"I have an app on my phone and it reminds me 5 times a day that I’m going to die,” is exactly what one of my friends told me recently. I stopped and thought about what she said, coming to the conclusion that I didn’t find it morbid. In fact, I think it’s a little weird that we don’t talk about dying more often; that we go around living our lives, putting things off as if we have all the time in the world.
Read Morepersonal finance
How to Stay on Top of Your Business Finances: The Weekly Checklist /
My favorite dad-joke about being a freelancer or small business owner is how we end up getting jobs that we never applied for.
No matter what you do, when you first start out, you do it all. You’re the head of marketing, the VP of sales and the director of finance.
If you’re in business, and you’re a little lost on what you need to be doing to stay on top of your finances, here are the things you should be looking at every week to make sure your business will be sustainable in the long run.
Read MoreFocus On Earning Money /
Saving money is important. So is not spending more than you earn. And so is understanding the implications of big financial decisions like taking on student loans or a mortgage. All of these are crucial for long-term financial sustainability.
But one huge piece of the equation that not a lot of people focus on is the earning money part. As you can imagine, I spend a lot of time thinking about this concept.
Read MorePractical Principles: Ten Meditations on Finance /
I’ve been spent the better part of the last four years thinking about both the small and massive role that money and finances have in our lives, from the global economy to our everyday choices.
The following principles I’ve written goes beyond the standard practical information I tend to put together. These are things I find myself regularly thinking about often sharing. They are the things I’ve learned through my work helping people and from my annoying curiosity about where our lives intersect with the financial and economic world.
Read MoreHow to Save for Taxes /
Disclaimer: I am not an accountant and this is not tax advice. There are different methods and strategies for saving for taxes. This is one I’ve found to be very simple.
If you’re tired of being totally freaked out about owing taxes because your business earned money, listen up. Instead of being unsure about how you’ll pay your tax bill, you can get ahead of the curve by saving for your taxes as you earn income.
Read MoreHow to Care About Your Finances: Schedule Finance Time /
The world of finances is wide and deep. From building a budget to understanding insurance and everything in between; it can be intimidating. Jumping in all at once can result in a harsh flop followed by a defeated retreat.
Read MoreHow to Be "Financially Responsible" /
How to Be Financially Responsible | The Basics of Financial Responsibility
One of the most frequent financial struggles that people talk to me or email me about is having trouble being "fiscally responsible".
When it comes to doing the things one ought to do with their money, according to what I've learned from the industry and society at large, we fall short in a few common ways. Most people have trouble saving when you know you should save, curbing spending on bull shit that you don't need and understanding how the financial markets and economics. I get it. I make weird choices too. A lot of us do it because we're emotional creatures that act on our feelings.
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What Is Venture Capital Funding? Is It Right for Your Business? /
What is venture capital?
Venture capital (VC) is funding given to businesses from investors.
It’s called venture capital funding because it’s funding from the specific investors known as venture capitalists.
Investment from venture capitalists can be more than money. In addition to cash, VCs often invest in the form of technical or managerial expertise. It’s not their first rodeo, so they can impart some wisdom.
Read MoreWhat Is a (Business) Line of Credit? /
Lately I’ve been working with a lot of small businesses that are growing rapidly. It’s awesome to watch this unfold, but one thing I’m learning quickly is growth comes has a cost. Whether you’re selling products, providing a service or manufacturing something, in order to grow, you need to invest in the business.
As I’m sure you’re painfully aware, business doesn’t happen in a neat timeline. Cash flow timing issues are very real. For example, there’s the furniture designer who is bringing on more staff, expanding to be a bigger storefront and signing new accounts. There’s the retailer who needs to make a purchase from the manufacturing company and the larger order comes at the best price. And then there’s wedding photographer who needs to pay her tax bill during the slow season. A line of credit may be an option to help bridge the gap.
Read MoreUnderstanding Credit Card Balance Transfers /
A balance transfer is when you pay off a higher interest credit card with a lower interest credit card. You're transferring the balance from one credit card to another. A lot people use this strategy with their personal finances to get out of credit card debt. Credit card companies will often advertise balance transfer deals where no interest will be charged for a certain period of time. For example 0% interest (APR) on balance transfers for 12 months. Sounds like a pretty good deal, right? It can be, but there are some things you should know before making the transfer.
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