Making a lot of money and building wealth are not the same thing. You can have incredible months, a fat checking account, and still feel broke. That gap between income and actual wealth is where most creators get stuck, and it's exactly what this episode addresses.

In this episode, Abby walks through the three-step foundation that turns volatile creator income into lasting wealth: first, eliminate high-interest consumer debt and build an emergency fund, then comes the part most creators skip: reverse budgeting.

The episode also tackles the questions creators actually ask: What if my expenses exceed what I'm paying myself? What do I do with a sudden influx of cash? How do I stop lifestyle creep from eating my raises? Abby's answers are practical and permission-giving, no shame, no restriction mentality, just clarity on what actually works.

If the money side of your creator business feels overwhelming, this is where to start.

Key Moments:

• Why making a lot of money and building wealth are completely different things
• The exact emergency fund amount creators need (and why it matters more when your income is volatile)
• How to determine if you should save 3 or 6 months of expenses
• The reverse budgeting method that actually works for creators with unpredictable income
• Why automating your savings is the real turning point for wealth building

Chapters:

0:00 Are You Building Wealth or Just Making Money?

3:27 Organizing Business and Personal Finances

4:09 Debt Payoff and Build an Emergency Fund

6:29 The Reverse Budgeting Strategy

7:46 How Much of Your Income Should You Save?

8:56 When You Should—and Shouldn’t—Invest

9:28 Why Automating Your Savings Matters

10:36 What If My Living Expenses Are Too High? 

11:40 What If You Don’t Have Money Left to Save?

13:05 What to Do With High-Income Months

Helpful Links:

• Monthly newsletter signup

• ⁠Visit my website⁠

• ⁠Follow on Instagram⁠

• ⁠Follow on TikTok⁠

• Follow on YouTube

  
  

Disclosure:

Investment advisory services are offered through Creator Money, a DBA of Forefront Advisor Network, an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The presence of this podcast shall not be directly or indirectly interpreted as a solicitation of investment advisory services to persons in another jurisdiction unless otherwise permitted by statute. FAN/FWP will not provide follow-up or individualized responses to consumers in a particular state when rendering personalized investment advice for compensation without first complying with jurisdiction requirements or pursuant to an applicable state exemption. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant, or legal counsel before implementation. Investing in securities involves risks, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.

If you’re making money as a creator, at some point you’ve probably wondered: Do I need an LLC? When should I set one up? And what happens if my business grows, I move states, or I start another business?

In this episode of The Creator Money Show, Abby is joined by Tommy Thorburgh, President of Prime Corporate Services, to break down the LLC and business formation questions creators ask most.

They talk about when it makes sense to form an LLC, why separating business and personal finances matters, how an LLC can evolve into an S corporation for tax purposes, and what creators should think about if they move to another state. They also cover foreign entity filings, whether you may need multiple LLCs for different businesses, and why the right setup depends on your income, liability, location, and long-term goals.

If you’ve ever felt like you accidentally became a business owner and no one explained how to structure it correctly, this episode will help you understand what to consider and what questions to ask before setting up or changing your business.

Key Moments:

• Three things to think about when creating an LLC: privacy, tax benefits, and credibility

• Why $50K is the threshold for changing your LLC to an S-corp election

• Why tracking expenses matters more in October than April

• When it makes sense to have multiple LLCs

• Why your tax strategy should match long-term financial goals

• How foreign entity filings work when creators move

Chapters

0:00 Who is Tommy Thornburgh and Prime Corporate Services

04:01 What Is an LLC and Why Does It Matter?

6:49 When Should a Creator Start an LLC?

08:09 Why You Should Separate Business and Personal Money

11:59 Do You Need an LLC Before You’re Profitable?

16:19 What Happens to Your LLC If You Move States?

18:06 What Is a Foreign LLC Registration?

20:32 Should You Use LegalZoom or Hire a Professional?

23:47 Do You Need Multiple LLCs for Different Businesses?

27:01 How to Choose the Right Business Structure for Your Creator Business

Helpful Links:

• Connect with Prime for Free
• Prime on Instagram
• Monthly newsletter signup
• ⁠Visit my website⁠
• ⁠Follow on Instagram⁠
• ⁠Follow on TikTok⁠
• Follow on YouTube
• Follow on LinkedIn
  

If this episode was helpful, follow the show, share it with a creator friend, or leave a review.

Every follow, share, and review helps get this show into the hands of more creators who want to build profitable businesses and lasting wealth.

