Saving for a Rainy Day (in May, June, December)

Were you already prepared for spring and summer?  Most people here in the Rockies were.  However last night everything froze and we woke up to snow.  How prepared are you for change? How prepared is your family and your business when the unexpected occurs?

When I was young I remember my Mom teaching me the importance of saving for a rainy day.  She will laughingly relate the story of when we took family road trips in the car.  She would give my sister and I a roll of nickels and every time we asked "Are we there yet?"  or "How much longer?" we would have to pay a nickel.  Without fail I always had most of my nickels at the end of the trip.  If only it was that easy today to keep our money.  Saving today is a strategy.

There are those that will tell you that putting a percent of your earned money in a savings account is a discipline that will pay off in time.  There was time in our economy when that might have made some sense, when markets were on a continual upswing however in the last 5 years most will tell you that putting in money in a savings account which pays a rate of return lower than the rate of inflation means you are actually going backwards with the value of your dollar.  Even if your funds are in an IRA savings account they are not safe from this phenomenon.

Investing is another way of saying saving.  When we use this term there are many more options available to us such as investing in real estate, businesses, stocks, bonds.  Each of these of course has its own list of pros and cons and requires some learning so you are able to make the best decision for you about how it will fit into your plan for building wealth.

So how are you saving for a rainy day?  For many there is so much more month at the end of their money that saving has become a concept that is far off in the "someday".  Having an expert provide a financial forecast for your business and family is the best way to prepare for the unexpected and secure your future. Take action now for a complimentary review and receive a free report with tips to help you grow your money.  To find a solution for the unexpected rainy day and for help to ensure a brighter future contact us right away.  Rainy days are an inevitable part of life; we can help you to be prepared for them.

In Abundance,

Sue
Contact Sue
Appointment with Sue 
www.abundanceaccounting.com

Systems

SYSTEMS

Whew it's after tax day! Mary was reviewing her tax returns and she realized that not only was her home out of budget but that her business was as well. At home Mary follows a routine for starting her day. When Mary gets up in the morning she starts her day with a cup of coffee and the morning newspaper. Then she eats a bowl of Special K before getting into her car for the 20 minute drive to the office. While in the car she listens to an inspirational audio to help begin her day with enthusiasm. When Mary is on top of her game she follows this routine consistently and produces great results. When she forgets any one of these habits her day never gets off to a good start and she feels behind the eight ball all day long. How many of you can relate to that? Systems like the ones we use in the morning can be helpful in ensuring we produce the results we want. Were you satisfied with your financial results this tax year?

Creating a financial system and routine to follow will grow your wealth both personally and professionally. Your life can be broken down into systems. Routines that we use with our kids, our spouse, our business and our finances. Human beings tend to do things systematically. Many of us deny this fact because we like to believe that we are spontaneous and that nothing is controlling us, yet when you look at your daily life you realize that the more you do use a system or a habit and a routine the easier your life becomes. The same system can be applied to your financial future and growth.

What is your current financial system? Is it random? Do you have more month at the end of your money? Are you surprised when you check your checking account balance? When looking at your business are you clear on your assets and liabilities? When you use a financial system developing a business forecast becomes easier.

One system many of our customers have implemented is the following:

· keep two envelopes in the car labeled for the current month - one for personal expenditures and one for business expenditures. As transactions occur the minute you get in the car empty your pockets of receipts into the envelope making notes as required. (Typically that is only required on meal receipts)

· keep a folder in the house labeled for the current month - as items come in the mail put them in the folder, making notes on anything that is unique or new

· keep a similar folder in your office for business statements

· after the last statement for the month has been received (typically these are your investment statements) put the items from the folders in the envelopes and mail to Abundance Accounting

This is a pretty simple and easy process that ensures timely financial reporting. Your financial system will have a great impact when it comes to time. You can always make more money to compensate for a poor system but you can never replace your time.

Contact us today!  to take action on your financial future now. Let's grow your business and personal finances and talk about ways Abundance Accounting can help you create a financial system that will free you up to do what you do best!

