Finance13 min read
How to Calculate Your Freelance Hourly Rate in 2026: The Formula That Actually Works
I charged $25/hour my first year and was losing money on every project. Here is the formula I wish I had from day one.
Guides
Guides & articles
Practical notes for using Vortenza calculators with cleaner assumptions.
Tax17 min read
Self-Employment Tax 2026: Complete Calculator Guide for Freelancers
What the 15.3% SE tax actually costs you, how to calculate it without spreadsheets, and the legal moves that bring it down.
Tax14 min read
1099 Tax Deductions Complete Guide for Freelancers 2026
My first freelance year I overpaid the IRS by $3,200. Here are the deductions that changed everything.
AI15 min read
ChatGPT Plus vs Claude Pro vs Gemini Advanced 2026: Which $20/Month AI Is Worth It?
I subscribed to all three for 90 days. Here is the honest comparison for writers, developers, and freelancers.
AI17 min read
OpenAI API Pricing 2026: Complete Cost Guide
Real GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, and DeepSeek API costs for 2026, plus 7 proven ways to cut your bill by 70%.
AI6 min read
How to estimate AI API costs before you ship
A practical framework for forecasting token usage, model tiers, and monthly burn.
Tax8 min read
US federal tax brackets explained simply
Marginal rates, effective tax, and what actually changes your take-home pay.
Dev5 min read
The developer's cheat sheet for unit conversions
Common conversion pitfalls and when to use exact vs. rounded values.