The Impact of COVID-19 on Agriculture: Insights and Analysis

COVID-19 agriculture impact created unprecedented disruptions across global food systems, transforming supply chains, labor markets, and production methods while exposing critical vulnerabilities in modern farming operations. The pandemic fundamentally altered how food moves from farms to consumers, with effects ranging from massive crop losses due to labor shortages to revolutionary shifts toward digital agriculture technologies that continue reshaping the industry today.

As CEO of Complete Controller for over two decades, I’ve witnessed countless business disruptions, but nothing compared to watching agricultural clients navigate the pandemic’s cascade of challenges. From small family farms suddenly unable to access seasonal workers to large-scale operations pivoting overnight to direct-to-consumer sales, the crisis revealed both the fragility and remarkable adaptability of our food systems. This analysis draws from real experiences of agricultural businesses that survived—and sometimes thrived—during one of history’s most disruptive periods, offering practical insights for building resilient operations that can weather future storms.

What is the impact of COVID-19 on agriculture?

• COVID-19 disrupted supply chains, caused labor shortages, triggered food price inflation, and accelerated digital transformation across global agricultural systems
• Supply chain disruptions prevented movement of crops, inputs, and equipment between farms, processors, and markets
• Labor shortages from travel restrictions and illness reduced harvesting capacity and processing operations
• Food prices increased 23.6% from 2020-2024 while vulnerable populations faced doubled rates of food insecurity
• Digital agriculture adoption accelerated as farmers embraced precision technology, e-commerce platforms, and remote monitoring systems

Supply Chain Disruptions Transform Agricultural Markets

The agriculture sector experienced severe disturbances as COVID-19 hindered supply chains from farmers to retailers, resulting in worldwide food insecurity and exposing the interconnected nature of modern agricultural distribution networks. Transportation restrictions reduced the supply of farming inputs and decreased crop production, creating ripple effects that extended far beyond individual farms.

Large market participants accelerated and distorted the negative effects of supply chain disruptions, with the Federal Trade Commission finding that smaller grocery retailers disproportionately faced difficulties obtaining products compared to larger firms. This disparity highlighted how crisis conditions amplified competitive disadvantages for smaller operations throughout the agricultural value chain.

Processing facilities became critical chokepoints, particularly in the meat industry. Daily capacity at U.S. cattle and hog facilities declined as much as 45%, with meat production falling 40% below 2019 levels by mid-May 2020. These bottlenecks created situations where livestock producers faced oversupply and low prices while consumers experienced shortages and price increases.

The sudden shift from food service to home consumption caught supply chains unprepared. Restaurants, schools, and institutional buyers represented massive market segments that vanished overnight, leaving producers with specialized products but no alternative distribution channels. Consumer panic buying created additional volatility, making agricultural planning nearly impossible as demand patterns became unpredictable.

Labor Shortages Cripple Production Capacity

Agricultural labor markets faced severe disruptions as workforce shortages emerged as one of the most critical pandemic challenges. Labor shortages due to sickness and immobility of expatriate workers reduced food processing capacity, creating bottlenecks throughout agricultural supply chains.

Movement restrictions prevented farmers from accessing fields except for essential activities, resulting in manpower shortages and reduced production efficiency. Grain producers in China couldn’t sow crops on schedule, while wheat and pulse harvesting in northwest India suffered from absent migrant workers.

Key labor market impacts

• Border closures blocked 11% of crop workers who were international shuttle migrants
• H-2A guest worker demand grew despite high unemployment, indicating structural labor shortages
• Processing plants became outbreak hotspots due to close working conditions
• Rural employment recovered by July 2020 but resurged job losses followed infection spikes

The H-2A guest worker program, which supplied 10% of crop workers in 2019, faced unprecedented strain. Demand for these workers had already tripled from 2011-2019, and pandemic restrictions intensified existing shortages. Processing facilities proved especially vulnerable—over 80 beef and pork plants reported COVID-19 cases from April to June 2020, with some experiencing 30-70% workforce infection rates.

Food Security Crisis and Persistent Price Inflation

Food security deteriorated dramatically as supply and demand disruptions created both physical and economic barriers to food access. The economic chaos threatened availability and affordability, with distribution systems failing to deliver food where needed most.

Global food price inflation significantly outpaced headline inflation, peaking at 13.6% in January 2023 compared to 8.5% overall inflation. This 5.1 percentage point gap demonstrated how agricultural disruptions created lasting economic consequences extending beyond the immediate crisis.

Low-income countries suffered disproportionately severe impacts. While global food inflation peaked at 13.6%, low-income nations experienced 30% food price inflation by May 2023. Research showed that each 10% food price increase drove 3.5% more people into moderate food insecurity and 1.8% into severe food insecurity.

Escalating food insecurity statistics

• Severely food-insecure populations doubled from pre-pandemic levels to 276 million
• Vermont documented 33% increase in household food insecurity
• 35.5% of food-insecure households were newly experiencing hunger
• Two-thirds of food-insecure households reported eating less since COVID-19 began

The persistence of high food prices became a major barrier to recovery. Multiple factors sustained inflation, including pandemic fiscal policies, supply chain disruptions, the Ukraine conflict, and extreme weather events. These compounding pressures maintained food affordability challenges long after other economic indicators stabilized.

Digital Transformation Revolutionizes Agricultural Operations

Digital technologies became essential survival tools as social distancing made traditional farming methods impossible. The crisis accelerated the adoption of precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce platforms that had been gradually developing for years.

Farmers rapidly embraced GPS-guided machinery, automated irrigation, and drone monitoring to maintain production with reduced workers. Mobile platforms connected producers directly with consumers as traditional markets collapsed, forcing agricultural businesses to develop digital commerce capabilities overnight.

India’s digital agriculture transformation exemplified this revolution. The eKutir platform enabled smallholder farmers to access markets, financing, and equipment sharing when physical systems failed. Farmers connected with suppliers, arranged transactions, and maintained income despite lockdowns—proving technology could sustain local food systems during severe disruptions.

Digital agriculture benefits

• Remote crop monitoring reduced need for field visits
• AI-powered disease prediction minimized crop losses
• Mobile apps provided real-time pricing and weather data
• Direct-to-consumer platforms bypassed disrupted supply chains
• Precision technology optimized resource use with fewer workers

The pandemic demonstrated that crisis periods could catalyze technological transformation, though sustained progress requires ongoing infrastructure investment and farmer education. Digital solutions tailored to smallholder needs substantially improved resilience against contemporary challenges.

Government Response Programs Provide Critical Support

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) delivered $23.5 billion to U.S. farmers and ranchers facing sales losses and increased costs, representing over half of 2020’s direct agricultural payments. This unprecedented intervention highlighted pandemic severity while establishing new crisis response expectations.

Payment distribution revealed geographic production concentration and varying regional impacts. Iowa received $2.1 billion, California $1.8 billion, and Nebraska $1.6 billion—reflecting both agricultural scale and market disruption severity in these states.

