< HOMEPAGE
|
10 Easy Ways To Organize Your Business Finances
Whether you are a new entrepreneur or a more experienced
business owner, taking control of your finances can feel like a
part-time job. Some simple tips can help you streamline your
time, organize your finances and reduce the stress of business
money matters.
1. Keep Your Bills in One Place
When the mail comes, make sure it goes in one place. Misplaced
bills can be the cause of unwanted late fees and can damage your
credit rating. Whether it's a drawer, a box, or a file, be
consistent. Size is also important. If you get a lot of mail,
use an area that won't get filled up too quickly.
2. Pay Your Bills on Schedule
Bill paying can be simplified if it's done at scheduled times
during the month. Depending on how many bills you receive, you
can establish set times each month when none of your bills will
be late. If you're paying bills as you receive them, chances are
you're spending too much time in front of the checkbook.
Although bills may state "Payable Upon Receipt", there's always
a grace period. Call the creditor to find out when they need to
receive payment before the bill is considered late.
3. Read Your Credit Card Statements
Most people take advantage of low interest credit card offers
but never read their statements when paying the bill. Credit
cards are notorious for using low interest as bait for new
customers then switching to higher rates after a few months.
Make a habit of looking at your statement carefully to see what
interest rate you are paying each month and if any transaction
fees have been applied. If the rate increases or a transaction
fee appears on your statement, a simple call to the credit card
company can oftentimes be beneficial in resolving the matter. If
not, try to switch your money to a more favorable rate.
4. Take Advantage of Automatic Payments
Most banks offer a way to automatically deduct money from your
account to pay creditors. In addition, the creditors usually
offer a lower interest rate when you sign up for this payment
option because they get their money faster and on-time. Consider
it as one fewer check to write, envelope to lick and stamp to
buy. Just make sure you record the deduction when the automatic
payment is scheduled or you run the risk of bouncing other
checks.
5. Computerize Your Checkbook
Using a software program is a handy way to organize your
finances. Whether it's Quicken(r), Microsoft Money(r) or another
package, these easy-to-use programs make bill paying and bank
reconciliation a cinch. Computer checks can be ordered almost
anywhere and fit right into most printers. Once the checks are
printed, all of the information is automatically recorded in
your electronic checkbook. Furthermore, many banks have direct
downloads into these software packages so when money is
deposited or withdrawn, the transaction is entered immediately
onto your computer. And, when it comes time to do taxes, it
couldn't be easier.
6. Get Overdraft Protection
Most banks have a service where, if you run the risk of bouncing
a check, the money will come from another source. For a nominal
fee, the bank will link your checking account to either a
savings, money market, or credit card so the embarrassment of
bouncing a check will be avoided. Call or visit your bank to
learn about this convenient feature.
7. Cancel Unused Accounts
Whether it's a credit card or bank account, write a letter
requesting that the account is formally closed. Not only will
this improve your credit score, it is a useful way to avoid
money from being scattered all over the place. Don't let
department stores and credit card companies lure you into
opening new accounts by offering favorable interest rates and
purchase discounts. It's easy for credit to get out of hand by
taking advantage of every credit offer that comes your way.
8. Consolidate Your Accounts
If you have several credit card accounts with outstanding
balances, try to consolidate them into one. Be careful and check
the balance transfer interest rates and one-time fees. Also,
make a list of all your open Money Markets, Savings, CDs, IRAs,
Mutual Funds, and other accounts to see if any consolidation can
be done. Keeping your money in fewer places eliminates all of
the guesswork involved and reduces errors.
9. Establish Automatic Savings
Create a link from your checking account into a savings account
that will not be touched. This can usually be done through the
banks and automatic amounts will be transferred over each month.
Most people will not put money into a savings account on a
regular basis. They may wait until a large tax refund check
arrives or some other event to actually deposit money into
savings, retirement or other accounts. If you establish an
automatic savings deposit every month, your accounts will begin
accumulating money faster than you think.
10. Clean up Your Files
Make sure your paid bills are organized in a filing cabinet.
Keep individual files for paid bills. Go through your files at
the end of each year and throw out bills and receipts no longer
needed for auditing purposes. Contact your local IRS office to
see how long records need to be kept for audits. Usually federal
tax return audits can be done three years back but cancelled
checks may need to be kept for seven. Consult the Internet for
auditing and records-keeping procedures for your state or region.
