - Budget App:
https://mint.intuit.com/
 
Suze Orman - Financial Advice:
http://www.suzeorman.com/
 
Clark Howard - Financial Advice:
https://clark.com/
 

93: Caite Hevner - Projection Designer

Broadway projection designer Caite Hevner chats finances as a freelancer and owner of a design studio.
 
We discuss:
⭐️ A huge tip for anyone opening a retirement account
⭐️ Decoupling money from YOU and tying it instead to the job
⭐️ Putting design studio employees on PAYROLL instead of paying them as CONTRACTORS
 
Caite Hevner:
https://caitedesign.com/scenicdesign
 
Bret Slater Art - Full Story
https://www.patreon.com/posts/bret-slater-af-61516832?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copy_to_clipboard&utm_campaign=postshare
 
Bret Slater - Photos Only:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/bret-slater-only-64295618?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copy_to_clipboard&utm_campaign=postshare
 
Become a patron:
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
The Associates - tax accountants - Caite works with Lorraine & Doreen:
https://www.theassociatestax.com/
 
Wave - financial software for small business:
https://www.waveapps.com/
 
Gusto - financial software or small business:
https://gusto.com/
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel
 Become a patron:
www.patreon.com/artisticfinance

92: Stafford Arima - Broadway Director

Broadway director Stafford Arima joins us to discuss how he has managed his finances as a freelance director in New York City. 
 
We discuss:
⭐️ Moving from Canada to be resident director of Broadway’s Ragtime
⭐️ How much he socked away for retirement during his 20 years freelancing
⭐️ His newest job as an artistic director of Theatre Calgary which was his first full time job, which he took when he was in his late forties
⭐️ Stafford talks about his parent’s relationship with gambling and the death of his uncle that shaped his perspective on money
⭐️ The show starts with Stafford raving about his SUPERSTAR design team of Bhangin' It at La Jolla Playhouse
 
The outtakes include a chat about Allegiance on Broadway, which Stafford directed. The show starred George Takei, Lea Salonga, and Telly Leung.
 
Outtakes:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/92-stafford-64043536?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copy_to_clipboard&utm_campaign=postshare
 
Stafford’s Website:
http://www.staffordarima.com/index.html
 
Theatre Calgary:
https://theatrecalgary.com/
 
Bhangin’ It: A Bangin’ New Musical:
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/La-Jolla-Playhouse-Announces-Creative-Team-for-BHANGIN-IT-A-BANGIN-NEW-MUSICAL-20211220
 
Become a patron:
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel

91: Fossil Fuel Free Investing with Alex Wright-Gladstein

How to fight climate change using retirement funds with Alex Wright-Gladstein, creator of SPFFX, a mutual fund that mirrors the S&P 500 Index without investing in fossil fuels.
 
NOTE: None of this is financial advice nor are we financial advisors!
 
We discuss:
⭐️ Where to invest fossil-fuel-free
⭐️ SPFFX expected returns and expense ratios
⭐️ How to fight climate change using retirement funds
⭐️ How to ask your 401k provider to provide a fossil fuel free option within your retirement plan
 
Become a patron!
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Sphere: 
https://www.oursphere.org/
 
Fossil Free Funds - Non Profit by As You Sow:
https://fossilfreefunds.org/
 
How Your Retirement Fund May Be Supporting Russia's War In Ukraine:
https://medium.com/@ga1ex/how-your-retirement-fund-may-be-supporting-russias-war-in-ukraine-dabd7d5118c5
 
Is Climate Change A Touchy Subject Around Your Thanksgiving Table:
https://medium.com/@ga1ex/is-climate-change-a-touchy-subject-around-your-thanksgiving-table-here-are-some-pointers-to-help-7e21acba4341
 
Alex Wright-Gladstein on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwrightgladstein/
 
Episode with David Martin Jacques:
https://www.artisticfinance.com/episode/O3a50geiwtSl8721XTMF/Diversify-with-David-Jacques
 
Ethical Investing Episode with Chris Lose:
https://www.artisticfinance.com/episode/axDYFWfytfnYqcp5W53Q/Ethical-Investing-with-Chris-Lose
 