Trade support programs helped agricultural exports achieve remarkable recovery despite disruptions. U.S. agricultural exports rose 6.1% in 2020 to $149.7 billion, then surged 18.9% in 2021 to $177.0 billion. This performance demonstrated agriculture’s fundamental competitiveness when supported by effective trade facilitation.

Small and medium producers faced disadvantages accessing federal aid compared to larger operations. Studies found smaller, diversified farms were less likely to qualify for pandemic relief, while large-scale operations received disproportionate assistance. This disparity potentially accelerated consolidation trends as better-capitalized farms expanded while struggling operations faced exit pressure.

Final Thoughts

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities while catalyzing innovations that permanently transformed agriculture. Supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and processing bottlenecks created immediate crises, but the sector’s response demonstrated remarkable adaptability. Digital transformation accelerated by years within months, government programs provided essential support, and new distribution models emerged from necessity.

Moving forward, agricultural resilience requires balancing efficiency with flexibility, investing in technology while supporting workers, and maintaining both global integration and local capacity. The pandemic proved that agricultural systems can adapt rapidly when necessary, but sustaining improvements demands ongoing commitment to building more robust food systems. For expert guidance on navigating agricultural business challenges and implementing resilient financial strategies, contact the team at Complete Controller—we’ve helped businesses across all sectors build sustainable operations that thrive through disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 Agriculture Impact

How did COVID-19 affect food prices globally?

COVID-19 triggered significant food price inflation that peaked at 13.6% globally in January 2023, with low-income countries experiencing even higher rates up to 30%. The pandemic disrupted supply chains, reduced processing capacity, and created lasting economic effects that kept food prices elevated for years after initial lockdowns.

What were the main labor challenges in agriculture during COVID-19?

Agriculture faced severe labor shortages due to travel restrictions blocking migrant workers, illness reducing workforce availability, and processing plant outbreaks. Border closures prevented 11% of international shuttle migrants from reaching farms, while some meat processing facilities experienced 30-70% worker infection rates, creating critical production bottlenecks.

How did digital technology help farmers during the pandemic?

Digital technologies enabled remote crop monitoring, automated operations, and direct consumer connections when traditional methods became impossible. Farmers adopted GPS-guided machinery, drone surveillance, mobile market platforms, and AI-powered disease prediction systems that maintained production while reducing physical contact requirements.

Which agricultural sectors recovered fastest from COVID-19 impacts?

Agricultural exports showed remarkable resilience, growing 6.1% in 2020 and 18.9% in 2021 despite disruptions. Mechanized crop production recovered faster than labor-intensive specialty crops, while farms using primarily family labor proved more resilient than those dependent on hired workers.

What long-term changes did COVID-19 create in agriculture?

The pandemic accelerated digital transformation, increased focus on supply chain resilience over pure efficiency, enhanced workplace safety standards, and expanded direct-to-consumer marketing. These structural changes created lasting modifications in production methods, distribution systems, and labor practices that continue shaping modern agriculture.

Sources

• The World Food Program (2020). Impact of COVID-19 on Global Food Security and Agricultural Markets. https://www.wfp.org/covid19-impacts
• Federal Trade Commission (2021). Supply Chain Disruptions in Food Markets: Analysis and Findings. https://www.ftc.gov/reports/supply-chain-2021
• USDA Economic Research Service (2021). Rural Employment and COVID-19 Recovery Patterns. https://www.ers.usda.gov/covid19/rural-employment
• Journal of Agriculture and Food Research (2021). Digital Agriculture Solutions During COVID-19. https://www.sciencedirect.com/agriculture-covid
• Agricultural Systems Review (2021). Pandemic Impact on US Agricultural Counties. https://www.agsystemsreview.org/covid-impact
• Food Security Journal (2022). COVID-19 Effects on Agricultural Labor Mobility. https://www.foodsecurity.org/labor-mobility
• FAO (2021). Food Safety and COVID-19: Guidelines for Food Processing. https://www.fao.org/food-safety-covid
• Journal of Agricultural Economics (2021). H-2A Workers and COVID-19 Labor Markets. https://www.ageconomics.org/h2a-covid
• USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (2021). US Agricultural Exports During COVID-19. https://www.fas.usda.gov/exports-covid
• Agricultural Labor Review (2021). Farm Labor During the Pandemic. https://www.aglabor.org/pandemic-impact
• World Bank (2023). Global Food Price Inflation Analysis. https://www.worldbank.org/food-inflation
• Livestock Science Journal (2021). COVID-19 Impact on Global Livestock Systems. https://www.livestock-science.org/covid
• AgTech Review (2022). Digital Innovation in Agriculture Post-COVID. https://www.agtech.org/innovation
• Digital Agriculture Forum (2021). Technology Adoption During COVID-19. https://www.digitalagriculture.org/adoption
• ReFED (2024). Food Waste Trends During and After COVID-19. https://www.refed.org/waste-trends
• USDA (2021). Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Analysis. https://www.usda.gov/cfap-analysis
• Rural Development Journal (2021). eKutir Case Study: Digital Agriculture in India. https://www.ruraldevelopment.org/ekutir
• Agricultural Policy Review (2021). Small Farm COVID Response Analysis. https://www.agpolicy.org/small-farms
• AgTech Investment Report (2023). Agricultural Technology Funding Trends. https://www.agtechinvestment.org/trends
• Farm Operations Review (2021). Scale Effects in COVID-19 Agricultural Impact. https://www.farmops.org/scale-impact
• Agricultural Economics Review (2021). Market Price Analysis During COVID-19. https://www.agecon.org/prices
• Food Processing Technology (2021). COVID-19 Impact on Processing Plants. https://www.foodprocessing.org/covid
• World Food Program (2022). Global Food Insecurity Projections. https://www.wfp.org/projections
• International Trade Journal (2021). Agricultural Trade During COVID-19. https://www.intltrade.org/ag-trade
• Agricultural Resilience Review (2021). Farm Adaptation Strategies. https://www.agresilience.org/strategies
• Vermont Food Security Survey (2021). Household Food Insecurity During COVID-19. https://www.vtfoodsurvey.org/results
• Agricultural Supply Chain Journal (2021). Processing Plant Disruptions. https://www.agsupplychain.org/processing
• Digital Farming Review (2021). Agricultural Technology Adoption. https://www.digitalfarming.org/adoption
• Farm Innovation Report (2021). COVID-19 Agricultural Adaptations. https://www.farminnovation.org/adaptations
• Agricultural Technology Review (2021). Smart Farming During COVID-19. https://www.agtech.org/smart-farming
• Rural Economics Journal (2021).

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Reviewed By: Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.

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Avoid Entrepreneur Burnout:
Essential Tips to Find Balance

To avoid overworking as an entrepreneur, you must establish firm boundaries between work and personal time, delegate tasks strategically, and protect your physical and mental health through intentional self-care practices. Research shows that 87% of entrepreneurs experience anxiety, depression, or burnout—making this a widespread crisis that demands immediate action, not just another productivity hack to ignore.

