The Reise Report
Updates, insights, and the math behind the tools.
Weekly dev logs, financial education posts, and the thinking behind what we build — from Mitch Reise.
The True Cost of Selling on eBay (Fee Breakdown for Resellers)
A $100 eBay sale doesn't net you $100. After final value fees, managed payments, promoted listings, and shipping, your take-home might be $82 or less. Here's the full breakdown.
April 12, 2026
The Freelance Contract Clauses That Protect Your Money
Most freelance contracts protect the client, not you. These are the clauses that shift the balance — and the exact language to use.
April 12, 2026
The 5 Quarterly Tax Mistakes Freelancers Make
Quarterly estimated taxes are confusing enough that most freelancers make at least one of these mistakes. Some cost hundreds in penalties. Here's what to watch for.
April 12, 2026
1099-NEC vs 1099-MISC: A Freelancer's Complete Guide
The IRS split one form into two in 2020. Here's what changed, what each form covers, and exactly what to do when you receive them.
April 11, 2026
Airbnb Host Tax Guide: Schedule E vs Schedule C, the 14-Day Rule, and What You Can Deduct
Renting your home on Airbnb? The tax treatment depends on how many days you rent it. Here's the 14-day rule, Schedule E vs C, depreciation, and every deduction short-term rental hosts can take.
April 11, 2026
7 Red Flags That a Client Will Cost You Money
The warning signs experienced freelancers learn to spot before signing — and the real cost of ignoring them.
April 11, 2026
The 50/30/20 Budget: Does It Actually Work for Freelancers?
The 50/30/20 rule is the most popular personal budget framework. But it was designed for salaried workers. Here's how to adapt it for variable freelance income.
April 11, 2026
The True Cost of Owning a Car (It's Not the Sticker Price)
Depreciation, insurance, maintenance, and opportunity cost add up fast. Here's how to calculate what a car actually costs you per year — and how to make a smarter buy vs. lease decision.
April 11, 2026
Is College Worth It? What the Numbers Actually Say
The earnings premium is real, but so is the debt. Here's how to calculate break-even timelines, compare trade school alternatives, and identify which degrees generate the strongest return on investment.
April 11, 2026
Exponential Growth: The Most Important Math Concept You'll Ever Learn
April 11, 2026
Compound Interest: The Boring Math That Makes People Millionaires
The secret isn't a hot stock tip. It's starting embarrassingly early and letting math do the heavy lifting. Here's the compound interest playbook every student should see.
April 11, 2026
Content Creator Tax Guide: YouTube AdSense, Brand Deals, TikTok Shop, and Sponsorships
YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or a podcast? Every income stream has a different tax treatment. Here's how to handle AdSense, brand deals, PR packages, affiliate income, and the home studio deduction.
April 11, 2026
Contractor vs Employee Misclassification: What the IRS Is Looking For
Misclassification is a federal enforcement priority. Here's how the IRS determines worker status, what the ABC test means, and the real penalties for getting it wrong.
April 11, 2026
Getting Paid in Crypto as a Freelancer: Tax Guide
Revenue Ruling 2019-24, FMV at receipt as ordinary income, capital gains on appreciation, record-keeping requirements, and Form 8949 — everything you need to know.
April 11, 2026
Crypto Taxes 2024-2025: Everything You Need to Know
Crypto is property, not currency. Every sale, trade, and even crypto-to-crypto swap is a taxable event. Here's the complete guide to capital gains, staking income, wash sales, and Form 8949.
April 11, 2026
Debt Payoff Strategies: Avalanche vs. Snowball (and Why Both Are Right)
Mathematically, avalanche wins. Psychologically, snowball wins. Here's what the research actually says, how to choose the right approach for your situation, and the hybrid method most people end up using.
April 11, 2026
The Real Cost of Minimum Payments: Why Credit Card Debt Is Designed to Trap You
April 11, 2026
Digital Services Sales Tax: What Freelancers Selling SaaS or Courses Need to Know
Post-Wayfair, states are aggressively taxing digital products. Which states tax SaaS, online courses, and digital downloads — and what you need to do about it.