Disclosure:

Investment advisory services are offered through Creator Money, a DBA of Forefront Advisor Network, an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The presence of this podcast shall not be directly or indirectly interpreted as a solicitation of investment advisory services to persons in another jurisdiction unless otherwise permitted by statute. FAN/FWP will not provide follow-up or individualized responses to consumers in a particular state when rendering personalized investment advice for compensation without first complying with jurisdiction requirements or pursuant to an applicable state exemption. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant, or legal counsel before implementation. Investing in securities involves risks, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.

You make $70K a month but you have no idea how much is actually yours. So here's how creators actually manage unpredictable income.

Even a $70,000 month doesn't feel secure when last month you made $10,000. Your income is all over the place, and that unpredictability is exactly why you're stressed, not because you're bad with money. The problem isn't your income. It's that you don't have a system.

In this episode, Abby shows you the exact three-bucket structure she uses with her clients to turn chaotic creator revenue into predictable personal income. This isn't about budgeting or restriction. It's about creating a rule that works whether you make $1,000 or $100,000 in a month. Your business absorbs the inconsistency so your personal life doesn't have to.

You'll learn how to separate your money into operating, tax, and owner's reserve accounts, and then set percentages so every payment automatically knows where to go. No more staring at a huge bank balance wondering how much is actually yours. No more stress when a slow month hits. Just clarity.

Highlights

• The three-account system that works at any income level

• How to calculate the right percentages for your specific situation

• Why knowing your monthly business expenses changes everything

• How to pay yourself a consistent personal paycheck from unpredictable revenue

• The buffer strategy that gives you peace of mind

Chapters:

0:00  Why More Money Feels Stressful

2:42  The Three-Account System

3:22  Setting Up Your Bank Accounts

4:33  How to Divide Every Payment

7:03  Determining Your Operating Expenses

9:03  Building Your Operating Buffer

11:18  Creating Your Consistent Paycheck

13:43  Making Every Dollar Count

Disclosure:

Investment advisory services are offered through Creator Money, a DBA of Forefront Advisor Network, an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The presence of this podcast shall not be directly or indirectly interpreted as a solicitation of investment advisory services to persons in another jurisdiction unless otherwise permitted by statute. FAN/FWP will not provide follow-up or individualized responses to consumers in a particular state when rendering personalized investment advice for compensation without first complying with jurisdiction requirements or pursuant to an applicable state exemption. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant, or legal counsel before implementation. Investing in securities involves risks, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.

You land a brand deal. You see the dollar amount. You sign. But what you didn't read could cost you thousands or lock you into a contract that gives away your rights for years.

Frank Poe, founder of Poe Law, has negotiated deals on both sides of the creator economy: brands, managers, agencies, and creators. In this episode, he breaks down the REVV framework — a four-part system to evaluate any brand deal before you sign. We're talking about what "rights" actually mean, why visibility matters as much as the payment terms, and the difference between an agent and a manager (spoiler: most creators don't know the difference, and it costs them).

You'll also hear why feeding your contracts into AI is a mistake, how to talk to an attorney before you desperately need one, and why the creator economy, unlike traditional entertainment, is uniquely positioned to empower creators who want autonomy, flexibility, and real wealth-building. 

Highlights

• The REVV framework: Rights, Expectations, Value, Visibility — how to evaluate every brand deal

• The hidden value creators provide, and why most don't realize what they're worth

• Why the creator economy is better for women entrepreneurs than traditional industries

• Why you should never use AI to review contracts (and what you risk when you do)

• Agent vs. Manager: the difference nobody explains, and why it matters for your income

• How to build relationships with lawyers and accountants before you need them

Chapters:

00:00 — Meet Frank Poe: A Lawyer for the Creator Economy

05:26 — How the Creator Economy Is Changing Traditional Business for Women

11:54 — The 4 Things Creators Should Look for in Every Contract

15:36 — Rights: Who Can Use Your Content and for How Long?

18:25 — Expectations: Confidentiality, Morality Clauses & Exclusivity

19:35 — Value: Your Brand Deal Is Worth More Than the Paycheck

22:04 — When Should a Creator Hire a Lawyer?

25:22 — Should You Use AI to Review Creator Contracts?

28:19 — Build Your Professional Team Before You Need It

34:59 — Talent Agent vs. Manager: What’s the Difference?

40:39 — Where to Find Frank + The REV Model Book

Helpful Links:

• Poe Law
• Frank’s LinkedIn
• Monthly newsletter signup
• ⁠Visit my website⁠
• ⁠Follow on Instagram⁠
• ⁠Follow on TikTok⁠
• Follow on YouTube
• Follow on LinkedIn

April 15th might feel like the deadline, but some of the most important tax decisions need to happen long before then.