The hard truth I’ve learned after 20 years as CEO of Complete Controller is that burning yourself out doesn’t make you a hero—it makes you ineffective. I’ve watched brilliant founders crash and burn, taking their companies down with them, all because they believed the toxic myth that success requires sacrificing everything. I’ve also witnessed the transformation when entrepreneurs finally grasp that boundaries, delegation, and self-care aren’t luxuries—they’re business necessities. This article delivers the strategies that have saved both my sanity and my company, drawn from working with hundreds of businesses across every industry imaginable.

How can entrepreneurs avoid overworking and burnout while finding balance?

• To avoid overworking as an entrepreneur: set defined work hours, delegate tasks, prioritize self-care, use technology strategically, and take regular breaks
• Setting boundaries creates space for strategic thinking and prevents the 67% burnout rate affecting founders without limits
• Strategic delegation frees you to focus on high-impact CEO-level work instead of drowning in operational details
• Self-care practices maintain the energy and mental clarity needed for complex business decisions
• Technology and automation eliminate repetitive tasks that steal hours from your week

Set Boundaries to Avoid Overworking as Entrepreneur

Creating non-negotiable boundaries between work and personal life stands as your first defense against the burnout affecting 67% of entrepreneurs who fail to set limits. The data proves this isn’t about work-life balance feel-good advice—founders with strong boundaries experience dramatically lower burnout rates, with 45% reporting low burnout compared to just 6% of those without boundaries.

Your business won’t collapse if you stop checking email at 9 PM. In fact, Stanford research shows productivity plummets after 50 hours per week, meaning those late-night work sessions actually damage your output. Start by establishing fixed work hours and communicating them clearly to clients, team members, and family.

Define your working hours for better work-life balance

Block your calendar with non-negotiable personal time, treating these blocks as seriously as client meetings. Use auto-responders after hours that clearly state when you’ll respond, training everyone to respect your boundaries. Create separate phone numbers or email accounts for work and personal use, physically separating these worlds.

Say no and prioritize what matters

Evaluate every opportunity through this lens: does this align with my core business goals and available capacity? Master the art of the graceful no—”That sounds interesting, but I’m fully committed to current projects that align with my strategic priorities.” Delegate or eliminate tasks that don’t require your unique expertise, focusing your limited energy on work only you can perform.

Delegate, Outsource, and Trust to Reduce Overworking

The inability to delegate keeps countless entrepreneurs trapped in 60-hour weeks, handling tasks that others could complete better and faster. Smart delegation isn’t abandoning responsibility—it’s strategically deploying resources to multiply your impact while protecting your energy for CEO-level decisions.

Start by documenting every task you handle in a typical week, then ruthlessly categorize them: tasks only you can do, tasks others could do with training, and tasks to eliminate entirely. Most founders discover they’re spending 40-50% of their time on work that doesn’t require their expertise.

Build systems that run without you

Create standard operating procedures for routine tasks, turning your knowledge into teachable systems. Invest time upfront training team members or contractors thoroughly, resisting the urge to just do it yourself because it’s faster today. Use project management tools like Asana or Trello to track delegated work without micromanaging.

Financial tasks offer perfect delegation opportunities—accounting outsourcing can free up 10-15 hours weekly while improving accuracy. Similarly, finding competent workers who can truly own their responsibilities transforms your role from operator to strategist.

Work smarter—not longer. See how Complete Controller helps founders stay profitable and sane.

Prioritize Self-Care to Recharge and Sustain Your Energy

Physical and mental health directly impact business performance, yet entrepreneurs average only six hours of sleep nightly—creating cognitive impairment equivalent to being legally drunk. After two weeks of six-hour sleep nights, your decision-making abilities match someone who hasn’t slept for 24 hours straight.

Self-care isn’t selfish when your business depends on your brain functioning at peak capacity. Schedule exercise, proper meals, and sleep as non-negotiable appointments, protecting them as fiercely as you would a meeting with your biggest client.

Create a sustainable self-care routine

Morning routines set the tone—even 10 minutes of meditation or movement can improve focus throughout the day. Plan real meals instead of eating at your desk, using lunch breaks to reset mentally. End workdays with a ritual that signals the transition to personal time, whether that’s a walk, changing clothes, or shutting down your work computer.

Recognize early burnout warning signs

Watch for these red flags: constant exhaustion despite rest, cynicism about work you once loved, physical symptoms like headaches or insomnia, and decreased performance despite longer hours. When these appear, immediate action prevents the crash—schedule time off, seek support, and reassess your workload before burnout becomes crisis.

Leverage Technology to Avoid Overworking as Entrepreneur

Modern automation tools can reclaim 10-15 hours weekly by handling repetitive tasks that don’t require human creativity. The key lies in strategic implementation—automating the right processes while maintaining personal connection where it matters.

Moving from spreadsheets to integrated systems eliminates hours of manual data entry while reducing errors. Email automation, scheduling tools, and project management platforms handle routine communications and task tracking without your constant involvement.

Minimize digital overwhelm

Set specific times for checking email and messages rather than living in reactive mode. Use focus apps to block distracting websites during deep work periods. Create separate user accounts or devices for work and personal use, making it impossible to accidentally slip into work mode during family time.

Turn off all non-urgent notifications after hours—the world won’t end if you respond to that email tomorrow morning. Studies show constant interruptions reduce productivity by up to 40%, making boundaries around technology essential for both efficiency and sanity.

Real-World Lessons: Founders Who Avoided Overworking

James Hu, founder of Jobscan, built his company to over one million users but felt his passion fading after five years of nonstop work. Rather than push through, he took a full year sabbatical, traveling to Europe and Alaska while a trusted friend managed operations. The result? Hu returned recharged, declaring he wanted “to continue for another 10 years”—proof that stepping back can reignite the fire that built your business.

My own wake-up call came during Complete Controller’s rapid growth phase. Working past midnight, skipping meals, and ignoring my body’s warning signs, I believed I was being dedicated. A minor health scare forced me to face reality: I was becoming my company’s biggest liability. Setting boundaries, delegating financial operations, and scheduling real downtime didn’t just improve my health—revenue grew 30% that year as my team stepped up to fill the space I created.

The data backs these stories: employee burnout costs companies $5.04 million annually per 1,000 employees. For entrepreneurs, the cost includes not just money but dreams abandoned and relationships destroyed. Balance isn’t a luxury—it’s a business imperative.

Final Thoughts

Every entrepreneur faces the choice between sustainable success and spectacular burnout. The strategies outlined here—boundaries, delegation, self-care, and strategic technology use—aren’t just theories but proven practices that have saved countless founders from the 87% who experience burnout.

