December 18, 2025

Happy Thursday, everyone!
Good morning — hope today already feels a little lighter and more in control.

Quick question: why does money feel easy some months… and chaotic the next?
If your income changes — bonuses, commissions, side income, business cash — you’re not doing anything wrong. You just need a better system.

That’s exactly what today’s post is about: making taxes predictable even when your income isn’t. Less stress, fewer surprises, more peace of mind.

Let’s make irregular income feel boring (in the best way).

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

— Peter Drucker

Beachy Head Woman may be ‘local girl from Eastbourne,’ say scientists
New analysis suggests the ancient remains known as “Beachy Head Woman” likely belonged to someone raised locally rather than from abroad. Scientists say new isotopic testing paints a clearer picture of her early life and regional origins. The finding challenges earlier theories that tied her ancestry to distant regions.

Today’s biggest science news: Ariane 6 rocket launch | Dinosaur footprints | MAVEN signal loss
A new Ariane 6 test milestone, fresh dinosaur footprint discoveries, and a communications issue with NASA’s MAVEN orbiter shaped today’s science highlights. Researchers say the fossil trackways could refine understanding of prehistoric behavior. Meanwhile, teams are working to re-establish stable contact with MAVEN after an unexpected signal interruption.

Surprise! Saturn’s huge moon Titan may not have a buried ocean after all
A new analysis of radar and gravity data suggests Titan’s interior may differ significantly from long-held expectations. Scientists had believed a global subsurface ocean was present, but updated modeling raises doubts. The findings could reshape how researchers view Titan’s evolution and its potential habitability.

Mortgage Rates Unchanged Ahead of Important Inflation Data
Mortgage rates held steady as markets await key inflation readings expected to influence expectations for early-2026 rate cuts. Lenders say borrowing demand remains muted as buyers wait for clearer signals. The next round of economic data could determine whether rates finally move lower.

CNBC Daily Open: Beauty is in the eye of the U.S. jobs report beholder
The latest U.S. employment data delivered mixed signals, leaving economists split on whether the job market is cooling or stabilizing. Wage growth continues to ease, hinting at progress on inflation. Still, uneven sector performance suggests the path forward remains uncertain.

Food prices help drive UK inflation to lowest rate in eight months
Britain’s inflation rate eased again as grocery costs registered a notable slowdown. Analysts say declining food prices helped offset higher energy and service expenses. The trend offers cautious optimism that household pressures may continue to lift heading into the new year.

Warner Bros favours Netflix offer over $108bn Paramount bid
Warner Bros is reportedly leaning toward a competing streaming partnership that would prioritize Netflix over a massive acquisition proposal involving Paramount. Leadership is said to view the strategic alignment with Netflix as more advantageous long-term. The move adds another twist to ongoing consolidation discussions across the entertainment industry.

Ray Dalio to Donate to Trump Accounts in Connecticut
A prominent billionaire investor has decided to contribute funds to political committees tied to Donald Trump. The move marks a notable shift given his historically measured public stance on U.S. politics. The decision underscores how influential financial figures are positioning themselves ahead of 2026.

US tech stocks slide as Oracle data centre setback reignites AI concerns
A technical failure at one of Oracle’s major data centers rattled investor confidence in the AI infrastructure boom. The disruption renewed questions about system resiliency as workloads grow more complex. Tech shares broadly slipped as markets reassessed the sector’s near-term stability.

This is one of the most common problems for high-earning employees, business owners, and investors — and almost no one explains it clearly.

If your income comes from bonuses, commissions, consulting, side businesses, investing, or uneven business cash flow, traditional “set it and forget it” tax advice does not work. That’s how people end up shocked by tax bills, scrambling in April, or accidentally underpaying and getting penalties.

Here’s how to manage irregular income without overpaying or getting caught off guard.

Payroll employees have taxes withheld automatically. The system works because income is predictable.

But if you earn money in bursts — a big bonus, a strong quarter, a great month in business — the tax system assumes you’ll proactively manage it. Most people don’t.

The result is one of three bad outcomes:

The fix is not complicated, but it does require structure.

The biggest mistake people make is mentally treating gross income as spendable income.

It isn’t.

The simplest rule:
The moment money hits your account, a portion of it is not yours.

What to do:

This single habit eliminates 80% of tax stress.

Do not guess. Do not “feel it out.”

Use a safe default percentage based on your situation:

Yes, these are ranges. That’s intentional. It’s better to slightly over-set aside than come up short.

If you want precision later, you can dial it in. Early on, safety matters more.

If irregular income becomes meaningful, the IRS expects quarterly estimated payments, not one big payment in April.

Key idea:
You don’t wait until tax season to settle up — you pay as you go.

Quarterly deadlines:

You may need to pay quarterly if:

This is not optional once income reaches a certain level.

Here’s something most people don’t know:

You don’t need to pay your exact tax bill during the year to avoid penalties.

The IRS safe harbor rule says you’re generally fine if you pay:

This gives you flexibility.

Practical use:

This is especially useful for growing businesses or variable investment income.

You do not need complex accounting software to do this well.

Once per month:

This 15-minute monthly check prevents massive problems later.

Consistency matters more than precision.

Some income creates taxes without creating cash.

Examples:

This is where people get burned.

Rule of thumb:
If an investment generates taxable income, set aside cash elsewhere to cover it. Do not assume the investment will produce the cash to pay its own taxes.

This is a common issue for investors who “make money on paper.”

If you consistently over-set aside tax money, that’s not a failure.

At tax time, excess funds can be:

The goal is control, not perfection.