MSEL: Taxes

msel_hipsta

I earned more in 2012 than I ever have. My total 2012 tax bill is more than I made at my first job out of college. Actually, it’s more than I earned at my second post-college job. And while I paid quite a bit in estimated taxes last year, I still owe more. A lot more.

I am 38 years old. I haven’t had a career path like most of my friends. As I get older, my peers have started doing things like buying houses and investing money. Things that are treats to me – a meal out, a vacation somewhere that doesn’t involve family – are a part of their regular lives. As I’ve drifted slowly away from a regular job – first to consult, then to focus more on my art – I’ve started wondering if I’ll ever catch up, if I’ll ever be able to afford a house in expensive San Francisco. Or will I need to work like I did last year to be able to afford a “normal,” middle-class life? I know that reducing my consulting schedule to focus on my art means it will take years to get to the point where I can afford meals out and an annual vacation and a house. I worry that I may never catch up.

I write this because I’m trying to keep it real. We artists don’t often have honest conversations about money with each other (or with our supporters). We don’t talk about the years spent broke while we try to make it. Those of us who have become artists as a second or third career don’t always talk about finding ourselves struggling financially after having had years of success in another field.

I am not discouraged. Being temporarily broke is a sacrifice I am willing to make. But I want to be honest here. We need to talk more about struggle, not paint such a rosy picture about what it means to live a creative life. This is hard work. We need to value it by acknowledging more often – and publicly – just how much work and sacrifice we have put into creating.

 

 

 

 

15 thoughts on “MSEL: Taxes”

  1. Thank you, thank you for writing this! I am struggling to make ends meet, with a family to take care of as well and so often it seems that others paint such rosy pictures of their paths to success. I can’t help but wonder if I’m doing something wrong most of the time.

    Thanks for being so honest :)

  2. I simply want to tell you that I am just all new to weblog and absolutely liked your blog site. Probably I’m want to bookmark your website . You certainly come with very good articles and reviews. Many thanks for sharing with us your blog site.

  3. I have been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or blog posts in this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this web site. Reading this information So i¡¦m glad to show that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I such a lot indubitably will make certain to don¡¦t forget this web site and give it a look a relentless basis.

  4. There are some interesting points in time in this short article however I don?t recognize if I see all of them center to heart. There is some validity however I will take hold point of view until I check out it better. Excellent short article, thanks and we desire much more! Included in FeedBurner also

  5. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appearance. I must say that you’ve done a fantastic job with this. Also, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Firefox. Superb Blog!

  6. Hi! I realize this is kind of off-topic but I had to ask. Does building a well-established website such as yours take a lot of work? I am completely new to blogging but I do write in my journal daily. I’d like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and feelings online. Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!

  7. The following time I read a blog, I wish that it doesn’t dissatisfy me as high as this one. I imply, I recognize it was my selection to read, but I actually thought youd have something fascinating to state. All I listen to is a bunch of grumbling about something that you could take care of if you werent too active searching for focus.

  8. The following time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn’t dissatisfy me as much as this. I imply, I know it was my option to check out, however I actually believed youd have something intriguing to claim. All I listen to is a bunch of grumbling regarding something that you can take care of if you werent also hectic trying to find focus.

  9. Can I simply claim what an alleviation to discover somebody that really understands what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and also make it essential. More individuals require to read this as well as comprehend this side of the story. I cant think youre not a lot more popular since you certainly have the present.

  10. Good message. I learn something extra tough on various blogs day-to-day. It will constantly be stimulating to check out material from other writers as well as practice a little something from their store. I?d like to use some with the web content on my blog whether you don?t mind. Natually I?ll provide you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

  11. The next time I check out a blog site, I hope that it doesn’t disappoint me as high as this. I imply, I know it was my choice to check out, but I really believed youd have something fascinating to state. All I listen to is a bunch of whining regarding something that you could take care of if you werent too hectic seeking focus.

Comments are closed.

Scroll to Top