Sooo, how do you keep your finances organized? Shall I expect your reply to include a sour look and an attempt to change the subject real fast? Many would rather be stuck in a huge traffic jam or go sit in the dentist’s chair rather than think about organizing their finances. But the truth is, if your costs, both business and personal, are running amok… then perhaps you might be throwing money to the wild, or down the drain.
Have you ever been surprised by that pesky late fee, then again, and again in rapid succession? Have you ever complained to the credit card companies that you never received the bill, only to find months later it had fallen behind the desk?
The cost of disorganization is not only financial, it can waste time and take a toll on our mood (and the unknowing around us). Consider how much replacing lost tools, recreating lost files, or time putting out fires costs your business. And there’s more… consider the losses involved with forgetting to send invoices to customers, paying for overtime labor and dealing with employee turnover. Disorganization costs money and could lead to measurable losses in profitability. It is time to stop the stampede, break in and bridle!
The good news is that it only takes 5 simple steps to help lasso in your business costs. You probably already have heard of that nasty “B” word, budgeting?
- Figure out your monthly net income (if it fluctuates, take the previous 12 months divided by 12 for the estimated monthly)
- Figure your monthly fixed expenses (rent, utilities, lease, insurance etc.)
- Figure variable expenses – commodities that don’t have a fixed price tag each month (office supplies, groceries, repairs and maintenance, meals and entertainment etc.)
- Figure a monthly contingency or reserve expense for the unexpected (trust me the unexpected is inevitable)
- Review the budget versus actuals monthly and fine tune your numbers
Your budget is a very useful tool to help plan for near and far range, and be able to go the distance. You might think you lack the time to organize your expenses, however, a few hours of organization with a professional accountant/bookkeeper, could spur you on towards being knee deep in clover sooner than later.
Make today be the day for changing horses. Decide to run free and keep up with the finances monthly yourself, contract a professional to saddle up on a regular basis, and/or occasionally opt for a bookkeeping/accounting audit to know that you are on the right track. The important thing is to corral the dark days.
Run for the roses. Unwrap your Daily Double by Contacting Us Here and sending a message.