We would love to hear what systems you are using. Please go to Abundance Accounting on Facebook and share with us what is working! We will be happy to send you our free Debt Reduction and Wealth Building Report as a thank you.

For more ideas and a complimentary analysis

to determine where you are - give us a call today

(406) 257- 6044!

In Abundance,

Sue

Contact Sue

Appointment with Sue 

www.abundanceaccounting.com

What would you do with an extra $100 dollars per month?

Take my significant other out to dinner.

Buy a widget I’ve had my eye on.

Pay down a bill that is weighing heavy on my mind.

Put it in a savings account.

Pay for my child’s next pair of shoes.

Buy supplies for my business.

 The truth is if you aren’t clear on where you are today, financially, and you don’t know where you want to go, or in other words what your definition of financial freedom is, it is difficult to answer this question with confidence.

Contact us today!

For more ideas and a complimentary analysis
to determine where you are - give us a call today
(406) 257- 6044!

In Abundance,

Sue

Contact Sue
Appointment with Sue 
www.abundanceaccounting.com

Understanding Money Principles or the Rules of the Game

Your Business and Personal Reboot for the rest of 2013


This is the second quarter of 2013. We all get a financial reboot in our business and personal financial planning and growth.

Although the economy is slowly churning for medium and small business owners, and certainly for families, every economic indicator suggests sustained growth for 2013.

When you follow the rules and principles of money, your business and personal finances can grow at a substantial rate this year.

What are the rules of the game of money? The rules of the game that wealthy people follow - and many of the rest us don't - have been around for a long time. These rules are not exclusive to wealthy people and you can follow the same rules. When you follow these rules or principles your business and personal life changes forever.


Some Rules and Guidelines for Business Owners:

· Having current financial statements

· Reviewing your financial statements with an advisor monthly or at a minimum quarterly

· Having a financial forecast for the next 12 months



For Your Personal/Family Life:

· Paying yourself first

· Keeping current financial records

· Having a plan for the next 12 months



When you follow these principles you can expect new results. Truly what rules or principles do for us, is they are the guiding ideas we use to form our behavioral habits. The first rule of wealth building is awareness. Many of us have developed a set of habits that may not be working for us. Often these principles or rules of the game are not something we can put into words. For each of us these principles are different and have come from what others have taught us and or from habits we have formed over time. They go back to the time when we received our first allowance or our first paycheck.


If an individual is unaware of their principles, their guiding rules, they can be making decisions that are not getting them where they want to go and they have no idea they are doing it. For instance, some of us keep a check register and some of us don't. Some of us sit down and pay the bills each month and some of us don't. Some of us pay bills randomly and some of us wait to the last pay check and then we pay the bills. If family members and or business partners are unaware of their rules they can be butting heads and never understand why.


As well, most of us never stop to look at the whole picture and how our daily actions impact that picture. When we meet with financial management people, someone like myself, who can help us to shift our habits to create wealth, then we begin to create awareness around knowing why we make the decisions we make around money..


I am offering a free business forecasting analysis and personal analysis to assist you in creating the best financial growth for the rest of 2013.

I have 7 available business forecasting slots available, and 7 personal analysis slots.

Business owners can expect: 

· Gain clarity on revenue vs expenses

· Understanding of your current financial statements

· How to use your cashflow for maximum gains

Your personal analysis includes:

· How to grow your money while getting out of debt

· A plan of action that works, and will end arguing over money

· The date you can become debt free


Knowing your why, your definition of what abundance is for you in your life, is the fuel for changing your financial habits. Then it is just a matter of demystifying these habits and rules, which have really been around forever and learning how to implement them in your life. When we begin to follow the rules and create new habits then it becomes easier to start the wealth building process.


When I am working with people we go through a series of questions to help identify what money principles everyone is working with. It's fun, easy and painless. Doing this is a crucial first step for wealth building.

Contact me today by clicking on the appointment link below or call and to schedule your financial analysis. Let’s prepare for a better economy and make the rest of 2013 you’re best financially…

Contact us today!