April 11, 2026
eBay Reseller Taxes: Why You Probably Owe Less Than You Think
Getting a 1099-K from eBay doesn't mean you owe tax on the full amount. COGS, platform fees, and a key IRS rule mean most resellers owe far less than their gross sales suggest.
April 11, 2026
Etsy Seller Tax Guide: Fees, COGS, and the 1099-K Threshold in 2024
Selling on Etsy? Here's how to handle the 1099-K, calculate your true COGS, deduct platform fees, and file Schedule C correctly — with every deduction Etsy sellers can take.
April 11, 2026
Financial Independence Explained: The Math Behind Retiring Early
FIRE is simple math: save aggressively, invest in index funds, withdraw at 4% forever. Here's the formula, the reality check, and whether it's achievable for the average freelancer.
April 11, 2026
Your First Real Paycheck: What to Do With It (Before You Blow It)
For 18-22 year olds seeing their first real income. Here's the exact order of operations — emergency fund, retirement account, and why avoiding lifestyle inflation is the most valuable money skill you can build.
April 11, 2026
Should Your Freelance Business Be an LLC or S-Corp? A Tax-First Decision Guide
Sole prop, LLC, or S-Corp? The right structure depends on your income, not your lawyer's default answer. Here's when each entity saves money, when it doesn't, and the S-Corp break-even threshold.
April 11, 2026
How to Fire a Client (And Know When You Should)
Some clients cost you more than they pay you. Here's how to identify unprofitable client relationships and exit them without torching the relationship or your reputation.
April 11, 2026
Every Tax Deduction Freelancers Miss (2024 Guide)
Home office, mileage, health insurance, retirement, equipment, software, professional development, business meals, phone, internet — with the exact rules and dollar limits for each.
April 11, 2026
Is Your Freelance Business Actually Healthy? A 6-Dimension Checkup
Revenue is just one measure of business health. Real health means stable cash flow, the right rate, diversified clients, and protection against the inevitable slow months.
April 11, 2026
7 Things Every Freelance Invoice Needs
Most invoice disputes and late payments come down to missing information. Here's what every invoice should include — and the exact language that protects you.
April 11, 2026
The Hidden Costs Destroying Your Freelance Margins
Most freelancers calculate income by multiplying their rate by hours worked. That's the wrong number. Here's what your margins actually look like after overhead.
April 11, 2026
Why Retainers Beat Project Work (And How to Price Them)
Project work pays well per hour but creates feast-or-famine income. Retainers smooth it out — but only if you price them correctly. Here's the math.
April 11, 2026
How Much Should Freelancers Save? A Complete Breakdown
Taxes, retirement, emergency fund, business reserves — the real savings targets for 1099 workers and how to build toward them without going crazy.
April 11, 2026
The Complete Tax Guide for Online Resellers (eBay, Etsy, Poshmark)
Platform-by-platform fee breakdown, COGS explained, inventory tracking that holds up at audit, quarterly payments for resellers, and what to do when a surprise 1099-K arrives.
April 11, 2026
Home Office Deduction: Simplified vs Regular Method (And Which to Choose)
Two methods, one deduction. The simplified method is fast but capped at $1,500. The regular method takes more work but can be worth significantly more. Here's how to decide.
April 11, 2026
How AI Actually Works: A Simple Explanation
April 11, 2026
How to Set Your Freelance Rate (The Math-Backed Way)
Most freelancers set rates by guessing what the market charges. The math-backed approach starts from your income target and works backward to the number you need to charge.
April 11, 2026
The HSA: The Most Powerful Tax Account You're Probably Not Using
A Health Savings Account offers a triple tax benefit no other account can match: deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals. Here's how to use it as a stealth retirement account.
April 11, 2026
Net 30 vs Net 15: How Payment Terms Affect Your Cash Flow
The working capital math behind AR float, what net-60 is actually costing you per year, how to negotiate better terms with existing clients, and when to charge a late fee.
April 11, 2026
Lease vs Buy Equipment: The Freelancer's Decision Framework
Section 179, NPV, cash flow, and the scenarios where leasing actually wins — everything you need to make the right call on your next equipment purchase.
April 11, 2026
Remote Freelancers: Do You Owe Taxes in Multiple States?
