Looking for a less stressful way to handle your business' finances? Learn what mistakes to avoid and the tools that will help you master money even if you're a busy entrepreneur!

Small Business Finances

Around 27 million working-age Americans began or are running a business you may be one of them.

I remember when I started freelancing it was a supplemental income. Eventually, though, it transitioned into my main work.

I knew I needed to step it up and run it like a business. So I took care of the paperwork and started educating myself.

There are days those deadlines get tight and I'm stressed but I enjoy doing the work I'm doing and spending more time with my family.

Win-win in my book.

Whether you're freelancing, doing a side hustle, or launching a business, it will take work.

Not only do you have to work on the front end- so to speak  – producing the product or service you're selling, but you also have to be smart about the back end stuff. One key component? Finances.

Quite simply getting the money squared away makes sure you're actually running a business and not an expensive hobby.

I shared a little bit of my story in past episodes, which I hope gives a glimpse of what to expect. However, it's limited to my own business which may be different from yours.

I know someone who has the breadth and depth of skills and can show you the ropes.

Today small business coach and author Sylvia Moe Inks is on the show to share her knowledge. We're going to discuss:

• the biggest mistakes small business owners make (& how to avoid them)
• creating a system to make taxes much easier
• a tool to cut down on the back and forth of emails

Hope you enjoy!

Resources for Business Finances

If you two are ready to start or grow your business, here are some resources to check out to make sure your money is best used wisely.

• Connect with Sylvia: SMI Financial Coaching | LinkedIn
• Small Business Finance for the Busy Entrepreneur: Blueprint for Building a Solid, Profitable Business <–This needs to be on your bookshelf!
• Lifestyle Business Guide: I created a free guide with the best resources to start your business on a bootstrap budget!
• Quickbooks: Track your money like a pro. I use them for my business.
• Calendly

Are you two stressed over money? Do your talks more often than not end up in fights? Learn how money dates can be effective and fun way you get on the same page and talk about money!

The Money Talk vs Money Dates

One of the most popular questions I get is, when should we talk about money?

Having THE money talk is not only intimidating but unproductive. Find out a better, less stressful option in today's episode.

In this episode, we'll get into:

• why talking about money matters
• how you two can make money talks less stressful
• how money dates can help you build up your marriage and money

Let's get started!

Resources to Make Managing Money Together Easier

Want to stay on top of your money without stressing over the small stuff? Here are some key resources and tools to check out!

• Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint, Honeyfi, and Zeta
• Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money
• How to Talk About Money Without Starting a Fight

We’re going to discuss the ins and outs building your credit in our private Facebook group over at Thriving Families. It’s free and fun – please join us!

Music Credit

Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere and Logan from Music for Makers in this episode.

Ready to take a last minute getaway or weekend trip? Use these travel apps and get the best deals!

Going away for the weekend doesn't mean you break your budget. With a little planning and the right resources, you two can score some nice trips and still save money.

So if you're looking at getting away from it all for a few days, save this post.

Travel Sites to Bookmark for Your Weekend Getaways

There are more sites than ever for travelers. Besides snagging last minute deals on popular tourist spots, you can also discover some awesome destinations.

• Airbnb: If you want to live like a local, Airbnb can help you find a bed or whole house for your next trip. We used the site when we went away for an anniversary trip and had a beautiful riverfront apt in Wilmington, NC for a fraction of the price of a hotel.
• Priceline: I'm a huge fan of their Name Your Own Price feature, which has helped us score plane tickets, hotel rooms, and car rental half off the advertised prices.
• Better Bidding: Speaking of bids, there are forums and sites online that can help you figure out what it will take to your bid accepted.

• ou might also want to keep an eye for flash deals with airlines like Southwest where you can score huge discounts on flights for select cities.

  Apps to Help Score Great Deals and Keep Organized

  With smartphones everywhere, apps have been developed to help travelers. Download these apps to help you get the best deals and explore your destination.

  • Localeur: (iOS only) Locals share some of their favorite spots in 14 major U.S. cities.
  • TripIt: With two kids in tow, I love have one app to handle and organize all of the travel arrangements.
  • Hopper: If you like to double check the deals on flights, Hopper is great. The app analyzes tons of flight prices and can suggest when it's a good time to purchase ticket.

  Even though you might not think of it as a travel app per se, GasBuddy can tremendously helpful if you're taking a road trip.

  Thoughts on Weekend Getaways

  I'd love to hear your ideas and stories. What has been your favorite getaway destination?

  What has been your most recent travel deal you've taken? What travel apps are your favorite for planning?

Merging families and finances can be especially tricky with blended families, but you two can succeed and thrive. Get tips on how you can make this big transition go a lot smoother! 

Blended Families and Finances

Anytime you're merging lives, there are so many things to talk about and discuss. When you're blending your families that's another layer of complexity.

If you have kids, you two are figuring out what the house rules apply now with things like curfew, chores, that you're under one roof.

But you also have your exes. They may have rules which are completely opposite of yours. As you're juggling things as a family, it can be tricky navigating things.

And finances can be just as messy.

Thankfully, Melissa Brown, creator of Blended Family Podcast, is on the show today. She going to discuss her own family's transition and how they manage things plus offer practical tips to make the transition smoother.

Hope you enjoy!

Special thanks to Melissa for coming on and share her thoughts and story!

Please reach out her on Twitter or join her Facebook group to hear from others in the blended family community.

If you’re looking tips, stories, and advice to make merging finances easier, here are a few to check out!

Resources on Merging Finances

Special thanks to Melissa for coming on and share her thoughts and story!

Please reach out her on Twitter or join her Facebook group to hear from others in the blended family community.

If you’re looking tips, stories, and advice to make merging finances easier, here are a few to check out!

• Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint
• Grow Your Stash Faster: High Yield Savings with CiT Bank
• Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money
• Free 401(k) Analysis: blooom
• How to Win Your Spouse Over When They Hate the Budget
• Getting Your Spouse to Save More
• How to Encourage Your Spouse to Start (and Keep) a Budget

If you’re looking for a community to swap ideas and encouragement, please join Thriving Families on Facebook! 

Tired of your debt restricting your options? Learn how Claudia & Garrett from Two Cup House dumped $200k in two years by simplifying their lives and moving into a tiny house!

Achieving Financial Freedom By Dumping Debt

Whenever I hear neighbors, friends, and family talk about their debt, there are a couple of reactions.

Some are frustrated being trapped with certain things because of debt. Maybe they'd love to switch jobs to start a new career, but can't because they got bills to pay.

Others kind of throw up their hands, accept debt as a part of life. “You'll always have a mortgage.”

And then there's this third group. They're are sick and tired, but they are ready to do something. That's where Claudia and Garrett were two years ago.

On April 7, 2015 the Penningtons started the journey lead them to eliminate all their debt last month.

The grand total? Just over $200,000!

Simplifying Finances and Lives 

You've probably seen tiny homes in magazines, online, or maybe on TV (thank you HGTV!). Those small spaces are popular for some couples.

For one, less space typically means less house to maintain. Right now the median size of size home over in the Northeast, where the Penningtons live, is about 2300sq ft.