Resources

Following are links to a variety of resources and articles around the web. Many are related to personal budgeting and financial planning. The better you know and track your numbers, the better decisions you can make for your money and for your life. I will add to this list of resources as I come across things that may be of interest.

A Tax Appointment Planning Guide

As you are preparing for your annual appointment with me, please consider the following checklist. Although some of the items may not apply to you, please know that more information is better than less information.

Bookkeeping and Money Management Resources

YNAB stands for “You Need A Budget.” Which… you do! This is personal budgeting software for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It links to your bank accounts and allows you to track spending in addition to budgeting for future spending.

Online money management software. It links to your bank accounts and allows you to track where your money is being spent.

QuickBooks is the industry standard for bookkeeping. It can accommodate a variety of business types and can be customized as needed to any particular business. The software is sold as a desktop version or an online version.

Invoice and Accounting Software for Small Businesses. This is an alternate to QuickBooks and is specifically built for service-based businesses.

Money Planning for Couples

Disagreements about money can be a big reason couples fight and even get divorced. The more you share and talk about money things, the more set up for success your relationship can be. Here are some concrete, practical things you can do to ensure a relationship success.

When planning my own wedding several years ago, I found this blog to be really helpful for reasonable perspective and sane advice about planning a wedding. Plus there was a community of whip smart people in the comment section. I recommend the whole website to my newly engaged or wedding planning clients.

Here are a few specific links I find helpful for conversations about combining finances:

Being financially healthy can be within reach. This video reviews 4 “secrets” for couples who are financially health.

This is a podcast about tackling building a marriage and wealth together. It’s great for thinking about ways to work on financial issues together with your partner. These may include paying off debt, saving for a child’s college education and retirement.

YNAB stands for “You Need A Budget.” Which… you do! This is personal budgeting software for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It links to your bank accounts and allows you to track spending in addition to budgeting for future spending.

Online money management software. It links to your bank accounts and allows you to track where your money is being spent.

Business Planning - Practical

QuickBooks is the industry standard for bookkeeping. It can accommodate a variety of business types and can be customized as needed to any particular business. The software is sold as a desktop version or an online version.

Invoice and Accounting Software for Small Businesses. This is an alternate to QuickBooks and is specifically built for service-based businesses.

The podcast is great, plus there is a whole website of resources for business owners. I think their CEO Day Kit can be worth the money – if you’re prepared to do the work to really get in front of running your business. It’s a great way to work ON the business, in addition to IN the business.

An article I wrote to explain what self employment taxes are and why the tax bill can feel so expensive.

Another article I wrote – outlining ways to plan for paying your self employment taxes.

Outlines the importance of developing a record retention policy for your business. Also provides list of different business records and the timelines for retaining them.

You may want to think twice before forming an LLC, especially in California. Please read this letter if you are thinking about forming an LLC, and let us please have a conversation to review your specific situation.

You should collect one of these from any subcontractors you pay more than $600 to in the course of the year. This will give you the information you need to issue a 1099 to the subcontractor.

Business Planning - Inspirational

Deep dive into individual businesses going through the start up process. There are several businesses that have been profiled. The original season follows Gimlet Media, the maker of the podcast and many others and the episodes are great.

Interesting interviews with entrepreneurs and business leaders.

More

Includes storage guidelines for various personal records.

Ideas for money moves to make in your 30s for lifelong financial success.

For people in their 30’s, things to consider when you have some assets and are starting to think toward building more serious wealth.

America’s leading personal finance expert, hooked on helping you live your richest, most fulfilling life.

If you are considering hiring a nanny or other caregiver who comes into your home to provide care to children or an elderly person, you should be aware of the rules around household employees. There are complex issues tax issues involved, including the need to pay certain payroll taxes and possibly do withholding on what you pay the caregivers