My Organized Biz

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – Whether your head is in the sand, you’re quaking in nervous anticipation, or scoffing at the absurdity, 70% of economists agree that the U.S. is in a recession. In other words, our gross domestic product has had two successive quarters showing a loss rather than a gain.
Myself, I alternate between putting my nose to the grindstone and breaking out in a cold sweat. As a small business owner, I wonder how I’m going to keep afloat.
The good news is that no amount of worry will to change the way things are going. So what’s a savvy, organized business …read more

2 Comments

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – I’m happy to be featuring a second interview with Jessica Reagan Salzman who’s a top notch bookkeeper – and also a really nice person.
With time quickly elapsing toward April 15th, Jess and I talked about small businesses and what to do if you haven’t started yet.
Jen: Welcome, Jess! Everyone’s wondering – can a small business really get their taxes in on time at this date?
Jessica: If the business has a tax filing deadline of 4/15, yes – there is still time to get their taxes in on time. It’s possible. The biggest question I …read more

No Comments

Some great things are happening in the blog world – just in time to help you with your own tax preparation.
Kicking off the roundup is Shannon Cherry’s post about the five steps to surviving the tax season. Some great advice – plus a mini-interview with my favorite bookkeeper, Jessica Salzman.
Next, the TaxGirl gives suggestions for organizing your taxes this year. You won’t find better or wittier advice in the tax world!
Check out this post from Sharon McLoone at the Washington Post about How ‘07 Changes Affect Small Business. Definitely worth a read – looks like the US government is starting …read more

2 Comments

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – Are you stressed? Are you done already? They’re predictable as death and a source of dread for small business owners everywhere.
If you want support, Kelly Phillips Erb’s TaxGirl blog is your answer. Ask questions and get witty, useful suggestions that are easy to understand.
Here’s a great recent post she wrote about claiming medical and dental deductions.
The clock is ticking… How far have you gotten on your 2007 taxes?

No Comments

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – Everyone’s getting them: those rip-open envelopes announcing that the $600 carrot is dangling out there if you submit your 2007 tax return.
This isn’t a political blog so I won’t go into my opinion on this, um, turn of events (biting tongue). Whether you agree with this stimulus plan or not, there’s a pretty good chance a juicy check will be winging its way to you this spring.
It’s kind of exciting when I think about it. $600 in cash! It’s like winning a mini-lottery.
My Plan:
What I’ll probably do is something responsible and organized like spend some on rent …read more

11 Comments

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – If you’re running a business, Ren Garcia at Accounting Solver is your go-to guy when it comes to all things financial. He’s got some great suggestions this month about how to protect your vital documents.
Do you ever have those head-scratcher moments when you’re trying to remember which records you’re supposed to keep and for how long? I do! Gah! What’s a busy entrepreneur to do?
Well, check out this post of Ren’s – the first in a series – about financial recordkeeping. In Ren’s accountant style, he’ll give you details that are clear, non-nonsense, and easy to implement. Thank …read more

No Comments

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – Recently, I happened on an article on Martha Stewart’s site about what kinds of things to do every day that make life easier.
So, my variation on this theme is to share a list of things that, if business owners did them every day, work and life would be less chaotic and more enjoyable.
10. Check your appointment calendar the night before.
9. Neaten your space at the end of the day.
8. Empty your email box before you leave.
7. Sort and process your mail after you retrieve it.
6. Connect with an ally and supporter who gives you ideas and really listens.
5. …read more

2 Comments

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – Over at TaxGirl, you can participate in a poll about how your taxes are coming along. And if you say, “Taxes? Aren’t they due in April?” – you’ll find that you’re in good company!
Creating an organized business means that you can lovingly care for your financial health – including what’s owed to the government.
Today, I’m happy to be featuring an interview with Jessica Reagan Salzman, owner of Behind the Scenes LLC which does virtual business bookkeeping for people who are tired of being in the dark when it comes to money matters.
Jessica has also been called …read more

No Comments

Tip #21: Use Client Codes
In our office, we assign each client or customer a number. Sometimes, it’s just a regular number, like 156 – sometimes, there’s a trailing number as well like 156.01. There is a method to our madness.
But what are the perks exactly?
For one, I don’t always do my own filing. In the beginning of my practice, I spent a lot of time going through piles of papers where it was not clear to the person who was doing the filing where the papers actually belonged. This was especially confusing if there were …read more

1 Comment

Tip #19: Buy a Shredder
Long before we moved into our building, our neighbors found an interesting pile of boxes outside on the curb, put out for the trash. They were patients’ medical records from the prior tenant, a doctor who had moved on.
My guess is that the doctor did what most businesses did: he hoarded things that he could not bear to throw out until it completely overwhelmed him.
Why? Because, as a society, Americans in particular, hate to throw things out. And business owners are the worst. I think we hold onto things …read more

2 Comments