Start with one change today. Block two hours tomorrow for focused work without interruptions. Say no to one commitment that doesn’t align with your priorities. Schedule that overdue vacation. Your business needs you at your best, not your most exhausted. For personalized strategies to build sustainable success while avoiding entrepreneur burnout, connect with our team at Complete Controller.

Frequently Asked Questions About Avoid Overworking as Entrepreneur

What are the early warning signs of entrepreneur burnout?

Physical exhaustion despite adequate rest, loss of passion for work you once loved, increased irritability or impatience, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and physical symptoms like chronic headaches, insomnia, or digestive issues indicate approaching burnout.

How can I maintain boundaries when clients expect 24/7 availability?

Set clear expectations from day one by including response times in contracts, use professional auto-responders stating your hours, offer premium rates for true emergencies, and remember that clients respect professionals who value their own time—those who don’t aren’t clients worth keeping.

Which tasks should entrepreneurs delegate first to reduce overwork?

Start with repetitive administrative tasks, bookkeeping and financial management, social media scheduling, email management, and any specialized work outside your core expertise—these typically consume 40-50% of an entrepreneur’s time while adding minimal strategic value.

Can small startups really afford to outsource without breaking the budget?

Outsourcing often costs less than burnout—consider that replacing a burned-out founder costs infinitely more than hiring help, start small with just 5-10 hours weekly of virtual assistance, and remember that delegation pays for itself through increased revenue when you focus on growth activities.

How long should entrepreneurs disconnect to truly recharge from burnout?

While even short breaks help, research suggests minimum two-week vacations create lasting benefits, quarterly long weekends prevent burnout accumulation, and severe burnout may require extended breaks like Hu’s year-long sabbatical—the investment in recovery always pays dividends in renewed energy and clarity.

Sources

• AccountabilityNow. “Top Work Life Balance Tips for Busy Executives and Entrepreneurs.” https://www.accountabilitynow.com/
• Adonis Media. “10 Expert Tips to Meet Work-Life Balance as a Business Owner.” https://www.adonismedia.com/
• American Journal of Preventive Medicine. “Employee burnout can cost employers millions each year.” CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, February 27, 2025. https://sph.cuny.edu/life-at-sph/news/2025/02/27/employee-burnout/
• Complete Controller. “From Spreadsheets to CRMs.” https://www.completecontroller.com/from-spreadsheets-to-crms/
• Complete Controller. “7 Ways to Find Competent Workers.” https://www.completecontroller.com/7-ways-to-find-competent-workers/
• Complete Controller. “Accounting Outsourcing Economics.” https://www.completecontroller.com/accounting-outsourcing-economics/
• Entrepreneur. “7 Tips to Avoid Burnout When Growing a Business.” https://www.entrepreneur.com/
• Entrepreneur.com. “How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?” https://www.entrepreneur.com/living/how-much-sleep-do-you-really-need/232784
• Enty. “How to Prevent Entrepreneurial Burnout: Essential Strategies.” https://www.enty.com/
• EQ International. “Achieving Optimal Work-Life Balance as an Entrepreneur: Strategies for Success.” https://www.eqinternational.com/
• Fortune Magazine. (September 2025). “We studied America’s entrepreneurs and found too many… are anxious, depressed, or burned out.” https://fortune.com/2025/09/12/we-studied-entrepreneurs-burnout-anxious-depressed-wellbeing/
• Founder Reports. (2024). “17 Mental Health Statistics for Entrepreneurs.” https://founderreports.com/entrepreneur-mental-health-statistics/
• GeekWire. (2021). “How a yearlong sabbatical helped this startup founder recharge his passion and excitement.” https://www.geekwire.com/2021/yearlong-sabbatical-helped-startup-founder-recharge-passion-excitement/
• Harvard Health. “Taking Time Off Matters: The Health Benefits of Vacations.” https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/taking-time-off-matters-the-health-benefits-of-vacations-2018070414041
• Harvard Business Review. (October 2007). “Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time.” https://hbr.org/2007/10/manage-your-energy-not-your-time
• JennaRainey.com. “Navigating Burnout as a Small Business Owner: Tips for Getting Back on Track.” https://www.jennarainey.com/
• Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. “The Restless Entrepreneur: Does sleeplessness have a silver lining?” https://carey.jhu.edu/articles/restless-entrepreneur-sleeplessness-silver-lining
• Mayo Clinic. “Burnout.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642
• National Institutes of Health / PubMed Central. (2024). “Working hours and labour productivity from the occupational health perspective.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11292309/
• NexusLA. “How to Avoid Entrepreneur Burnout and Sustain Growth.” https://www.nexusla.com/
• Roller Software. “How To Avoid Entrepreneur Burnout: Signs & Strategies.” https://www.rollersoftware.com/
• Roll by ADP Blog. “Work-Life Balance for the Entrepreneur.” https://www.rollbyAdp.com/
• SCORE.org. “How Hard Small Business Owners Work.” https://www.score.org/resource/blog-

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Reviewed By: Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.

See Full Bio

For growing your business, it is essential to establish solid foundations of internal controls such as auditing, accounting, purchasing, and damage control planning. Every small business needs these internal controls to manage the money correctly. Without this, you are leaving a lot of money on the table for fraud. Employee theft is a big problem for a small business that cannot recover from the loss. According to U.S Commerce Department reports, 30% of business fails because of employee theft, and many of them are the smaller firms that cannot afford to recover from the loss.

Here are the tips that can help in ensuring financial control:

Keep the duties separate. Never assign related obligations to one employee. For example, the person who writes the checks should never be the one who signs them. Or the person who checks the mail should never record the receivable or reconcile the accounts. When you divide the responsibilities, it becomes difficult for the employees to steal from the company and manipulate the records.

Reconcile your bank statement 

Receive your bank statement personally and match it with your business account. Carefully review every transaction, check, and receiver. Examine the payees and signs on each check and monitor any fraud activity.

Sign all the checks yourself

No matter what, always sign every check yourself. Doing so will help prevent employee theft.

Review Payroll

Before sending, review the payroll and check for any variations in the amount. For reducing the risk of payroll fraud, use direct deposit. Direct deposit may be a time-consuming task, but it is worth it in the end. Review every check and make sure they are for your employees only. If you find any unknown name, go, and find that person. Keep a weekly or monthly count of the number of people on your payroll, and then verify that number against the number of checks you have. Ensure that no one can make any changes to your company’s master payroll file without your permission.

Keep personal and business finances separate

You may consider it easy to use your bank account for your business as well, but in the long run, both your personal and business finances will suffer. And this can be a tremendous headache for you in the future. For running your business smoothly, it is essential to open a business account and get a separate credit card to help your company build its credit rating.

If you need to use your business money for personal expenses, transfer that amount into your bank account and use it. If you need a loan for your business, document it properly with a promissory note specifying repayment terms.

Carefully monitor your company’s checks

Carefully monitor and check every single check. Keep your corporate statements in a locked drawer, and don’t give the key to anyone. Always use pre-numbered checks and search for missing check numbers from time to time. Never sign a blank check.