(c) 2005 DebtGuru.com(r). This article may be freely distributed
as long as the signature file and active link are included.
About the author:
Michael G. Peterson is the Vice President of American Credit
Foundation, an IRS 501 (c)(3) non-profit consumer credit
counseling organization that has assisted thousands of
individuals and families with their financial situations through
seminars, education, counseling services, and, debt management
plans. For more information, and free consumer resources visit
http://www.debtguru.com.
Written by: Michael G. Peterson
NAVIGATION
1st And 2nd Mortgage Refinance Loan
1st And 2nd Mortgage Refinance Loan Why Refinance Both Mortgages
4 Good Reasons to Get a Refinance Home Loan
A College Loan Will Finance Your Education
A Fresh Start for Family Finances in 2005
A Good Credit Report The Key To Cheap Finance
A Guide to Bad Credit Finance Options
A Mortgage Refinance with Bad Credit The Pros and Cons
Adverse Credit Remortgage Refinance at Better Terms
Adverse debt levels blight UK consumers personal finances
Alternative Venture Finance Federal Grants and Loans
Are You Having Sleepless Nights Because Of Your Finances
Are you so desperate for a home loan that you are stretching your finances too far
Ask the Expert When do I Refinance My Home
Auto Refinance
Auto Refinance Secrets Refinance Your Car Loan And Save Every Month
Auto Refinancing Guide How to Refinance Your Car Loan
Bad Credit A Personal Finance Nightmare
Bad Credit Auto Loan Refinance Bad Credit Auto Refinance Tips
Bad Credit Auto Loan Refinance Tips To Increase Your Odds Of Getting Approved
Bad Credit Home Mortgage Refinance Should You Refinance
Bad Credit Mortgage Refinance
Bad Credit Mortgage Refinance Should I Shouldn t I
Bad Credit Mortgage Refinancing Refinance High Interest Mortgage With Poor Credit
Bad Credit Refinance 101 The Hows and The Whats
Bad Credit Refinance Loans Finding a Good Lender
Bad Credit With Poor Credit You Can Still Refinance Or Get A Home Equity Line Of Credit
Basic Tips on Personal Finance
Become a Certified Success in the World of Business and Finance
Benefits of Personal Finance Software
Best Finance Guide
Bridging Finance Basics
Bugs Finance offers phoenix commercial mortgage loan
Business Finance Expert Series Comparing Factoring to Other Financing Options
Business Finance Expert Series The History of Factoring
Business Finance Expert Series What Every Business Owner Needs to Know About Factoring
Business Loans A Source of Finance for your Business
Business Start Up Loan Script Your Own Success Story With the Right Finance Method
Buying A Car What Is The Best Finance
Buying a Spanish Property How Do You Finance It
California Refinance Refinancing in California
Can you afford Not to look After your Personal Finances
Car Finance
Car Finance Company Basics
Car Finance Loan When you can t just wait to buy a car
Car Finance Places You On The Top Gear While Buying a Car
Car Loan Refinancing When To Refinance Your Car Loan
Cash Out Refinance
Cash Out Refinance Home Equity Mortgage Loan or Cash Out Refinance
Cash Out Refinance Mortgage Loans Home Equity 2nd Mortgage Or Cash Out Refinance Loan
Cash Out Refinance Things To Know About Refinancing Your Mortgage To Get Cash Out
Cash out refinance Turning lemons into lemonade
Childcare Finances Some Money Basics
Commercial Collections Business Finance Booster Shot
Considering a Mortgage Refinance
Create and Maintain a Budget Finance 101
Credit Card Hazards That Can Cripple Your Finances
Credit Report Scores Why it is important for your finances
Debt Consolidation Refinance Loans A Great Way To Lower Your Bills
Deciding if the Time Is Right to Refinance
Deciding Upon a Refinance Lender
Deciding Whether to Refinance a Mortgage Loan
Deducting Points On Home Refinances
Defrazzle Your Finances
DIRECTORY OF FINANCE ARTICLES
Divorced And Cheated Out Of The Family Finances How Smart Divorce Lawyers Are Ruining Women
Do You Need a Mortgage Refinance Loan
Doing A California Refinance Online
DON T LET FINANCES RULE OVER YOUR SELF ESTEEM
Educate Yourself To Amazing Car Finance
Email Scams Ten Simple Steps To Protecting Your Online Finances