For more ideas and a complimentary analysis
to determine where you are - give us a call today
(406) 257- 6044!

In Abundance,

Sue

Contact Sue
Appointment with Sue 
www.abundanceaccounting.com

Cash Flow - What is that again?

Cash Flow - What is that again? and is it possible for our family and business???

This week I was once again reminded of how elusive the concept of cash flow is. Here are some of the things I am hearing:

How do I keep more of my money?

When I look online all I find are systems for investing.

I want to know how to have more money left at the end of my month.

When I start to look at my situation I have a hard time wrapping my arms around the chaos, then I become afraid or angry and just walk away.

I keep procrastinating looking at my finances and then another month, quarter or year has gone by and I am still not clear what I achieved.

If this sounds like you, the most important thing to know is you are not alone. The next most important thing to know is that financial management is a learned skill and you too, can learn it, and become a cash flow expert!

At Abundance Accounting our Sue defines abundance as the ability to do what you want to do when you want to do it and in the way you want to do it without worrying about the cost!

Money is a tool we learn to use in order to achieve abundance. When you learn to use this tool well, you begin building wealth. There are many steps that go into learning about money not the least of which is looking at our own thoughts and actions.

The time to start is now, no matter where you are starting from and what you think about where you are starting from. Whether you are afraid or excited just start. Think of one thing that you could do differently this week to begin to learn how to use the tool of money more effectively so you can begin to achieve abundance for you!

You can even take action right this moment - REGISTER FOR the "Get Your Cash Flow in Order for Higher Profits" Free Teleseminar March 26th @ 11am Pacific.
Carpe Diem - Seize the day!

For more ideas and a complimentary analysis
to determine where you are - give us a call today
(406) 257- 6044!

In Abundance,

Sue

Contact Sue
Appointment with Sue 
www.abundanceaccounting.com

You too can be a Financial Management Master! What is your Why?

Are you getting ready? Spring is coming! So is March Madness! (Yes, NCAA Basketball; I was referring to finishing your taxes and building wealth).   

You too can be a Financial Management Master! 

What would it be like if you knew you could begin eliminating debt, build wealth and not worry or argue over money? Let's start Spring 2013 off with a Plan and System to get you into abundance and financial freedom.

Let me tell you about Cecilia and Danny. In March of 2012, they had over $350,000 in debt. They began a program that helped them identify their fastest path to becoming debt free without refinancing or finding more money.  They are now, 12 months later 9 years ahead of schedule for paying off that debt.  They have extra cash at the end of the month instead of extra month at the end of their cash. The secret that wealthy individuals and business know is available to you now.  The secret is taking action and using a system.

So why do you want to be a master in the area of financial management?  Change is always born out of a new why.  Here are some questions to think about why you would want to become a Financial Management Master:

·      I want a written financial plan for the next 12 months

·      I want my financial statements current and ready for review

·      I want to be comfortable reading financial statements

·      I want to know where every penny of my family/ business spending goes

·      I want to be able to contribute time and money to the interests I am passionate about (Charity, Spiritual, Community Groups)

·      I want to provide for my Children's Education

·      I want to take the vacations we desire

·      I want to have my debt paid in full by the date I desire

·      I want my Retirement Plans to be secure and sufficient by the age I desire

·      I want to leave a legacy

What is your why?  Once you have this answer then the FUN begins!

In Abundance,

Sue

Contact Sue
Appointment with Sue 
www.abundanceaccounting.com

So how do I do this?

I recently read an article in Small Business Advisor called "The Debt Reduction Paradox" where the author ended with a question I am happy to say I have found an answer to.  

The author stated:

"I don’t think I am alone in making the statement that I have too much debt. You can’t open a newspaper (yes they still exist), watch a news program, or listen to the radio without being bombarded with a commercial about getting out of debt.

Granted, it’s a booming industry. Not only is the Country in debt, but a significant portion of people are in trouble. I feel that there are 3 categories of people in debt. While there is no intrinsic difference (they are still in debt) I do feel there is subtle difference between one type and another.