Closely guard your receivables 

Hire more than one employee for counting and verifying incoming checks. Buy a “for deposit stamp only” and use it on all incoming checks. The stamp can prevent the company from employees theft. Investigate the customer’s complaints regarding payment issues. Get a back and front copy of the customer’s check and make sure it is deposited into your business account only.

Send your bookkeeper on vacation 

Sometimes those employees who seem most loyal by not going on vacations are doing fraud with the company. For concealing their theft, they never take a leave. To stop this from happening, make sure that the person handling the responsibility of bookkeeping or accounting goes on a vacation every year, at least for two weeks at the end of the month. Use this time to review the documents and books and look for discrepancies.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

QuickBooks is accounting software that meets business financial needs. It is designed specifically for small businesses to help users manage accounting functionalities, including credit card management, accounts payable, financial reporting, and accounts receivable. QuickBooks enables you to manage your department’s responsibilities, including invoicing, payroll, reporting, accounts payable and receivable, cash flow management, and more. QuickBooks Pro provides a variety of benefits, including are as follows:

Money Management:

Integrating QuickBooks Pro will allow the user to manage business amounts efficiently and enter the due payments and dates information regarding all recurring bills. For unpaid bills, the user can directly print checks from QuickBooks. Furthermore, each transaction is recorded to access for future audits. In addition, bank accounts are also integrated with the program by using QuickBooks Pro. All financial records are viewed on a single screen, and QuickBooks Pro allows you to eliminate the need for paper statements.

Expense Billing:

Professionals often support several purchases that are later billed to consumers for business purposes. These may include small expenditures like meals and mileage or significant expenses such as international travel. No matter what your expense type or size, QuickBooks Pro provides a feature to maintain records of each expense. Furthermore, expenses are saved per client requirements, which prevents users from merging all of them manually.

Sales Invoicing:

In QuickBooks Pro, invoices are generated by a single click of a button which is beneficial for tracking sales and creating receipts automatically. These invoices can then be sent electronically to clients via email. In addition, the user is allowed to be billed either in large batches or individually. For subscribers of Intuit, their credit and debit card charges are accepted through QuickBooks Pro. These Intuit subscribers can also check QuickBooks solutions to scan and deposit checks into the program, eliminating the need to enter data manually.

Reporting:

QuickBooks Pro allows the user to create various reports related to finance, including expense, year-over-year income, trends, and forecasting documents. Additionally, these reports can be exported to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and sent via email.

User-friendly:

QuickBooks Pro is considered a user-friendly software for new user setup because it provides a virtual orientation. In addition, the vital features of QuickBooks can be activated by a single click of a button. It was observed that users find other accounting software challenging to use due to their complex functions. QuickBooks was designed so a user with little financial or accounting knowledge can easily understand it and use it to support business operations.

Integration:

QuickBooks can integrate information with other applications easily. With the help of Product details, data related to business expenses and incomes are recorded and integrated with other business management programs. For example, business owners can easily export data from QuickBooks and import it into tax preparation programs to file income taxes. With QuickBooks, it is easier to import data from different sources that can also be integrated with Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets.

Customization:

QuickBooks provides several ready-to-use templates specifically for business owners to create spreadsheets, invoices, business plans, and charts. QuickBooks is customizable software that enables users to customize invoices per business requirements efficiently. The user can add the company logo with brief information related to each line item, reconcile their invoices, and pay per due date.

Check Signing:

QuickBooks can assist if you sign lots of checks as a business owner. QuickBooks allows business owners first to scan and then upload signatures. These signatures will be used in the future to prepare business checks. Through QuickBooks, check signing is an automated process where users can write hundreds of checks each month and sign them in a more accessible and simpler way.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

You must be familiar with paying the necessary amount each month while your credit card debt rises like foam, and you need to control your expenses on several cards. Try to follow these tips to reduce your debts.

First, eliminate the feeling of guilt

Credit card debt is the nightmare of many families. The average debt that a family in the United States has on credit cards is $7,400.
If the debt bothers you, you could stop taking the necessary steps to get out of it. It’s easy to say, “The debt reaches my neck; what else does a little more!” But if you correct your course now, you can achieve other financial goals, such as saving to buy a house or car or having a baby.

Leave all the cards at home, except one

In the same way that you would not put your money in five different bank accounts, you should not do it with your debt either. Put only one card in your wallet – the one with the most advantageous interest rates and payment conditions – and leave the others at home or, better yet, cut them off.
Using only one card allows you to give more account of what you spend, and if you tend to exceed the limit of what you can spend on your cards, using a single card will help you avoid significant damages.

Use your debit card

If you use the card when you lack money, get used to using the debit card (linked to your checking or checking account). You will avoid accumulating debt on your credit card, you will not receive monthly bills, and the money will come directly from your checking account, so consider twice before buying something.

Pay with punctuality

Suppose you pay late for your monthly fee. In the United States, the credit company will charge you a surcharge of $25 to $30. If you have three credit cards and you pay late twice a year (even if it’s the next day), you’ll end up paying up to $180 more per year; check the interest rates at the banks in your country.

Calculate well

The interest on credit cards ranges from 0% to 30% or more, so if you already have accumulated debt, you must know what interest rate you are paying. You will find this information in the small print of your monthly bill. If the information is confusing, call your credit company and speak with one of their representatives to explain all the details.

Reduce the interest of your current card

Some experts advise you to call your credit company and tell them you want to cancel your card to transfer your balance to another card with a lower interest rate. Sometimes, your company prefers to reduce your interest rate rather than lose you as a client, but this strategy is not entirely safe and only works if you have a good track record as a customer.

Get a card with a lower interest

Unless you are already paying the lowest market interest, you may want to transfer your balance to a card with a lower interest rate. However, beware of so-called introductory rates. They usually last four to six months and can go up to 30% or more. And if you pay behind schedule one of your monthly installments or go over the limit, the interest can shoot.

Beware of annual fees!

The credit companies that charge you an annual fee for the card might offer lower interest rates, but you must calculate if that counts towards you. For example, if your balance is about $1,000 a month at 6.9% interest, and apart from the debt, you must pay $50 a year to keep the card active, equivalent to having a 12% interest card without annual payment.
It is natural to get rid of your debts as soon as possible if you stick by these tips, you are sure to be free of that additional expense and start saving more for your future. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

There are many different investment options you can choose and maintain for life. Before investigating each possibility, you must first take into consideration one important factor that will impact your investment: the potential longevity of certain companies or industries. With this in mind, below are the most common investment options. 

Real Estate

Real estate investing often involves buying or financing a property, renting and maintaining it, then selling it to the next individual for a profit. If you do not trust other options and want to invest in something tangible or personal that keeps your investment in hand, then investing in real estate will be your best option. While real estate is a tangible asset, it is dependent on something intangible: the economy. 

Inflation and hyperinflation will impact your investment, so be cautious about selling your real estate investment during a favorable economic period.  

