The Artful Dollar – Frequently Asked Questions

  • Over 700 tattoo artists and shop owners have gone through The Artful Dollar Program to help them build financial stability, save and invest for the future, pay down debt and get on top of their taxes/bookkeeping. Instead of sticking to a budget, the Waterfall Money System organizes, separates and automatically manages you’re money for you. As Ryan says “If I manage all my money, I’ll F%&K it up. Having a system that manages most of my money for me means I cant F%&K it up too bad”

    In addition to having a system for your money, we look at our internal relationship with money. Our clients often come for the waterfall system, but leave feeling like they needed to work on their mindset around money more than they thought. If you repeat patterns and emotions around money that cause you to stress and self sabotage, that is a good sign that you would benefit from our money mindset lessons.

  • Tattoo artists who wonder “where does all my money go?” at the end of every month. If you are a busy tattoo artist or shop owner but you struggle to save and manage money, this is for you. Many of our clients have never saved over $10,000 before working with us despite earning a good living tattooing. We have even helped artists pay off tens of thousands of dollars of debt, build their emergency savings fund, pay off back taxes and get on track for retirement.. We usually recommend that you are already earning an average of $7,000 USD per month to allow the automations to run smoothly.

    If you want to build that emergency savings fund, buy a house, qualify for loans, save up for vacations and travel but you don’t know how, that’s what we specialize in.

  • DescriptionNot at all. The Artful Dollar was built for artists who have always struggled with money despite earning a decent living. Ryan and the coaching team break everything down into clear, simple steps. Even if you’ve tried budgeting and saving in the past and it hasn't worked for you, this program can help you finally take control of your financial future and you’ll feel confident and supported throughout the whole program.

  • The program covers all the financial essentials tattoo artists need, including:

    How to save and manage money on inconsistent income

    Building (and keeping) an emergency savings fund

    Preparing and saving for taxes as a self employed or small business owner

    Managing business expenses

    Planning for long term goals like buying a house, vacations and retirement.

    Money mindset and building a healthy relationship with money

  • The Artful Dollar is a virtual coaching program and has a combination of self-paced lessons, group coaching calls, 1:1 coaching and access to a private community platform. This mix gives you flexibility to learn on your schedule while still receiving real-time support, feedback, and accountability from a financial coach and fellow tattoo artists.

  • Yes. While the program is structured around group learning, you’ll receive guidance from Ryan and our assistant financial coaches during group and 1:1 coaching sessions. You can also message our coaches privately on our platform in between group sessions. Many artists find the peer support and shared experiences to be just as valuable as the coaching itself.

  • Most tattoo artists spend about 2–3 hours per week on lessons, coaching, and implementing what they learn. The more you engage with the material, the faster you’ll see results — but everything is designed to fit into a busy tattooing schedule.

  • Absolutely. The Artful Dollar is specifically designed to help tattoo artists manage irregular income. The systems you’ll learn will help you smooth out cash flow, plan ahead, and stay financially stable — even when your bookings fluctuate.

  • Yes. Many shop owners use The Artful Dollar business coaching to better understand their business finances, set profit goals, manage expenses, and prepare for growth. Whether you’re working solo or managing a team, the principles and systems apply to any tattoo business model.

  • Tattoo artists leave the program with a clear and reliable system for managing money that doesn’t rely on them sticking to a budget. You will leave with the confidence to make smart financial decisions. You’ll have a plan for taxes, savings, and profit — and the peace of mind that comes with financial control. Take a look at the many artists and shop owners who recorded testimonials.

  • Absolutely. Taxes are one of the most stressful parts of being a tattoo artist, and most of us were never taught how to handle them. The Artful Dollar breaks it all down step-by-step and builds automatic tax savings into your Waterfall Money System. You’ll know how much you should save every month and avoid last-minute surprises. By the end of the program, taxes will feel like just another part of your business — not something to fear.

  • Yes. A big part of The Artful Dollar is about shifting your money mindset. If you grew up avoiding financial conversations or feel anxious even thinking about money, you’re not alone. This program helps you rewrite those patterns, build confidence, and develop a healthier, more empowering relationship with your finances. Many artists say this is the most life-changing part of the entire experience.

  • Yes. Many tattoo artists join The Artful Dollar because they feel buried under credit card debt, personal loans, or back taxes. The program teaches you how to build a clear plan to pay down debt while still covering your expenses and saving for the future. With the systems and strategies you’ll learn, paying off debt becomes manageable — and often faster than you think.

No image available, only text about being debt free after taking a course.