The sourcing rules, New York and California's aggressive approach, credits for taxes paid to other states, and when you actually need to file in a second state.
April 11, 2026
How to Calculate Your Net Worth (And Why It Matters More Than Your Income)
Income tells you how fast water flows in. Net worth tells you how much water is in the tank. Here's why net worth is the metric that actually predicts financial security.
April 11, 2026
Opportunity Cost: The Hidden Price of Every Decision
April 11, 2026
Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle: A Step-by-Step Guide
April 11, 2026
The Freelancer's Guide to Quarterly Estimated Taxes
Four due dates, two safe harbor methods, and an underpayment penalty most freelancers don't know about until they owe it. Here's everything you need to know about quarterly taxes.
April 11, 2026
Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: Which One Actually Wins?
Tax now or tax later? The answer depends on your age, income, and what you think tax rates will do. Here's the math that settles the debate — and why Roth almost always wins when you're young.
April 11, 2026
When Should Freelancers Elect S-Corp Status?
The SE tax savings math, the reasonable compensation requirement, the ~$60k break-even income level, how to file Form 2553, and state-level considerations before you pull the trigger.
April 11, 2026
How to Negotiate Your Salary (Scripts, Data, and What Actually Works)
Most people accept the first offer. The ones who negotiate earn an average of $5,000 more per year — and the raise compounds for decades. Here's the research-backed playbook with real scripts.
April 11, 2026
Section 179 Deduction: How Freelancers Write Off Equipment
2024 limits, eligible property, the bonus depreciation phase-down, and real examples so you know exactly what to deduct and when.
April 11, 2026
The Benefits Self-Employed People Actually Need
W-2 employees get a benefits package built for them. Self-employed people have to build their own — and most are underinsured, underfunded for retirement, or paying too much for coverage they don't need.
April 11, 2026
Self-Employment Tax: The Complete Guide for 1099 Workers
SE tax is 15.3%—but the base is 92.35% of net income, not 100%. Here's what that means, why it works that way, and every legal way to reduce what you owe.
April 11, 2026
SEP-IRA vs Solo 401(k): The Self-Employed Retirement Guide
Contribution limits, deadlines, the Roth option, and which account wins at different income levels — everything a 1099 worker needs to choose.
April 11, 2026
How Much Should Freelancers Set Aside for Taxes?
The 25-30% rule explained, why the right percentage varies by income and state, how to automate the process, and the quarterly payment calendar so you're never caught short.
April 11, 2026
Side Hustle Taxes: What Your W-2 Job Didn't Prepare You For
Freelancing on the side of a day job changes your tax situation significantly. Marginal rate stacking, self-employment tax, quarterly estimates, and which deductions actually matter — all explained.
April 11, 2026
Does Freelancing Hurt Your Social Security Benefits?
How SS credits work for self-employed workers, what income gaps actually cost you, the AIME formula that determines your benefit, and strategies to protect your future check.
April 11, 2026
Stock Market Basics for Beginners: What You Actually Need to Know
You don't need to pick stocks or time the market. Here's what decades of research show about how regular people actually build wealth in the stock market — including why index funds beat most professionals.
April 11, 2026
W-2 vs 1099: How to Calculate Which Pays You More
A higher 1099 rate doesn't automatically mean more money. Here's the math to find your actual break-even rate and whether a contractor offer really beats your salaried job.
April 11, 2026
1099 vs W-2: The Real Tax Differences Every Contractor Needs to Know
Switching from W-2 to 1099? Your gross income means something different now. Here's what actually changes on the tax side — and what you need to earn to come out ahead.
April 10, 2026
Contractor Invoicing Best Practices That Get You Paid Faster
Late payments are a freelancer cash flow problem, not a client integrity problem — and most of it is preventable. Here's how to set up an invoicing system that actually works.
April 10, 2026
How to Raise Your Freelance Rates Without Losing Clients
Raising your rates is uncomfortable. It's also necessary. Here's when to do it, how to tell clients, and what to do with the ones who push back.
April 10, 2026
How to Price Freelance Projects Without Leaving Money on the Table
Hourly or fixed? Both strategies can work — if you understand the math behind them. Here's how to set a price floor, factor in overhead, and anchor high.
