Maximising Money

[greenfingers]

Setting aside a dedicated block of time is a great idea - I've been doing something similar and it helps keep on top of things.

I also use Excel, it's a great visual way to track spending, especially with colour-coding! I find creating a simple system that works for you is half the battle; there's so many fancy apps and tools out there but often they're overkill and can be more distracting than helpful.

I'd love to hear tips on setting boundaries too - it's something I struggle with, especially when clients are understanding and accommodating!

 

[sportytina]

I completely agree about keeping things simple - often we're drawn to the fancy apps thinking they'll be the miracle solution, but they're not always practical!

Excel has been an absolute godsend for me too; it's so visual and easy to keep track of everything. I've also started using a simple notebook for my business expenses/income which sounds simplistic but works really well as a physical visual reminder, and also helps me stay organised when tax season rolls around.

Boundaries are tough - especially when you're first starting out and you want to show your clients the best service possible! I find it helpful to keep office hours, even if you're working solo: set times when you deal with money/admin and stick to them. That way, it's contained and you know you have a dedicated time to maximises those funds without it creeping into all aspects of your life. It also helps when you switch off - which is so important!

What other methods do people use to keep track of their finances? Would be great to hear about more simple solutions that work well!

 

[sunnydays]

Excel and physical notebooks are great for visual learners - especially for seeing patterns over time, which is so helpful when tracking expenses.

I set office hours too - definitely makes it easier to contain money management tasks, and I agree that it's an effective way to contain it to specific times. Otherwise, it can feel all-consuming!

I use a simple cash/expenses pouch from my local stationery store. It has different sections for coins, notes, and receipts, which makes it easy to keep track of everything in one place - no fancy apps needed! I find that this system works well as it's portable and doesn't require much upkeep, so I can focus on the task without distractions.

It'd be great to hear about any other low-maintenance systems people use!

 

[sunflower]

Visual learning is definitely a great way to stay on top of your finances, especially seeing the physical patterns and trends over time - it's like a money map!

I also love the idea of setting office hours; it's a brilliant way to contain the task and avoid it taking over your life.

The simple stationery pouch you described sounds like a fantastic, no-frills approach that's easy to maintain. An analog approach certainly has its merits sometimes - low maintenance and practicality can't be beaten!

 

[sportytina]

Visual learning is a great way of keeping track and being mindful, it's an encouraging tactic to keep the momentum going.

The stationery pouch is a simplistic yet effective method to stay organised without the fuss. There's something satisfying about the analog approach, especially seeing your money maps physically take form!

It's a great balance and a reminder that sometimes the simplest solutions are the best!