Years ago, as The Plumber's Wife, I jumped into the family business. I figured that my husband, Hotrod, would turn wrenches, I would answer the phone and pay bills, and we would get rich. Easy peasy, right? Wrong. We dug a deep hole of debt and struggled to make payroll. Of course, [...]
Financial Statements – The UN-Complicated Version! When I first learned how to read and use financial reports, I would assemble the information to show my partner and husband, Hot Rod, how we were doing. I’d cover his desk with pages and pages of financial reports. His eyes would glaze over. One day he [...]
The end of the year approaches. Time to assess progress and get ready for a fresh start and new year. NOW is the time to clean up your accounting messes. Like being physically fit, fiscal fitness requires a bit of focus and discipline. The numbers may not be way off. So you and [...]
Imagine…you discover the certified letter in your mailbox from the IRS, announcing you have been selected for an audit. No worries! Once upon a time, I made a “Slinky-knot” mess out of my QuickBooks™ file. Fear of an audit – and a growing pile of unpaid bills – encouraged me to get it sorted out. [...]
My rookie year… Once upon a time, I quit my real job (restaurant manager – good salary, benefits and someone to cover for me when I wasn’t around) and went to work for my husband, Hot Rod, in his contracting company. It was the dumbest decision I have ever made. It was hell. I left [...]
The following story is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. If you think this story is about you…you are probably right. The Martyr and The Intimidator Leslie is the owner of a roofing company, a business she inherited from her father. Back in the day, her father managed a small crew [...]
If you were driving 80 miles an hour, in the dark, with your lights off, heading towards a cliff, would you like someone to yell, "STOP?" OK. Stop! Do you produce financial reports – the balance sheet and income statement – every week? Do you analyze sales, costs, cash flow, and debt every week? If [...]