Vanguard Health Care Exchange-Traded Fund 

There are several reasons you should invest in the health care industry, primarily because healthcare will always be present in our lives and is a factor that most people prioritize. Similarly, the healthcare companies have the best chance of surviving economic downturns, so investing in the healthcare industry, as opposed to other stable and less likely to incur reorganization, will provide a reliable return. For instance, someone may choose to invest in an Energy Exchange-Traded Fund (EFT) or an energy fund that owns different types of energy stocks without a clear understanding of the future of the energy industry. The investor cannot predict future political policies or determine how oil and gas companies will be structured or restricted in twenty or thirty years. These factors can significantly impact the company or industry and negatively impact the Return on Investment (ROI). Likewise, examining the global pandemic of 2020 shows a significant negative impact on the global economy, yet health care was prioritized above anything else. Therefore, the health care industry has a lot of growth potential and offers a tremendous amount of stability. 

Gold

Like real estate, gold is a tangible asset. 

However, gold in the form of jewelry has its disadvantages, including safety and the high cost, including making charges. Making charges for jewelry generally range between 7-15% of the total price of gold and can increase more than 25% in the case of special design. However, there is still an option for those who want to purchase and invest in gold. 

Many banking sectors are selling gold in different formats, including paper gold. Paper gold investment is more lucrative and can be done with the help of Exchange-Trade Funds. Buying and selling different investments occurs on the stock exchange with gold as the underlying asset, making it valuable. You can also invest in gold through gold mutual funds. Investing in gold is a risk-free investment in which you have authority over the holding.

Conclusion 

Investments are a serious matter that takes tremendous research and monitoring. Before choosing any single option, analyze the risk factors and benefits and the current political climate. Heed advice from experts to learn more about your preferred investment. Stay motivated because it can take time to see a return on your investments. Millions of investors like you once started from a single investment and are now enjoying profits. However, researching and committing to one investment does not mean that you cannot change your mind about investing or your chosen option. Feel free to scale up or down your investment or diversify accordingly. Investing can be risky but can also be worth it if you monitor and wait patiently for a return.  

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

If you are still in your student stage, a thousand things are among your concerns, from getting good grades, thinking about jobs you can find once you graduate. You may worry about getting enough money to have the quality of life you desire. The last thing that might go through your head is to build a credit history.

Credit history benefits

However, your future depends on whether you have a good credit history from getting an apartment, buying a car, or starting a family. Having a credit history is essential, and what better to start building when you are still young. 

Below we mention the benefits of starting as soon as possible with the construction of the credit history.

Independence

Once you graduate and think about starting your life independently from your parents’ house, you will undoubtedly have to rent an apartment. It is the easiest and cheapest option. The requirements to rent an apartment can be straightforward. Still, owners prioritize people who already have a credit history and, of course, a positive one. Otherwise, you may need to request the help of a guarantee or even your parents to help with the process. Which does not help with independence?

Buying a car

Buying a car is an expense that you cannot solve so quickly. That is why people use financings, such as loans or credits. The companies and banks that offer this type of financing will undoubtedly review your credit history. Your chances of getting financing increase when you have a credit history.

Funding for studies

If your plans include specializing a little more when you finish your studies, this will not be cheap. While you can seek scholarships from the government or sponsorships from an employer, you still must pay a good amount of money. For that option, you can apply for a student loan. Credit history is crucial for a financial institution to consider granting it.

Get credit cards

Having a credit card is not a sign that he has grown and is now an adult. However, once you are an adult, you can get credit cards. There you can prove your maturity, how you manage and control your expenses. It is easier to get a credit card if you already have a credit history. It can be instrumental in starting to build a heritage.

Even so, our recommendation is to get a primary credit card and a low credit line. If you still do not have a lot of income or even stable employment, you cannot acquire debts that way.

As a student, it can be challenging to build credit history. There are options, from hiring a mobile phone plan in your name to getting a student credit card. The latter has low-interest rates and credit lines.

Payment automation

There are activities for one student. That is why they cannot afford the excessive need for credit card payments. Credit card payment affects your credit score, and a single mistake can lead to a heavy load of courses. Ask your credit card issuer to eliminate the payment amount on the due date of every month. It should exceed the minimum payment. In this way, you can make foolproof all your payments. As a result, you will have enough money in your tracking account to cover the expense of a credit card. 

Maintain a sound payment record

Keep up your credit card payment as an essential factor to build your credit score. If you want to know the responsibility level of your credit card usage, you should calculate your credit score. It must be up to 35%, and as a result, you can buy anything that you can pay off quickly. If you purchase high-priced tickets, you will not have enough resources to buy anything else. Think or plan with thinking of repayment before buying anything. Pay all your bills regularly to make a good score. Otherwise, a noticeable dent in your poor credit score will leave a dark mark on your credit report for seven to ten years. As a result, you will not apply for another loan during this time duration.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Unlock The Value Of Your Home: Mortgage For A Loan

Using your mortgage house for loan purposes allows homeowners to access cash by leveraging their home’s equity through cash-out refinancing, home equity loans, or home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). These financing options let you borrow against the value you’ve built in your property, typically up to 80% of your home’s appraised value, providing funds for major expenses, debt consolidation, or investment opportunities.

I’ve guided thousands of small business owners through complex financial decisions over the past two decades at Complete Controller, and I can tell you that strategic use of home equity can transform both personal and business finances. By the end of Q2 2024, total homeowner equity across the United States reached a record $35 trillion, with the aggregate value of homes surpassing $48 trillion. This article reveals exactly how to unlock that value safely and strategically, walking you through qualification requirements, cost analysis, and strategic applications that align with your long-term financial goals.

What does it mean to use your mortgage for loan purposes?

• Using your mortgage for a loan means accessing cash by borrowing against your home’s equity through refinancing or secondary financing
• Cash-out refinancing replaces your existing mortgage with a larger loan, giving you the difference in cash
• Home equity loans provide a lump sum at fixed rates while keeping your original mortgage intact
• Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) work like credit cards, letting you draw funds as needed at variable rates
• Most lenders allow borrowing up to 80% of your home’s appraised value minus existing mortgage debt

Understanding Your Home Equity Options

Your home represents more than just shelter—it’s a financial asset that can provide access to substantial capital when you need it most. U.S. homeowners with mortgages gained an average of $4,100 in equity during 2024, with the average borrower having $303,000 in home equity by year-end.

Three primary methods exist for accessing this equity, each serving different financial needs and situations. The choice between cash-out refinancing, home equity loans, and HELOCs depends on factors including your current mortgage rate, credit profile, and intended use of funds.

Cash-out refinancing fundamentals

Cash-out refinancing involves replacing your existing mortgage with a new, larger loan and receiving the difference in cash. This comprehensive approach to accessing home value requires going through a complete mortgage application process, including income verification, credit checks, and home appraisal.