Escaping Finance
Ethical Finance Who Benefits From Our Spending
Family Finance
Family Finance Beyond RRSPs
FHA Home Mortgage Purchase Or Refinance Loan Why You Might Consider Getting An FHA Loan
Finance and Divorce
Finance And Lifestyle Are They Interlinked
Finance Forums UK Finance Forum Finance Message Boards Business Finance Forums Online Finance Advice UK
Finance guide basics
Finance is for Everyone
Finance Jobs Finance Career
Finance Tips
Finance Your Car With Poor Credit
Finance Your Real Estate Investment Properties
Finance Your Small Business So Much Money So Little Time
Finances for the Freelancer
Finding a Mortgage Refinance Advisor
Finding the Best Mortgage Refinance Rate
Finding the Right Time to Refinance a Loan
Five Tips to Slash Your Home Finance Costs
Florida Refinance Refinancing in Florida
Foster Home Uses Pay Option Mortgage Loan For California Refinance
General Personal Finance Advice
Get a better mortgage refinance deal than your local bank offers
Get control of your finances
Get The Finance You Need With UK Secured Homeowner Loan
Get The Right Car Finance
Getting Business Finance
Getting the Government to Help Finance your Home Based Business
Getting Your Finances Ready for a SSD Case
Getting Your Finances Ready for your SSD case II
Give your finance woes the blessing of an unsecured loan
Giving Finances a Breather Through Loans for Unemployed
Handle Your Personal Finance Easily
Have you ever considered Bridging Finance
His And Her Finances
Home Equity Loan Refinance Important Facts
Home Loan Mortgage Loan Refinance Refinancing For A Shorter Term To Save Money
Home Loan Refinance Online Benefits To Refinancing Online
Home Mortgage Loan Refinance Benefits To Refinancing Your House Online
Home Mortgage Loan Refinance Refinancing A Fixed Rate Mortgage
Home Mortgage Reasons To Refinance Your House
Home Mortgage Refinancing should I refinance
Home Mortgage Refinancing Things To Consider When Looking To Get Cash Out On A Refinance
Home Mortgages and Refinances
Home Refinance Closing Costs Things You Should Know
Home Refinance Why You Want to Refinance Your Mortgage
How and Why to Refinance Your Mortgage
How Banks Can Help You Improve Your Personal Finance
How online Surveys Financed my First Web Site
How Small Businesses Can Outperform Well financed Competitors
How To Choose The Right Havanese For You
How to clean up your personal finances
How to Finance a Business
How to finance a business for your Son or Daughter
How To Finance A New Extension
How to Finance a New Extention
How To Finance A New Kitchen
How to Finance a Small Business
How to Finance and Build Your Dream Home
How to Finance or Refinance a Motorcycle Loan
How to finance your business when the bank says No
How To Finance Your Dream Car
How to Finance your Medical Office Medical Supply or Medical Testing Company
How To Find Low Home Mortgage Refinance Rates While Rates Are Rising
How to Obtain a Bad Credit Home Loan or Refinance with Bad Credit
How to Refinance Your Home
How to Select the Best Factoring Finance Company for your Business
How to Select the Best Invoice Factoring Finance Company for your Business
How to use freight bill factoring to finance your trucking company
How you can use Rehab Refinance and Cash Out as a long term wealth building Real Estate Investing strategy
Instant Loans Cash Keeps Finance in Order Till the Next Financial Replenishment
Insurance Fuel And Personal Finance In The UK Following Recent World Catastrophes
Invoice Factoring Hot to finance growth without debt or banks
Is Now A Good Time To Refinance Your Home Loan
Is the Havanese the right Puppy for you
J G Wentworth Forecast Consumers Expected to Increase Sales of Annuities They Hold in 2006 Continuing 3 Year Trend in Personal Finance
Keeping Your Business s Finances on Track
kentucky refinance mortgage loan
Know Thy Finances
Life insurance wise investment in personal finance or excessive caution
Like it or Not Finance Matters a Lot
Lions and loans why finance should always be personal
Loans for self employed creating finance opportunities for a group long ignored
