Year-End Business Mode

It is getting close to the end of the end and I am in full on year-end business mode. Everything for the year has to be closed out and I am left going through what worked, what didn’t and where all of the things I did over the year left me business wise. Outstanding bills or payments need to be dealt with. You would be surprised to know that most of the time bloggers are paid right way for work we do. Many times it is thirty or even sixty days later. I have a couple of outstanding invoices where I wasn’t paid at all.

Sounds glamorous right? There are moments when I really am not sure why I do all of this. Then I look at my family and I know right away why. One thing I always do during this time of the year is ask questions and research. I ask questions of myself and my family. I know that things that affect me, affect them and I want to know about those things. We have a “board” meeting where the whole family learns about how the business is doing and the plans I have for the next year. The goals we have and where we are going. Sounds like a lot I know. 

As I said I do a lot of research too. That helps me put my plans in action and figure out how to grow my business. I have found things like  http://www.freemakemoneyadvice.com/businesss-growth/ help me even though they aren’t always geared towards my business model. I am working on grasping the business side more. 

I am always learning and that has helped me make my business better. In fact, until a couple of years ago I didn’t have a business plan. I didn’t think I needed one as a blogger. I now have one for each blog. Those plans help me define myself more. I keep up with expenses way better than I use to. That is how I know I am owed money. I have a spreadsheet that I use. I sit down every month and balance my books. It helps keep me on track and I can see when I have spent more than I needed to. I have a budget for my business as well. 

One of the biggest expenses I had this year was having to get some new office furniture. I attempted to say money and bought the furniture from a used furniture store. What I didn’t realize at the time was they didn’t deliver and I ended up having to hire local movers to get my stuff home for me. While I did save some money, I didn’t save as much as I wanted to. It was a lesson and one that I will not make again. 

Taking the time to get into the year-end business mode allows me to be ready for tax season when it gets here. I don’t look for recipes because I have already put them together. When January 1st get here I make sure every single piece of paper and information from the previous year is gathered and ready.