The mechanics work straightforwardly: if your home appraises for $500,000 and you currently owe $300,000, you could potentially access up to $100,000 in cash while maintaining an 80% loan-to-value ratio. The new mortgage pays off your existing loan entirely, leaving you with one monthly payment at current market rates.

Home equity loans as second mortgages

Home equity loans function independently of your primary mortgage, providing a lump sum at closing with fixed monthly payments. Current home equity loan rates average 7.96%, which remains historically moderate compared to mortgage rates in the 1980s that peaked at 18.45%.

These second mortgages maintain your existing mortgage terms while adding a separate monthly payment. The fixed-rate structure provides payment predictability, making budgeting straightforward for major expenses like home improvements or debt consolidation.

Home equity lines of credit flexibility

HELOCs offer maximum flexibility through revolving credit secured by your home. Rather than receiving a lump sum, you gain access to a credit line drawable during a 10-year draw period, with current HELOC rates averaging 8.27%.

Interest rates vary with market conditions, and many lenders require only interest payments during the draw period. After the draw period ends, the 20-year repayment phase begins, requiring principal and interest payments on the outstanding balance.

Qualification Requirements and Financial Considerations

Successfully accessing home equity requires meeting specific lender criteria that protect both borrowers and the financial system. Standards have tightened significantly since the housing crisis, with most lenders requiring minimum credit scores of 620 and stable income documentation.

Your debt-to-income ratio plays a crucial role in approval decisions. Lenders calculate DTI by dividing total monthly debt payments by gross monthly income, preferring ratios below 43% for home equity financing.

Credit score and income requirements

Credit scores above 740 typically secure the best rates, with a 100-point difference potentially saving thousands over the loan term. Lenders evaluate your entire credit profile, examining payment history, credit utilization, and recent inquiries.

Income stability matters equally, with lenders requiring two years of consistent employment. Self-employed borrowers face additional scrutiny, needing comprehensive documentation, including tax returns and profit statements, to demonstrate reliable income streams.

Property value and equity position

Your home’s current market value determines available equity for borrowing. Professional appraisals establish this value, though having recent comparable sales data strengthens your position during the process.

Most lenders limit combined loan-to-value ratios to 80%, meaning your total mortgage debt cannot exceed 80% of your home’s appraised value. Some lenders offer higher ratios for exceptional credit profiles, though these typically carry higher interest rates.

The Home Equity Access Process Step-by-Step

Navigating home equity financing requires understanding each stage from application through closing. The process typically takes 15 to 45 days, depending on loan type and borrower complexity.

Initial applications trigger soft credit checks for preliminary rate quotes without affecting credit scores. Once you select a lender and proceed, hard credit inquiries and property appraisals begin the formal underwriting process.

Documentation and underwriting

Comprehensive documentation forms the foundation of successful applications. Income verification requires recent pay stubs, W-2 forms, two years of tax returns, and bank statements showing asset reserves.

Property documentation includes your deed, current mortgage statements, insurance information, and tax records. Underwriters verify all information while ensuring loans meet lender guidelines and regulatory requirements.

Closing and fund disbursement

The closing process mirrors your original mortgage experience, involving numerous documents and transferring or establishing loan obligations. Three days before closing, you’ll receive a Closing Disclosure detailing all terms and costs.

Cash-out refinancing proceeds typically arrive at closing or within days afterward. Home equity loans provide immediate lump sums, while HELOCs establish credit lines accessible through checks or transfers.

Strategic Uses and Cost Management

Home equity usage patterns have shifted significantly—in 2024, 39% of borrowers used home equity loans for debt consolidation compared to just 25% in 2022. This trend reflects changing financial priorities and the appeal of consolidating high-interest debt at lower rates.

Andy Payne, a 62-year-old NHS worker, exemplifies strategic equity use. When his interest-only term expired, he faced a $40,000 mortgage shortfall. He secured a lifetime mortgage at 6.63%, allowing him to stay home while managing affordable monthly payments of $333.

Business investment considerations

Business owners often consider home equity for expansion capital, but this strategy requires careful evaluation. Established businesses with proven revenue streams benefit most from home equity financing’s lower rates compared to business loans.

Mixing personal and business finances through home equity creates risks that demand thorough planning. Success requires clear separation of funds, documented business plans, and contingency strategies protecting your primary residence.

Long-term financial planning

Strategic equity access aligns with comprehensive financial planning rather than short-term needs. Consider how additional payments affect retirement planning, emergency funds, and future housing transitions.

Families planning education expenses or major life changes benefit from structured approaches matching loan terms to anticipated needs. Creating detailed budgets incorporating new payment obligations prevents overextension while maximizing equity benefits.

Conclusion

Accessing your home’s equity through mortgage financing opens doors to significant financial opportunities when approached strategically. Whether choosing cash-out refinancing, home equity loans, or HELOCs, success depends on matching the right product to your specific needs while maintaining long-term financial stability.

Your home represents both shelter and financial resource—use it wisely to build the future you envision. Contact the experts at Complete Controller for personalized guidance on leveraging your home equity alongside comprehensive financial planning that protects your interests while maximizing opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using a Mortgage for a Loan

What’s the difference between a home equity loan and cash-out refinancing?

 Home equity loans add a second mortgage to your existing loan with separate monthly payments, while cash-out refinancing replaces your entire mortgage with a new, larger loan. Home equity loans preserve your current mortgage rate, but cash-out refinancing might offer lower overall rates since it’s a primary mortgage.

How much equity do I need to qualify?

Most lenders require at least 20% equity in your home after the new loan, meaning you can typically borrow up to 80% of your home’s appraised value minus existing mortgage debt. Some lenders offer higher loan-to-value ratios for exceptional credit profiles.

Can I use home equity loan funds for any purpose?

Yes, you can use home equity loan proceeds for any purpose, including debt consolidation, home improvements, education expenses, or business investments. However, mortgage interest deductibility depends on how you use the funds, with home improvements typically qualifying for deductions.

How long does it take to get approved for home equity financing?

The approval process typically takes 15 to 45 days from application to closing, depending on loan type and complexity. Cash-out refinancing generally takes longer than home equity loans or HELOCs due to more extensive underwriting requirements.

What happens if home values decline after I access equity?

If home values decline, you could owe more than your home’s worth, limiting future refinancing options. This risk makes conservative borrowing important—maintaining at least 20% equity provides a buffer against market fluctuations while preserving financial flexibility.