Low Credit Score Mortgage Refinance Refinance Loans For All Credit Types
Lowest Interest Rate Mortgage Refinance Loans 3 Ways To Get A Low Rate Refinance
Making Money in Equity Finance
Managing Finances As A Couple What Is Best
Managing Finances for a Better Credit Rating
Managing Your Finances During a Crisis
Managing Your Finances Once Married
Marriage Finances 101
Men Women and Their Finances
Money Doesn t Finance Dreams
Moneynet adds weight to intelligent finance with new personal finance product guides
Moneynet tackles funding university with new student finance guide
Moneynet Takes Finance Personally
Mortgage Brokers For Home Loan Refinance Refinance Online
Mortgage Loan Information Know The Basics When You Refinance or Purchase a Home
Mortgage Refinance 4 Ways To Know It s Time to Refinance Your House
Mortgage Refinance After Bankruptcy
Mortgage Refinance Quote Offers Flexibility to Homeowners
Mortgage Refinance Tips To Help You Cut Fees And Costs
Need Extra Money Refinance or Equity Line of Credit Which is Right for You
New Website Launched for Consumer Finance and Education
New York Refinance Refinancing in New York
Non homeowner loans creating a source of finance for the homeless
Online Mortgage Refinance Quotes Tips To Finding A Better Rate
Online Mortgage Refinance Quotes What some lenders may not want you to know
Online Surveys Financed My First Website
Organize Your Finances Thinking Outside The Shoe Box
Organizing Your Finances Show Me MY Money What You re Worth or net Worth
Pay off debt now 5 steps to getting your finances in order
Payday Loans Personal Finance Savior Or Disaster
Personal Finance 101
Personal Finance 101 Credit Checks
Personal finance have consumers had a belly full of personal debt
Personal Finance Isn t Rocket Science So There s No Need To Stick Your Head In The Sand
Personal finance why you should compare not despair
Personal Finance Worries
Personal Finance Worries Debt
Poor Credit Mortgage Refinance Getting Approved
Poor Credit Mortgage Refinance Refinancing Your Home After Your Credit Score Has Dropped
Protecting Your Finances While Dealing With Your Divorce
Quick Books and Finances
Real Estate Investing start with getting your own finances under control
Reconstructing Your Finances Before And After Bankruptcy
Refi Home Mortgage Loans How Soon Can You Refinance An Adjustable Rate Mortgage
Refinance
Refinance Advisor Online What To Ask Before You Sign When Refinancing
Refinance After Bankruptcy
Refinance After Bankruptcy Applying For A Refi Loan After A Chapter 7
Refinance Benefits Refinancing Could Save You Money
Refinance Car Loan Apply Online For Fast Quotes
Refinance Car Loan Secrets Revealed
Refinance Car Loans Refinancing Your Car Loan Online Is Convenient
Refinance home distilling cash by renewing home loan
Refinance Home Equity Line Of Credit Benefits Of Refinancing Home Equity Line Of Credit
Refinance Home Loan and Refinance Home Loans
Refinance Home Loan What You Must Know Today
Refinance Home Mortgage Loan With Poor Credit 3 Tips On Getting Approved
Refinance Mortgage Lenders Finding The Best Refinance Lender
Refinance Mortgage Lenders Prime Lenders Vs Sub Prime Lenders
Refinance mortgage loan
Refinance Mortgage Loan Tips on Refinancing Your Home Mortgage
Refinance Mortgage or Not
Refinance Mortgage Rate and Mortgage Rates
Refinance Online
Refinance Or Not That Is The Question
Refinance questions you should ask yourself
Refinance Quote Get The Best Refinance Quotes You Can Get
Refinance Rental Property Don t Sell It
Refinance Student Loans How and Why
Refinance To Save Your Hard Earned Pounds
Refinance With Bad Credit
Refinance Your Car Loan 3 Tips For Refinancing Your Auto Loan Online
Refinance Your Fha Home Mortgage Loan Refinancing With The Streamline Process
Refinance Your Home Equity Loan
Refinance Your Home Mortgage Online
Refinance Your House
Refinance Your Mortgage To Rebuild Credit
Refinance Your Mortgage You Could Save Thousands Or More Dollars Over Time
Refinance Your Property Online
Refinance Your RV Loan and Save Thousands
Refinance Your Second Mortgage
Refinancing Online Get The Best Refinance Home Loan You Can Get
