I’m not a savvy business person. Not in the conventional sense.  I basically just go about my work and pay bills when they come in and don’t keep track of the money too closely.  That way I always have more than I think I’ll need.  I’ve never used a Quicken or Quickbooks type program to organize my finances, although I use a billing program (MYOB Plus 11) for my invoices to advertisers and other clients.  And I just discovered that my MYOB program can also help me keep track of my expenses and make it easy for me to get the info to my tax accountant each quarter.  I’m stoked!

I know probably every other small business on the planet already knows all this stuff, but I never really thought about it.  And my former bookkeeper didn’t tell me to do it differently, so I never did.  I never kept track of it myself, I just handed over check registers and bank statements and credit card statements each month and let them suss it all out. If you asked me how much I spent each month for gas or postage or land taxes the last several years, I wouldn’t have a clue without looking at my records.  I just didn’t see a need to retain that info.  A bill comes in, I want to continue that service, so I pay the bill.  I don’t compare it to is the price going up or down, can I get a better deal elsewhere, how much did it cost this time last year.   I just pay it and have more important things to think about.

I woke up about 4:00am and immediately came to the computer because my first thought was that my billing program would probably do what I wanted to do as far as organizing what I spend monthly and giving me reports about it.  Ok, now lots of you may be thinking, Andrea, that’s very 101 bookkeeping, everyone knows to do that.  Yeah, well, I never took the time to learn, just as I’ve never learned to use my Photoshop and other programs except for basic use.

One thing I really liked about getting my monthly bills in front of me so I can see what I have and what I have coming due, is having a chance to pre-pave ahead of time to have the amount I need, when I need it.

I really awoke thinking I should do the Think and Grow Rich process to prepave what I need by this time next month.  That was when I realized I didn’t know what that amount was. When I had a more tangible safety net, I didn’t care about the exact amount because I could always pull the money out of somewhere else in a pinch if I had to get something paid.  With the safety net no longer in place, I thought it was a good time to take inventory of what I’m working with. That was when it came to me that my MYOB program could figure it for me.  I figured my monthly amount needed (it took me like 4 hours…) and added an extra $2,000 on for luck.  Here is Napolean Hill’s Think and Grow Rich process, you may want to adapt it for yourself.

First. Go into some quiet spot (preferably in bed at night) where you will not be disturbed or interrupted, close your eyes, and repeat aloud, (so you may hear your own words) the written statement of the amount of money you intend to accumulate, the time limit for its accumulation, and a description of the service or merchandise you intend to give in return for the money.  As you carry out these instructions, see yourself already in possession of the money.  (Mine says:)

“By April 30, 2009, I will have in my possession $______, which will come to me in various amounts from time to time between now and then.   This money may come as a return on an investment, or an offer to purchase something I own, in payment for ad space, astrology reports, website creation, my mp3 files, or other products and services of which I am capable.

I believe that I will have this money in my possession. My faith is so strong that I can now see this money before my eyes. I can touch it with my hands. It is now awaiting transfer to me at the time, and in the proportion that I deliver the service I intend to render in return for it. I am awaiting a plan by which to accumulate this money, and I will follow that plan, when it is received.”

Second. Repeat this program night and morning until you can see, (in your imagination) the money you intend to accumulate.

Third. Place a written copy of your statement where you can see it night and morning, and read it just before retiring, and upon arising until it has been memorized.

Let me know how it goes.  You’ll be surprised by how this works just by choosing an amount and a date, and visualizing it twice daily.  I wrote more about this at Free Think & Grow Rich Action Summary.

Enjoy.

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