Marcus Vance
Chicago, Illinois
A UI designer who got laid off in 2016 and rebuilt his freelance career from nothing. Now he writes no-BS advice for solo professionals about contracts, cash flow, and staying alive in the freelance world—because he's been broke at 3 AM and lived to tell about it.
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Latest from Marcus
View all →Solo 401(k) vs. SEP-IRA: The Math Most Freelancers Get Wrong
It's March 3rd. You have 43 days to make a 2025 retirement contribution — but only if you pick the right account. Here's the math that shows how much a SEP-IRA costs you vs. a Solo 401(k).
The Client Firing Protocol: How to End a Bad Engagement Without Ending Up in Court
Bad clients cost more than their invoices. Here's the 5-step protocol to fire one cleanly — with the paperwork, the termination notice, and the clause your contract is probably missing.
$75/Hour Is Not $75/Hour: The Freelance Rate Math That Changes Everything
You invoice $3,000 and think you made $3,000. You did not. Here is the full cost breakdown and the minimum viable rate formula every solo operator needs to run.
The April 15 Double-Punch: Your Quarterly Tax Survival Guide
April 15 is two deadlines: your 2025 annual return and your Q1 2026 estimated payment. Here's the full quarterly tax system to survive both.
Quarterly Estimated Taxes: How Not to Have an April Heart Attack
Four deadlines. Two calculation methods. One system that turns the April tax crisis into a scheduled wire transfer. The complete 2026 quarterly estimated tax guide.
The S-Corp Deadline Is in 16 Days. Here's Whether You're Leaving Money on the Table.
February 27, 2026