Freelancer · Excel workbook · 11 sheets
Rate Calculator & Project Profitability
Replaces
Bonsai pricing module
~$19/mo
save ~$228/yr
10-yr: keep ~$2,269
Reverse-solve your target hourly rate from desired annual income across 8 scenarios (Survival → Stretch), with overhead, tax buffer, and profit margin baked in. Track effective rate per project to see which jobs actually paid your floor. Pair with Solo Practice OS for full pipeline. Now includes Industry Playbook, Print Reports.
Preview · Rate Scenarios
| Scenario | Target Annual Income | Weeks Worked | Billable Hrs/Wk | Total Billable Hrs | Overhead % | Tax Buffer % | Profit Margin % | Required Hourly | Daily Rate (8h) | Project Rate (40h) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Survival (replace day job) | $85,000 | 48 | 25 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | Bare minimum | ||||
| Realistic / Established | $120,000 | 46 | 22 | 0.15 | 0.3 | 0.15 | Most freelancers — recommend | ||||
| Comfortable | $165,000 | 46 | 20 | 0.18 | 0.32 | 0.2 | Healthy operator | ||||
| Premium / Specialist | $240,000 | 44 | 18 | 0.2 | 0.35 | 0.25 | Niche expertise |
Inside the file
- START HERE
- Rate Scenarios
- Project P&L
- Rate Dashboard
- Print Reports
- Data Import
- Companion Tools
- Assumptions
+ 3 analytical & operator sheets
- Lookup Tables
- Industry Playbook
- Settings & Targets
How it works
-
01
Open the .xlsx in Excel, Google Sheets, or Apple Numbers
Sample data is pre-loaded so every dashboard works the moment you open it. Look around. Click cells. See the formulas.
-
02
Replace the sample data with your numbers
Paste a CSV from Bonsai pricing module, type directly into the input sheets, or import month by month. The workbook recomputes automatically.
-
03
Read the dashboards
11 sheets across KPI dashboards, forecasts, and traffic-light alerts. They update as you log. No buttons to press.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit the formulas?
Yes — input cells, targets, and assumptions are editable. Logic sheets stay protected so the workflow remains stable while you customise the system.
Does it work in Google Sheets?
Best in Excel. You can open the .xlsx file in Google Sheets or Apple Numbers, but review formulas, formatting, and recalculation after import.
Is this a one-time purchase?
Yes — pay once and own it forever. No subscriptions, no monthly fees, no accounts required.
What if the template is not right for me?
We offer a 7-day review window. Contact support and we will sort it out.