The first category is the “Suddenly Debt Ridden.” These people have done everything right and were just hit with an insurmountable incident. Maybe they got laid off of work. Maybe that had a catastrophic medical incident. Maybe they made a bad investment. In any event, it’s a new, scary and uncomfortable situation for them.

The second type of person is what I call the “Chronically Debt Ridden.” These are people that just do not know how to handle money. You can give them everything and in a couple years, they are broke. Think of all the professional athletes that made millions of dollars, year after year, and are now broke. They just do not understand how debt works.

The third type of person is the one I want to concentrate on. These are the “Treading Water Debt Ridden.” The ones that just trying to live life, doing everything right, have a good job and a decent paycheck, don’t live extravagantly or outside their means, but slowly and surely lose ground on debt. You make enough to keep your head above water, but small ripples (a furnace, new tires, etc..) do you in. The proverbial “death by a thousand cuts.”

So how do you fix this?"

I like the categories that the author has created.  Since the first economic crash in 2008 I have worked with so many people who fell into category 1 and now reside in category 3 as recovery continues to only inch along.  I fell into this category myself.  My business was going along great, the first crash happened and I figured ok, we can ride this out.  Then the second crash came and I was crushed.  Left with startup debt and debt from keeping my employees too long counting on a faster recovery.  So many of us didn't have good labels like these and used the hammer labels of failure for ending up with debt after the crash.  The truth is there were many circumstances that led to the crash, many out of our control.  The bottom line now is "So how do you fix this?"

Well as is part of my nature I went to work researching solutions.  I began looking for solutions that did not involve bankruptcy or refinancing and did not involve a company renegotiating me out of my debt for a very high fee. I found a perfect solution for this challenge.  Imagine having fun reducing debt and once again creating the wealth you desire, knowing you are in control of what will happen next. Can you picture having fun winning against the bank and building your wealth? Wouldn't you agree that when a path is laid out for you that it's much easier to get from point A to point B!  With this solution you will have a step by step plan tailor made for you that will be simple to follow.  Call me today for a complimentary analysis to see how this proven solution can help you.  I personally have used this system to save over $150,000 in interest and 10 years of payments and you can too.  Call me today 406 257 6044!


In Abundance,

Sue

Contact Sue
Appointment with Sue 
www.abundanceaccounting.com 

Are you Building Wealth?

I have been working with some new clients who came to me with a question I hear a lot.

 "I have been working really hard and I am not feeling
                       like I am getting ahead, what am I doing wrong?"  

The good news is it's not about doing anything wrong it's about not doing some simple PROVEN STEPS that will ensure you achieve the long term results you are wanting to create in your business.   Having solid financial reports allows you to track your progress so you can adjust in real time to ensure you are achieving the long term results you are looking for.  When you KNOW you are on track it helps to keep the passion alive during the day to day activities!

Can you Answer this: For the sake of what do you do what you do?  This is a question that either makes perfect sense to you or it makes no sense to you.  When you started your business what was your dream?  Why did you start it?  For some it's to bring a service or product to the world in a new and unique way, for some  it's a way to control your own schedule and not have anyone else telling you what you can do when.

For everyone I want to boldly state that no matter what you are doing it is for the sake of BUILDING WEALTH.  I think we have all heard "making money is only as good as your ability to keep it".  So how do you keep it?  The first step is to ensure you have current and accurate financial records.  It is impossible to plan where you want to go if you are not clear on where you are starting from.  The two reports that give you this information are a Profit and Loss (or an income and expense) and the Balance Sheet (which lists assets and liabilities).

When it comes to building wealth the Balance Sheet is king!  Learning how to read these statements and create a plan for wealth building is well worth investing time and energy in.  If you do not yet have these statements in place now is the perfect time to get started.

Call or email me directly for a free report and a free consultation to start the conversation of changing your financial future for the better! 

In Abundance,

Sue

Contact Sue
Appointment with Sue
www.abundanceaccounting.com