Refinancing Your Home Loan When Should You Refinance Your Home
Refinancing Your Home Mortgage Loan Refinance Your Adjustable Rate Mortgage
Refinancing Your House How To Know Whether To Refinance Or Get A Second Mortgage
Rental Property Refinance Don t Sell
Resolve to Improve Your Finances in 2004
SAFELY FINANCE YOUR CHILD S UNIVERSITY STUDIES USING AN EDUCATION IRA
Save Money and Learn More About Your Finances
Save Thousands On Finance Charges Without Marrying Your Banker
Second Mortgage Home Equity vs Refinance
Secured Homeowner Loans Secures an opportunity to finance needs inexpensively
Secured Personal Loans Employ the Right Kind of Finance
Selecting An Equity Finance Consultant
Self Employed Loans Ideal source of finance for self employed
Shopping for a Personal Loan to Suit Your Finances
Short on cash Finance the Mortgage Points
Should I Refinance
Should I Refinance With My Current Lender
Should you choose to refinance
Should You Consider Home Refinance or Not
Should you refinance
Sisters are insuring themselves how finance is the new feminism
Six Ways Under Your Nose To Finance Your Home Based Business
Six Ways Under Your Nose To Finance Your Home Business
Social Housing Finance for Housing the Poor
Sometimes the best deal isn t the right deal when it s time to refinance your home
STOP DO NOT RE FINANCE YOUR HOME UNTIL YOU READ THIS ARTICLE
Stress Management Tip Take Control of your Finances
Students investing in their future need to manage their finances today
Take The Mystery Out Of Finances And Simplify Your Life
Taking control of your finances
The Advantages of Refinance
The changing shape of family finances
The Cost Of Refinancing What Costs To Expect When You Refinance Your Home Mortgage Loan
The Havanese Puppy Where did it all Start Part 1
The Havanese Puppy Where did it all start Part 2
The Inferno of the Finance Director
The Question Is To Refinance or Not
The Shadowy World of International Finance
The Truth About Home Refinance Loans Avoiding Potential Pitfalls
The Truth Behind Auto Finance
the truth behind your FINANCES
The World is Not Enough Calling for a More Ethical Approach to Personal Finance
The Wright Place Finances
Tips on How to Refinance
To Refinance or Not That Is The Question
Top 10 Ways to Jumpstart your New Year s Finances
Understanding Basic Finance Terms
Understanding Bridging Finance
Understanding Finance To Make Your Life Easier
Understanding UK Bridging Finance
Unique homes hard to finance
University Life a course in personal finance
Unsecured Business Loans Earn finance without a clause of collateral
Unsecured Business Loans Fuel your business with a low cost finance
Urban Hyena Finance Ravages Opposition
Use Homeowner personal loans to finance your needs the secured way
Use Real Estate Loans To Finance A Commercial or Residential Property
Use Tax Credits To Help Finance Your College Education
Use Your Yellow Page Savings to Finance Your Internet Local Search Visibility
Using A Mortgage Refinance Company Online
Using Equity to Finance Home Repairs
Using the internet to manage your family s finance
Want a cheaper finance for your vehicle Try secured automobile loans
Want to find the Perfect Dog for your home Then the Havanese might just be the puppy you re looking for
War of the Worlds Student Finance versus Life
Wedding Loans Perfect Finance Option for a Perfect Wedding
What Home Refinance does for you
What is Bridging Finance
What s The Truth Behind Your Finances
What To Expect From A Havanese
WHEN IS IT RIGHT TO REFINANCE
When is the right time to refinance your mortgage
When to get an Auto Refinance Loan
Where and How to find Financed Notes
Where to Get a Loan Consumer finance companies
Where to Get Your Online Finance Degree
Why Refinance Back into a 30 Year Loan
WHY REFINANCE YOUR HOME
Why should I refinance
Why Talk about Your Finances to Strangers
Why You Should Read Personal Finance Blogs
Why You Should Refinance Your Credit Card
Will You Qualify for that New Mortgage or Re Finance
Wish You Could Finance Your Studies
Your Competitors Offer Leasing Finance you should ask yourself WHY
Your Finances
|