April 10, 2026
Building in Public: Week One
Why I built 50+ calculators that show their work, where this is going, and what I've learned about making tools people actually trust.
April 9, 2026
Why You Need a Separate Business Bank Account (And Which One to Get)
Mixing personal and business money is an audit red flag and pierces your LLC protection. Here's how to fix it in under an hour.
April 9, 2026
7 Contract Red Flags Every Contractor Should Know Before Signing
Most contract problems are visible before you sign. Here are the clauses that should make you pause — and what to ask for instead.
April 9, 2026
5 Tax Mistakes Every New Contractor Makes (And How to Fix Them)
From skipping quarterly payments to missing the home office deduction — here's what trips up first-year 1099 workers.
April 9, 2026
Contractor vs. Employee: What Rights You Actually Have
W-2 employees and 1099 contractors live under completely different legal frameworks — here's what that means for you in practice.
April 9, 2026
Health Insurance for Self-Employed: Your Options and the Tax Break You're Missing
1099 workers can deduct 100% of health insurance premiums. Most don't know how.
April 9, 2026
The Home Office Deduction: What Contractors Actually Qualify For
IRS rules are stricter than most freelancers realize. Here's what counts, what doesn't, and how to calculate it correctly.
April 9, 2026
How to Handle Late-Paying Clients Without Burning the Relationship
A payment is 30 days overdue. Here's the exact email sequence — and when to escalate.
April 9, 2026
Invoicing Best Practices for Freelancers: Get Paid Faster
Late payments are a cash flow problem, and most of them are caused by invoicing habits that are easy to fix.
April 9, 2026
LLC vs Sole Proprietorship: The Real Difference (It's Not What You Think)
Most freelancers form an LLC for the wrong reasons. Here's what it actually protects — and what it doesn't.
April 9, 2026
The Mileage Deduction: A Contractor's Most Underused Tax Break
At 67 cents per mile, most contractors leave $1,000+ on the table every year. Here's exactly what counts, what doesn't, and how to document it.
April 9, 2026
Can Your Idle Computer Actually Pay Your Electric Bill?
A realistic look at what ad-supported compute sharing and browser earnings can actually generate — and what it takes to hit meaningful numbers.
April 9, 2026
How to Raise Your Rates Without Losing Clients
The psychology of rate increases is predictable — here's the 90-day framework that protects relationships while protecting your income.
April 9, 2026
How to Raise Your Rates Without Losing Clients
Most clients won't leave when you raise your rates. Most contractors never raise them because they assume the opposite. Here's the framework.
April 9, 2026
Retirement Accounts for the Self-Employed: Which One Actually Wins
Solo 401k, SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Roth IRA — here's exactly how to stack them when you're your own boss.
April 9, 2026
How to Set Your Freelance Rate Without Underselling Yourself
The math behind pricing your services — accounting for taxes, benefits, downtime, and profit margin.
April 9, 2026
The Solo 401(k): Why It's the Best Retirement Account You're Probably Ignoring
You can shelter up to $69,000 per year as a self-employed contractor. Most people are leaving most of that on the table.
April 9, 2026
Home Office Tax Deductions: The Complete Guide for 1099 Contractors
Most self-employed workers leave hundreds of dollars in home office deductions on the table every year — here's what you can actually claim.
April 9, 2026
Why We Show Our Work
Most calculators give you an answer. We give you understanding.
April 9, 2026
How to Set Your Freelance Rate (Without Guessing)
Most freelancers undercharge by 40%. Here's the formula that fixes it — and how to have the rate conversation with confidence.
April 7, 2026
W-2 vs 1099: The Hidden Costs Your Offer Letter Doesn't Show
What your employer pays on top of your salary — and what a 1099 contractor needs to charge to actually match an $80k W-2 job.
April 5, 2026
Quarterly Taxes Explained: Why You Owe Them and How to Stop Getting Surprised
Got hit with a tax bill and penalties at the end of the year? Here's how the quarterly estimated tax system works and how to never be surprised again.
April 3, 2026
1099 vs W-2: The Real Math Behind the Pay Gap
A $90/hr contractor rate sounds better than a $65/hr salary — until you do the math.
April 2, 2026