Money is a Teacher

In the years that I have been blessed to work with people and money I have found that money is one of the most incredible teachers in life. There is so much emotion and energy around money and not all of it, in fact a great deal of it, is negative. This is truly unfortunate because money touches almost every area of our life.

I was listening to a speaker a while back and he made the comment that “Money does buy happiness”. Of course he was creating a case against the age old “Yeah but, money can’t buy you happiness.” A phrase that I think is often used as an excuse to never figure out how to make the money that is on your heart to earn. He made his case by stating “Money buys the family vacations that create memories and that makes me happy. I can give to the charities and community events as I want to and not as my check book dictates and that makes me happy. I can grow my business and provide employment for a lot of people who then go on vacations, and that makes me happy.” The list could go on and on.

Here is what I know. Each of us has inklings, thoughts and dreams about the life we would like to live. There is no right or wrong, better than or less than life, there is just our life that we are called to live out in the world. So when you think about what that is for you - where are you on your journey to creating that life?

A great place to begin when asking yourself that question is “Are you making the kind of money you want in order to live that life?” If the answer is not yet, then the good news is you get to be in the question of how do I do it! I encourage you to begin to get curious about money and pay attention to what comes up for you in the way of emotions and thinking. Do you go into overwhelm? Do you put it on a to do list and never get to it? Do you glaze over and tune out? Or do you love to learn about it?

I hope you can come to a place where you can see that money is just another tool to learn how to use and master in life. That it can actually become a fun place to explore and learn from as you are achieving your dream life.


Leave me a comment below I would know how you are doing with this.

In Abundance,

Sue Thompson

Financial Management Expert

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The Joy of Seasons and Money

I woke up to our first frost this morning. The sun was shining and I could feel the crispness of the air through the window. Immediately, I smiled and my mind went to time for flannel sheets, apples, and layered clothes. Each of these is a rhythm of my life that brings me happiness, which is why I smiled.

I love all the seasons, which is why I live in Montana. For me it is reflecting a time of change and bringing in new things.

Fall is my favorite though; it’s what I call sweatshirt weather. There is crispness in the mornings and evenings calling me to wrap up in warmer clothes and strong colors that inspire me to begin to look inward. These are habits for me. Habits that bring me joy.

When it comes to money we also have habits. The question is: are they habits that bring you joy? Habits that leave you feeling empowered? Habits that let you know you are on the path that makes your heart sing?

Often times, I find for most people, money is hard and chaotic and burdensome. I know this because I have been there too. The reason for this is the habits that we have. Money in our life has a rhythm, just like the rhythms of life we experience with a change in seasons. Taking time to first decide if that rhythm brings you joy or not is the first step. Once you know which things bring you joy, and which don’t, then you can begin to change the ones that don’t.

The good news is you can make this decision in the moment and then go to work finding and learning new ways to work with money so it is a joyful process for you. I always tell my clients my goal is to make money fun for them. So when it’s that day of the week or month to look at their numbers, it’s a joyful process.

As you step into this new season I encourage you to find one area of money where you can begin to have fun with it, experience joy with it. If I can do it, so can you!

In Abundance,

Sue

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What is your "MONEY" story?

Pay Yourself First - Of all the tips in wealth building this is absolutely my favorite.

It is also the most powerful tip when it comes to wealth building. Not only will it empower you, it will also make you wealthy. So not to take anything away from Nike but the truth is you just have to do it!

So what does it mean to pay yourself first? It is taking a specific amount of money on a consistent basis and putting it to work making money for you forever. The initial amount is not as important as the consistency to begin with. I know for myself I had every reason in the book why I had to spend those dollars rather than leave them in a wealth building account. Until one day it became crystal clear to me that without developing this habit I was not going to achieve the financial goals I had set for myself. I have lifestyle goals, contribution goals and legacy goals; all of which require money.

Have you ever heard the question which would you rather have today; a penny doubled every day for 30 days or a million dollars? The answer to this question is actually the penny.

Albert Einstein taught us why when he taught us the power of Compound Interest. Compound Interest is a mathematical concept we learned in grade school. The magnitude of the power of this concept is not something you will realize unless you put it to work in your life. You must experience it!!!

So my question to you is: If you are not doing this, why are you doing what you are doing? When you get up in the morning to do the work you are doing what is your why for doing it? Paying yourself first is a mindset. It is one of the ways the wealthy become wealthier. There is something in the "doing" of this that will affect how you think about and behave with money. It's not a get rich quick scheme. It will make you wealthy. Make it a habit and see what happens.

We would love to hear from you - Are you paying yourself first? How would this look? please share with us in the comments below.

In Abundance,

Sue

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Learning Happens in the Journey

School supplies are already showing up in the stores. It feels like summer just began; yet here we are already beginning August! When I was younger, I loved going to the office supply store: all the new pens and pencils, new workbooks—just ripe for creating something in. These were the tools that would get used to record new learning. Learning is one of the things in life I still truly enjoy. The sparks of new thought married with my own hopes and dreams always seems to breathe new life into me; a breath that brings hope, joy and clarity--kind of that feeling you get at the beginning of any new relationship. There is almost giddiness to it.