In part two of my conversation with Garrett Alexander, co-founder of Game On Financial, we break down three things creators should be doing now to make tax season easier—and potentially keep more of what they earn.

Garrett explains why consistent bookkeeping matters more than most creators realize, when it may be time to formalize your business with an LLC, and when an S Corp could start saving you thousands in self-employment taxes.

We also dig into how an S Corp actually works, why you can’t just pay yourself a tiny salary, how “reasonable compensation” affects your audit risk, and why your payroll and retirement strategy need to work together.

If your creator income is growing, this episode will help you understand the financial decisions worth making before tax season—not after it.

This is part two of my conversation with Garrett. If you missed Episode 11, go back and listen to our discussion about commonly missed creator deductions and how to know whether an expense is actually deductible.

Chapters:

02:19 — Why Bookkeeping Saves You Money

04:16 — LLC or S Corp? What Creators Need to Know

08:27 — When Should You Become an S Corp?

09:23 — How an S Corp Can Save You Thousands

13:53 — The S Corp Salary Mistake That Can Trigger an Audit

20:03 — How Accountants and Financial Advisors Work Together

25:56 — Don’t Wait Until April 15th

Key Moments:

If this episode was helpful, follow the show, share it with a creator friend, or leave a review.

Every follow, share, and review helps get this show into the hands of more creators who want to build profitable businesses and lasting wealth.

Helpful Links:

Disclosure:

Investment advisory services are offered through Creator Money, a DBA of Forefront Advisor Network, an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The presence of this podcast shall not be directly or indirectly interpreted as a solicitation of investment advisory services to persons in another jurisdiction unless otherwise permitted by statute. FAN/FWP will not provide follow-up or individualized responses to consumers in a particular state when rendering personalized investment advice for compensation without first complying with jurisdiction requirements or pursuant to an applicable state exemption. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant, or legal counsel before implementation. Investing in securities involves risks, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.

You maxed out your Roth IRA and have more money available to save; so where should your money go next?

In this episode, Abby Morton, CFP®, starts by helping creators and business owners think through what the right next step is. Retirement accounts come with valuable tax benefits, but they also come with restrictions. Before choosing an account, Abby explains what to consider, including how much money is available to save, how consistent the business income is, and whether that money may be needed before retirement.

Then, she breaks down some of the most common retirement accounts available to business owners including the SEP IRA, Solo 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, and traditional 401(k) and explains the pros, cons, savings potential, and how having employees can change the decision.

If your business is growing and there’s more money available to save beyond the Roth IRA, this episode will help you understand your options and decide what your next step should be.

Key Moments:

00:00 — You Maxed Out Your Roth IRA. Now What?

02:05 — 3 Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Account

05:32 — Your Main Retirement Plan Options

07:13 — SEP IRA: Simple With High Savings Potential

08:45 — 401(k): More Flexibility

09:42 — SIMPLE IRA: An Option for Small Teams

11:20 — Comparing the Contribution Limits

13:17 — Where to Open Your Retirement Account

14:37 — Can You Contribute to Two 401(k)s?

15:53 — Which Retirement Account Is Right for You?

If this episode was helpful, follow the show, share it with a creator friend, or leave a review.

Every follow, share, and review helps get this show into the hands of more creators who want to build profitable businesses and lasting wealth.

Helpful Links:

• Monthly newsletter signup

• ⁠Visit my website⁠

• ⁠Follow on Instagram⁠

• ⁠Follow on TikTok⁠

• Follow on LinkedIn

Disclosure:

Investment advisory services are offered through Creator Money, a DBA of Forefront Advisor Network, an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The presence of this podcast shall not be directly or indirectly interpreted as a solicitation of investment advisory services to persons in another jurisdiction unless otherwise permitted by statute. FAN/FWP will not provide follow-up or individualized responses to consumers in a particular state when rendering personalized investment advice for compensation without first complying with jurisdiction requirements or pursuant to an applicable state exemption. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant, or legal counsel before implementation. Investing in securities involves risks, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.

Most creators know to write off their camera and lights. What they’re leaving on the table though: the desk, the chair, the bookcase behind them, every software subscription, and the home office itself is costing them thousands of dollars.

Garrett Alexander from Game On Financial walks through the forgotten deductions that cost creators hundreds of dollars in taxes every year.

But there’s a line. Garrett clarifies the “ordinary and necessary” standard that separates legitimate deductions from TikTok tax myths—why a fashion creator can write off clothing but a finance creator cannot, and why a vehicle influencer’s car expense looks entirely different from a gamer’s.