Elena Notkina - Russian Dancer:
https://www.artisticfinance.com/episode/WuzWj66NREiKwHKhsH0M/Elena-Notkina-Choreographer
 
Daria Vergizova - Russian Choreographer:
https://www.artisticfinance.com/episode/bzQys2Hka73gUHclofSo/-Daria-Vergizova-Choreographer
 
M1 Finance - Sign up with our affiliate link:
https://m1.com/?affiliateCode=38CySeWQVxyIR9SVoUwu6Q2UUkGThrxgE1JnxQ0&utm_source=2762113&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=10646&utm_term=38CySeWQVxyIR9SVoUwu6Q2UUkGThrxgE1JnxQ0&utm_content=Online%20Tracking%20Link&irgwc=1
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel
 

90: Lap Chi Chu - Lighting Designer

Lighting designer Lap Chi Chu discusses career finances and the importance of paying off debt early.
 
We discuss:
 
⭐️ Taxes
 
⭐️ Student loans
 
⭐️ Getting an accountant
 
⭐️ Lap’s most “lucrative” job
 
⭐️ Incorporating as a freelancer
 
⭐️ Combining finances during marriage
 
 
My takeaways were:
 
⭐️ Use an accountant
 
⭐️ Work begets work so do a GOOD JOB
 
⭐️ Lap set up a SIMPLE IRA and uses it 30 years later
 
⭐️ CONSISTENT paychecks are what make ARTS jobs "lucrative"
 
⭐️ Debt and student loans - pay off sooner EVEN if the payments are manageable
 
Lap's Website:
https://lapchichu.com/
 
The Wolves:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wolves_(play)
Like the show? Become a patron!
www.patreon.com/artisticfinance www.artisticfinance.com
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel

89: Choose the Right 401k Investments with Elena Sartor

Choosing 401k investments with stage manager turned teacher Elena Sartor. 
 
Elena just became eligible for a 401k but wasn’t sure which investments to pick. We decided to talk through all the choices. 
 
Today we will cover:
⭐️ 401ks
⭐️ ROTH 401ks
⭐️ Volatility
⭐️ Expense ratio
⭐️ Diversification
⭐️ Options for FREELANCERS
⭐️ ROTH IRA, SEP IRA, & SIMPLE IRA
 
Link to the workbook:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/61906422/
 
ROTH 401k:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/roth401k.asp
 
Importance of LOW FEES:
https://investor.vanguard.com/mutual-funds/low-cost
 
DIversification Techniques:
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/03/072303.asp
 
How much should you save for retirment?
https://smartasset.com/retirement/how-much-should-you-contribute-to-your-401k#:~:text=%E2%80%93%20Rule%20of%20Thumb,can%20while%20still%20living%20comfortably.
 
Freelancer Retirement Options:
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/091114/build-your-own-retirement-plan.asp
 
Elena's Fund Options:
MXGXX Great West Money Market Institutional
VUSTX Vanguard Long Term US Treasury Fund
VBINX Vanguard Balanced Index Inv
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund
VWUSX Vanguard US Growth Inv
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund - Admiral
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Inv
VWIGX Vanguard International Growth Inv
 
Jim Jimirro Episode:
https://www.artisticfinance.com/episode/A94CaZrPY8pTGnk6W3fJ/Creating-Disney-with-Jim-Jimirro
 
Rob Schneider Episode:
https://www.artisticfinance.com/episode/ZLJNHeZFcffHpRZHp5kp/How-To-Produce-A-Cabaret-with-Rob-Schneider
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel
 Become a patron:
www.patreon.com/artisticfinance www.artisticfinance.com
 

88: Can Anybody Beat the Market? - Q3 Update of the Artistic Finance 6k

Happy Valentine's Day! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
 
Today's show is an update on the Artistic Finance 6k--our $6,000 investment. We’ve gathered a bond investment CEO, a data analyst, and two lighting designers to compare how our investments compare to the market (aka the S&P 500).
 