With all dreams and goals, there comes the action that will actually create the results.
For so many years, I have been so focused on the results. Everything I did was for the
end result. Focusing this way does create results, however, the fullness of life and greatest impact of the results happens along the way. It is in the daily practicing and practicing where we get stretched. This is where we become who we are. This is where we meet others. This is where, when we are grounded and open, we can catch insights that are greater than anything we could have come up with on our own. The truth is there are always results. The question is, “was I aware of all of them?”

In Abundance,

Sue

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Exit Strategy

Do you have or need an exit strategy for your business?

With six months left in the year, why would I be asking you to think about an exit strategy?

The most successful business (success being that when you retire, close, or sell your business you have profit or money in the bank to live off of) requires having an exit strategy.

The time to figure that out is right now!

By creating an exit strategy using business forecasting techniques with me, a financial expert who has been doing this for 30 years, I can provide you with a short, medium and long-term strategy to help your business experience grow.

Ask yourself these questions:

·       Are you building an asset to sell where the proceeds from the sale will fund your next steps in life?

·       Are you creating a legacy to be passed on to the next generation?

·       Are you creating a method to create cash where that cash will be used for investing to fund the next steps in your life?

·       Are you creating something to do for a time that will allow for a certain lifestyle for that time?

Once you are clear on these answers you are ready to create the forecast for success.

If you are ready to experience long-term growth, despite the economic conditions, and to create an exit/profit strategy with a trusted and experienced financial management expert, then contact me today.

For more ideas and a complimentary analysis

to determine where you are - give us a call today

(406) 257- 6044!

In Abundance,

Sue

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Create your pot of Gold!

The universal symbol of good luck is the Four Leaf Clover. The tradition was first documented in 1620 by Sir John Melton and the belief was if you carried a four-leaf clover you would be able to see fairies and ward off any evil or bad luck. Unfortunately, there is only one four-leaf clover for every 10,000 three-leaf clovers.

Today we associate the four-leaf clover with St Patrick's Day and typically we will see a leprechaun along with a rainbow and a pot of gold. I wonder if the odds of finding that pot of gold are in alignment with the odds of finding a four-leaf clover?

I take great solace in knowing that we are all, each of us, capable of creating our own pot of gold. Financial literacy and management are learned skills available for each of us. If you have not yet read the Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D Wattles, I encourage you to do so. Like many things in life the first step in achieving what you want, begins with opening your mind to new ways of thinking.

You can increase the odds of creating your own pot of gold through learning and being brave enough to try new proven systems and tools. Having solid mentors and team members to walk with us can exponentially increase the rate at which we achieve our results. July is fast approaching. Let's make the last half of 2013 your best financially by taking action now.  Click Here to make an appointment with Sue.

At Abundance Accounting we are honored to walk with our clients as they continue to take new steps towards their pot of gold. If you are not yet one of our clients, and are looking for a proven way to build your own pot of gold, contact us today, we would love to hear what you are up to and to see how we can be of service to you in creating your pot of gold. Give us a call at (406) 257- 6044!

In Abundance,

Sue

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Timeliness is Always Critical

"A Weekend of planting - such fun. I know for many people just planting now seems very late. In the Rockies, where we are still getting down into the 30's at night, it is right on time. Timeliness is always critical; whether it's planting or it's business or it's a personal decision. May your week be filled with timely activities." Sue Thompson

In Abundance,

Sue
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How is your debt load impacting your family and business life?

John & Teresa, like a number of small business owners, are slowly beginning to recover from the last four years of economic turmoil. They were committed to staying in the game, knowing what they were offering was of value. Through imagination and creativity they were able to repackage themselves in the marketplace and sales once again began to increase. The investment in this process however left them with more debt than they had anticipated. Does this sound familiar to you?

How is your debt load impacting your family and business life?

Are you looking for a solution?

Initially the burden of the debt was overwhelming, leaving John & Teresa wondering if they were ever going to get out of debt. Often they would argue, each wanting the other to find a way to take care of the situation and neither knowing where to turn. Being savvy business owners they felt they should be able to figure this out on their own. Searching online they were able to find people, who for a large up-front fee, would negotiate their debt down for them but then they were left with figuring out how to make all the payments.

Next, also online, John & Teresa found some excel spreadsheets which were already set up to track debt reduction. A friend of mine calls excel spreadsheets Bill Gates payback to all the kids who made fun of him in school! Excel is a good tool for many things but for understanding cash flow it falls very short. It is a static tool that requires constant updating to project with or to adjust for life’s curve balls. If you are ready for a dynamic tool, that will adjust for you as life happens then continue reading!

For the last three years we have been working with a financial GPS. I personally have used this tool to reduce my debt faster and have saved over $150,000 in interest in the process without refinancing! Call now for a complimentary no obligation analysis to see what this tool can do for you. It will be well worth your time and when you book your appointment I will send you my report on Debt Reduction & Wealth Building.

For more ideas and a complimentary analysis

to determine where you are - give us a call today

(406) 257- 6044!

In Abundance,

Sue

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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

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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

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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

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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