Sources

• Unison. “2024 Home Equity Report.” Chua, Jian Tong and Xu, Winfield. 2 December 2024.
• Scotsman Guide. “Homeowners gained $4100 in equity in 2024.” 13 March 2025.
• Experian. “Home Equity Rates: HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan.” 12 August 2025.
• Bankrate. “Mortgage Rate History: 1970s To 2025.” 31 July 2025.
• Equity Release Council. “Devoted single dad and NHS worker uses equity release to pay off his mortgage.” 17 July 2024.
• Mortgage Bankers Association. “HELOC/Home Equity Loan Volume Increased 7.2 Percent in 2024.” Walsh, Marina. 28 July 2025.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. www.consumerfinance.gov
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. www.hud.gov
• Wikipedia. “Mortgage.” www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortgage
• Complete Controller Blog. www.completecontroller.com/BLOG
• Complete Controller. “How to Manage Your Credit Responsibly.” www.completecontroller.com/how-to-manage-your-credit-responsibly
• Complete Controller. “5 Reasons Why Borrowing Money is Better Than Giving Up the Equity.” www.completecontroller.com/5-reasons-why-borrowing-money-is-better-than-giving-up-the-equity

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Reviewed By: Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.

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Bookkeeping is an essential and central part of every type of business. At the same time, effective and efficient bookkeeping practices are the key to a successful long-term business. So, business owners should not take it lightly. Bookkeeping accurately shaped the financial accounting record and made the owners of the risk associated with the business accounts.
While in the initial stages of the business, complex bookkeeping and accounting processes are not necessary as business receipts, and other functions at the initial stage are slow, and only a few transactions occur. But it doesn’t mean you don’t need to maintain your accounting record in the business book. Enforce bookkeeping practices from the start so that your business is always ready for audit. At the end of the accounting year, the bookkeeper will update the company’s financial statement.
It plays a vital role when an owner needs to raise capital and needs investors for the business. Updated and maintained financial records help get the investors’ attention and trust in your company to invest.
Aside from accurate accounting records and getting into investors’ good lists, bookkeeping also helps in budgeting, enabling you to assess financial assets and expenses in business. Filling taxes on the earnings and managing cash inflows and outflows becomes easy with efficient bookkeeping practices.
To learn the best bookkeeping practices to avoid risk and protect your business from financial accounting threats. Here, we have pro bookkeeping tips; make sure you read them with your full attention.

Employee A Professional Bookkeeper

Hire the right person for the right job. It means hiring an accountant who knows better about the bookkeeping of financial accounting and knows how to maintain day-to-day transaction records to avoid any risk.
You may also outsource a professional bookkeeper to check the accuracy of the account as they are experienced in the bookkeeping of business-related accounts and have excellent knowledge of how to protect the business from financial risk and bankruptcy.
A well-trained accountant should be a priority, as accounting software is hard to operate and maintain; only trained people with updated knowledge can handle and use this software. So, make sure you won’t take a risk by giving bookkeeping work to anyone who is not the right person for this job. It can be a riskier decision for your business which you may not afford.

Keep An Eye on Day-To-Day Transactions

Record daily (routine-based) transactions in your business and make it a habit. Record each transaction at the correct time, date, and valid entry. Scan the receipts in bookkeeping software to the server and create a file of receipts to avoid any uncertain conditions.
Recording of timely entered transaction data will help you make an interim or annual financial statement on time for taxation, as well as helps in auditing business accounts.
Check every week that your accountant keeps and systematically records the transactions and matches these with invoices/receipts. Otherwise, it will be a blunder that is sometimes impossible to bear.

Separate Your Business Account from your Personal

Don’t try to have the same bank account for business and personal purposes. It would only be difficult for the owner. It will be even more difficult for an accountant to manage business invoices of client payments and reporting of financial statements, especially during tax deductions. Putting your business finance at risk cannot be mitigated by the best accounting software.
For the protection of your business from risk. Have separate accounts, use business accounts only for business activities, go for different debit/credit cards, and have individual ATM cards. These will help you cope with your personal and business expenses, and you can quickly assess them.

Updated Accounting Software

One of the most critical elements is to protect your business from unwelcome risks. Don’t hesitate to invest in good and updated bookkeeping or accounting software. However, anyone can use accounting software with little knowledge. This software does not always require an accountant. But to avoid even little mistake, this software should be operated by a knowledgeable accountant who knows how to use it correctly and update it from time to time. But keep in mind a computer accounting software expert should complete the initial installation and setup.
Hence, integrate with automatic analytical calculation; it also checks the accuracy of transactions, matches the receipts/invoices with the correct transaction, and updates you on the business’s financial health. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Your image is your guarantee to your clients. It’s what they are anticipating from you when purchasing your merchandise or administrations. Estimating is similarly critical to mark the value as different differentiators. One cost capacity is that it passes on a quality message and, accordingly, can impact the theoretical spot your image takes in the objective shopper’s brain.

The monopolist’s benefit boosts the yield level by comparing its negligible income with its nominal cost, which is a similar benefit amplifying condition that a severe firm uses to decide its harmony level of yield. For sure, the state that the minor income equivalent negligible expense utilizes to determine the benefit amplifies the status of the yield of each firm, paying little mind to the market structure in which the firm is working. To decide the use of expanding the output level, the monopolist should enhance its data about the market request and costs with information on its creation expenses for various degrees of yield.

Organizations that offer worldwide customers or sell their items all-inclusive should conclude how to value their things in each market. Purchase force, needs, and inclinations vary among nations. Thus, eagerness to pay for a given item or administration; evaluating research must be directed for each market to boost benefit.

The past decade has witnessed a drastic change in technological development, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. From the advent of social media to the magical works of AI, the world has come a long way. Moreover, with the advances in data storage in the golden age of analytics, business owners can play with many innovative features.

However, if you wish to embark on the technological transformations based on massive data, you must build powerful analytics to acquire game-changing insights. Below, we discuss how to enhance your returns by using data concepts.

The Establishment of a Business-Linked Data Strategy

These days most large-scale organizations have begun to gain valuable insights from the data reserves. On the other hand, some businesses have their data strategy designed for better business results.

However, data scientists need to focus on the fundamental elements of creating a robust data-based architecture to develop consistently in the data initiatives. Their projects should showcase the value in the earlier stages of their development and use data insights to guide the project towards successful implementation.

Developing Data Ecosystems

Data ecosystems are a popular choice among business owners, who prefer instilling it as a critical aspect of their data strategies. Although most companies purchase external data from numerous resources, a few built solid partnerships to develop data-enriched products.

It would be best not to forget that the days of slow internet connection are long gone, especially when the concept of 5G comes into the picture. Thus, leaders must improve their overall data repositories and develop data-centric environments to ensure that business operations perform efficiently.

Investing in New Innovations

Efficiency is within your grasp as we surpass the old days of manual coding and installation into the plug-and-play concepts. Moreover, business owners can speed up their data processes efficiently with different technological innovations such as cloud platforms, machine learning, AI, etc.

 There are various prebuilt algorithms present, which you can use; hence, saving time and costs on developing new models. While with the help of cloud platforms, you can effectively train your employees on the adopted models.

All in all, most organizations are well and truly ahead in incorporating data for a more data-centric enterprise. Nonetheless, to maximize their return with data, they need to focus on adopting innovative out-of-the-box solutions. Moreover, they also need to align their newfound strategies with their business operations for long-term success.

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