We discuss:
⭐️ Wine investing
⭐️ Investing Strategy
⭐️ Investments vs bonds
⭐️ Investments vs S&P 500
⭐️ Financial gifts that say, "I love you."
 
The Artistic Finance Investment Strategy:
⭐️ Half high risk
⭐️ Half dividends
⭐️ Money that can be lost
⭐️ Picks other investors are choosing
 
Our superstar guest panel is:
 
⭐️ Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan, CEO of LidquidiFi
 
⭐️ Ebony Madry, lighting designer and project manager
 
⭐️ Katie Buhrman, a leader in data and analytics with 10+ years experience
 
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
 
Nothing says, "I love you" like becoming a patron of Artistic Finance.
 
www.patreon.com/artisticfinance
 
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
 
Our superstar guests:
 
Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan - CEO of LiquidiFi:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maithreyi-gopalakrishnan/
maithreyi@liquidificorp.com
 
Ebony Madry - Lighting Designer & Project Manager:
@ebmadry on Instagram
https://www.ebmadry.com/
 
Katie Buhrman - Data Analyst:
@ktbuhr on Instagram
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinebuhrman/
https://brokercheck.finra.org/individual/summary/6520240
 
Affiliate links:
M1 Finance - Good for Long Term / Buy and Hold Investors:
m1finance.8bxp97.net/XxYPZg
 
Coinbase - Cryptocurrency Exchange:
https://www.coinbase.com/join/steime_0
 
Vinovest - Wine Investing - 3 months of free wine storage:
https://app.vinovest.co?grsf=2p0wk3
 
Robinhood - Free Stock Trading - Intuitive and easy to use:
https://join.robinhood.com/ethans21
 
We Bull - Free Stock Trading - Design for Traders - I find it difficult to navigate:
https://act.webull.com/pm/do1QnByzkAhA/a3j/inviteUs/main
 
ETF - the S&P 500 index fund we hold:
IVV - iShares Core S&P 500
 
Stocks:
VST - Vistra Corp
LAC - Lithium Americas
TAP - Molson Coors Beverage (owners of Blue Moon)
SKLZ- Skillz
 
Cryptocurrency:
Bitcoin
 
Wine:
We own one case through Vinovest
Vinovest
 
Real Estate - REITS:
UBA - Urstadt Biddle Properties
SRG - Seritage Growth Properties
MGP -MGM Growth Properties
STAG - STAG Industrial
 
Art:
Bret Slater - Artist
https://www.bretslater.com/
 
...
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel
 Become a patron:
www.patreon.com/artisticfinance www.artisticfinance.com
 

87: Buist Bickley - Broadway Prop Supervisor

Broadway Prop Supervisor Buist Bickley explains how he has managed his personal finances throughout his career.
 
We discuss:
⭐️ Who he uses as an accountant
⭐️ The details of his retirement plan
⭐️ The importance of low overhead
⭐️ How props supervisors are hired
⭐️ What makes a good Broadway prop supervisor
 
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL! For three monthly payments of $19.99 you'll also hear us discuss:
 
⭐️ Life insurance
⭐️ What charities Buist gives to
⭐️ Financial benefits of having a partner
⭐️ How to be a prop supervisor in New York City
 
(Three payments of $19.99 are totally unnecessary. You can listen for FREE!)
 
Links from the discussion:
 
Don Robinson - Tax Accountant:
https://www.drtaxguy.com/rates
 
Net Worth Calculator - Kiplinger:
https://www.kiplinger.com/investing/wealth-management/603443/net-worth-calculator
 
Net Worth Stats - WalletHacks.com:
https://wallethacks.com/average-net-worth-by-age-americans/#:~:text=The%20median%20net%20worth%20of,66.83%25%20of%20total%20net%20worth.
 
The Bond Project:
https://bailproject.org/mission/
 
Patreon Outtakes:
https://patreon.com/artisticfinance/
 
A FANTASTIC interview with Buist on Beyond The Lights:
https://beyondthelightspodcast.com/episodes/71vyndxlkhq96ch39olbdihyjjup4u
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel
 Become a patron:
www.patreon.com/artisticfinance www.artisticfinance.com