Context matters. Your specific niche matters. That’s why having a professional in your corner isn’t optional; it’s the difference between leaving money on the table and keeping it.

You’ll also hear why you probably need both an accountant AND a financial advisor and when each one actually matters.

Game On Financial works with creators making $50K all the way up to multiple seven figures, and Garrett explains exactly how the relationship works, where the handoff happens, and why trying to do it all yourself costs you more than hiring the right people.

Highlights

• What it looks like to hire Game On Financial, a creator focused accounting firm

• The home office deduction creators leave off their returns (and why it’s costing them hundreds)

• Software subscriptions that count as business expenses, from Adobe to Canva to CapCut

• Why a boat, a blazer, or a vehicle might be deductible for one creator and not another

• When to hire an accountant vs. when you need a financial advisor (and why you probably need both)

Chapters

0:00   Abby & Garrett Welcome

2:09  Game On Financial: How they Help Creators

10:03  Forgotten Deductions Creators Miss

15:34  Ordinary & Necessary: Context Matters for Deductions

20:40  Accountants vs. Financial Planners: Clear Lanes

23:44  Looking Forward: When to Hire an Advisor

26:10  Where to Find Game On Financial

If this episode was helpful, follow the show, share it with a creator friend, or leave a review.

Helpful Links:

• Game On Financial Website

• Social Media: Game On Financial

• Monthly newsletter signup

• ⁠Visit my website⁠

• ⁠Follow on Instagram⁠

• ⁠Follow on TikTok⁠

• Follow on LinkedIn

Disclosure:

Investment advisory services are offered through Creator Money, a DBA of Forefront Advisor Network, an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The presence of this podcast shall not be directly or indirectly interpreted as a solicitation of investment advisory services to persons in another jurisdiction unless otherwise permitted by statute. FAN/FWP will not provide follow-up or individualized responses to consumers in a particular state when rendering personalized investment advice for compensation without first complying with jurisdiction requirements or pursuant to an applicable state exemption. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant, or legal counsel before implementation. Investing in securities involves risks, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.

Have you ever looked at how much money you made and wondered, “Where did it all go?” In this episode, Abby breaks down three reasons you may still feel broke even as your income grows.

You’ll also learn a simple three-step framework to start feeling more in control. Because making more money doesn’t automatically create wealth. What matters is what you do with it.

Key Moments:

00:00 Why More Money Still Doesn't Feel Like Enough

02:50 Reason 1: Lifestyle Creep

06:23 Reason 2: Your Money Doesn't Have a Plan

07:35 My Biggest College Money Mistake

10:06 Reason 3: Everything Really Is More Expensive

13:31 The Three Step Solution to Feeling Less Broke

14:02 Step 2: Audit Where Your Money Is Going

15:03 Step 3: Build A Structure That Creates Wealth

If this episode was helpful, follow the show, share it with a creator friend, or leave a review.

Every follow, share, and review helps get this show into the hands of more creators who want to build profitable businesses and lasting wealth.

Helpful Links:

• Readers Digest Article - Items More Expensive

• Jane and Ben Client Case Study

• Monthly newsletter signup

• ⁠Visit my website⁠

• ⁠Follow on Instagram⁠

• ⁠Follow on TikTok⁠

• Follow on LinkedIn

Disclosure:

Investment advisory services are offered through Creator Money, a DBA of Forefront Advisor Network, an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The presence of this podcast shall not be directly or indirectly interpreted as a solicitation of investment advisory services to persons in another jurisdiction unless otherwise permitted by statute. FAN/FWP will not provide follow-up or individualized responses to consumers in a particular state when rendering personalized investment advice for compensation without first complying with jurisdiction requirements or pursuant to an applicable state exemption. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant, or legal counsel before implementation. Investing in securities involves risks, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.

Getting paid shouldn’t be the hardest part of being a creator.

In this episode, Abby talks with Grace Tabib, founder of DuPay, about how creators can protect their income before, during, and after a brand partnership. Grace explains why unpaid invoices are so common in the creator economy, when to escalate a late payment, and how a professional third party can help you get paid without burning bridges.

They also discuss the contract terms creators often overlook, what every invoice should include, and why creators need to stop treating brand deals like favors. Plus, Grace shares what entrepreneurship has taught her about asking for help, working within her zone of genius, and building a business her children can be proud of.

Because doing what you love doesn’t mean letting people take advantage of you.

Key Moments:

00:00 The Contract Clause Creators Miss

01:59 Meet Grace Tabib, Co-Founder of DUPAY

04:52 Why Unpaid Invoices Are So Common for Creators

06:20 DUPAY vs. Collections Agencies

08:15 The Third Party Advocate to Get You Paid

11:55 Are Brands Intentionally Ghosting Creators?

15:02 Three Reasons Invoices Go Unpaid

16:47 Practical Tips for Creators to Protect Themselves

20:31 When Should You Escalate a Late Payment?

24:20 Your Brand Deal is Not a Favor

25:36 Grace’s Biggest Lessons as an Entrepreneur

31:09 Grace's Personal Why Behind DUPAY

35:25 Time is Your Most Valuable Asset

36:24 Special DUPAY Offer for Listeners

What is DUPAY?

DUPAY is a lawyer-built income protection platform for the Creator Economy, serving creators, freelancers, and agencies. DUPAY combines contract tools (Contract Creator and Contract Check Report), invoice generation and tracking with a "Protected by DUPAY" stamp, and unlimited unpaid invoice advocacy. DUPAY has recovered over $1M for subscribers with an 81%+ success rate, on invoices ranging from $47 to $120K, across 16 countries. DUPAY was built on a simple belief: all income is worth protecting.

Socials: @dupayme on IG, X, LI and TT

Website: www.dupayme.com

Email: [email protected]

Promo code: $10 off your first month of Tools + Protection (reg. $29/mo) with code: ABBY10

If this episode was helpful, follow the show, share it with a creator friend, or leave a review.

Every follow, share, and review helps get this show into the hands of more creators who want to build profitable businesses and lasting wealth.

Helpful Links:

• Monthly newsletter signup

• ⁠Visit my website⁠

• ⁠Follow on Instagram⁠

• ⁠Follow on TikTok⁠

• Follow on LinkedIn

Disclosure:

Investment advisory services are offered through Creator Money, a DBA of Forefront Advisor Network, an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The presence of this podcast shall not be directly or indirectly interpreted as a solicitation of investment advisory services to persons in another jurisdiction unless otherwise permitted by statute. FAN/FWP will not provide follow-up or individualized responses to consumers in a particular state when rendering personalized investment advice for compensation without first complying with jurisdiction requirements or pursuant to an applicable state exemption. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant, or legal counsel before implementation. Investing in securities involves risks, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.

Entrepreneurship can look exciting from the outside, but behind every new idea are long days, difficult decisions, financial risk, and plenty of uncertainty.

In this episode, Abby talks with Paula, founder of Wovvo, about turning a small creator community into a growing platform for UGC Creators. Paula shares what it has been like to bootstrap the business, reinvest its earnings, build technology without a traditional tech background, and keep moving forward when she does not know whether every decision will work.

They also discuss burnout, consumerism, investing, business write-offs, trusting your gut, and why building something meaningful sometimes requires being a little delusional.

Key Moments:

00:00 Meet Paula - Founder of Wovvo

06:11 How a WhatsApp Group Became Wovvo

07:32 The Birth of Wovvo and Community Building

09:54 Building Tech Without a Tech Background

11:56 Building a Business Authentically and a Little Delusional

15:45 The Side of Hustle Culture That No One Talks About

17:20 Bootstrapping Wovvvo and Future Aspirations

21:37 Reinvesting vs Paying Yourself in the Business

23:27 Needs vs. Wants and the Pressure to Consume

25:46 Replace the Shopping Dopamine with Buying Stocks

30:07 Using Business Write Offs Wisely

34:37 Building a Memorable Brand

If this episode was helpful, follow the show, share it with a creator friend, or leave a review.

Every follow, share, and review helps get this show into the hands of more creators who want to build profitable businesses and lasting wealth.

Helpful Links:

• https://wovvo.ai/
• https://www.instagram.com/thisgirlpppaula/
• Monthly newsletter signup
• ⁠Visit my website⁠
• ⁠Follow on Instagram⁠
• ⁠Follow on TikTok⁠
• Follow on LinkedIn

Disclosure:

Investment advisory services are offered through Creator Money, a DBA of Forefront Advisor Network, an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The presence of this podcast shall not be directly or indirectly interpreted as a solicitation of investment advisory services to persons in another jurisdiction unless otherwise permitted by statute. FAN/FWP will not provide follow-up or individualized responses to consumers in a particular state when rendering personalized investment advice for compensation without first complying with jurisdiction requirements or pursuant to an applicable state exemption. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant, or legal counsel before implementation. Investing in securities involves risks, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.