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Interest rates on saving accounts have been drastically low over the years. For example, the average interest rate quoted by Bankrate is 0.06%. However, in this situation, when you have stashed a significant amount in the savings account with a relatively more nominal interest rate. Stop right here; read carefully; this is your sign of negotiating with your bank and increasing the interest rates. After all, you have invested a massive pile of dollars!

Bang on time

Imagine going to a bank with oh-so-cool attire, sunglasses, a chic handbag, or if you are a guy, then maybe rolling your car keys? Regardless, focus on your entrance. You have entered the bank influentially, but the bank teller or manager is already occupied with other customers. Bad timing! Let’s rewind and make our way at the time of the day when there is no crowd and the environment is calm. It allows you to have a talk without hindrances and fulfill your purpose. What’s next?

Fill your mind with the best interest rates

Before initiating the negotiation process, ensure you are completely armed with relevant industry knowledge. As you start mentioning the rates, make sure you have a competitive analysis of the current rates, check out the competition, and quote the transparent rates their competitor offers. They surely don’t want to lose customers, set an informed impression, and be vocal about your requirements. Like not an argument, we will explain how to create a win-win situation later in this article.

Ego is the enemy

If you have ego issues, let me warn you that this won’t get you anywhere in this process because we are not preparing you for a battle but a win-win situation:

1. Be mindful of your manners; the respective counterparty is the bank teller, manager, or service line wouldn’t like to be talked down or yelled at. Smart people respectably handle the situation and are sharp-witted to lock the deal. So, for this reason, stay calm and friendly while asking for your deal.
2. Many types of research have revealed the right attitude for a successful negotiation is a “win-win approach.”
3. Don’t panic!

Even if the negotiator has a poker face, continue with your deal, and don’t let the other party dominate over you.

He who is wise listens

If you listen carefully, you can effectively draw out the counterparty’s facts, such as their offers, needs, and requirements. Then, following the steps above, you will be able to comprehend the situation and strike a decent deal that benefits all sides.

Be conscious of your words

There’s always a code of conduct to follow when you’re negotiating. Using insightful words in the right tones might help create a pleasant balance. This method instills confidence and has yielded positive results in 90% of situations.

Furthermore, consider thinking beyond the box. Be open to making concessions on terms that seem reasonable to you and might work to your advantage. Similarly, if the banker has innovative suggestions beneficial to both sides, do not hesitate to adopt them.

Be dramatic

When negotiating, never come out as desperate; some of your offers may be tough to accept, but they aren’t the only ones. Instead, use natural language, such as ‘I’ve been a devoted client for numerous years’ or ‘The present balance is adequate to request higher rates.’ What additional best rates can you provide your devoted customer?

Note: When speaking these terms, be natural. It is an excellent way to promote your idea while creating a dramatic atmosphere.

Since you appreciate their bank terms, inquire about possible solutions.

I’ll set up an account somewhere else

When the preceding strategies have failed, the last option is to threaten moving banks; nevertheless, this is a highly improbable scenario; our approaches will get you your deal, but for a reality check. Regardless, it’s essential to determine what you’ll accept as a minimum and be prepared to walk away if the deal isn’t working; plenty of other fish are in the water. Finally, let the banker know that you can move banks if they don’t have anything better to offer.

Although this is a backup plan, it might offer your deal a strong impression. We’re confident that the bank would prefer not to lose you.

However, some banks offer special interest rates to appeal to customers, including online banks. As a result, they offer relatively higher interest rates than traditional banks. Another advantage of online banking is that it puts your money out of view, allowing you to fight the urge to consume them.

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.

Do you crave a life of financial freedom, where your hobbies and interests guide your life instead of a regular 9-to-5 job? If you’ve saved a decent amount of money through hard work, achieving this lifestyle might be closer than you think. This article offers practical advice on how to make your savings work for you.

This is about gaining financial control. Saving money is more than just putting away a little cash; it’s about creating a solid base for your future plans. The big questions are: How do you get there? What’s the most effective strategy?

We’ve collected our best tips for those new to investing and turned them into a clear guide. This guide aims to change your thoughts about money and help push you towards your goals. Whether you’re just starting to save or looking to improve your strategy, this guide will help you begin your journey to freedom.

So, are you ready to unlock the secrets to savings mastery? Let’s dive in!

The Psychology of Saving

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of where to put your savings, let’s take a moment to explore the psychology behind saving money. Many people struggle with saving because they see it as a sacrifice, a way of depriving themselves of the things they want in the present for the sake of an uncertain future. But what if we told you that saving money is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself?

When you save money, you’re not just putting aside a few dollars here and there. You’re taking control of your financial destiny. You’re telling yourself, “I’m worth more than instant gratification. I deserve a better future.” And that mindset shift can be incredibly powerful.

But how do you cultivate a saving mindset? Here are a few tips!

Set clear goals: When you have a specific goal in mind, saving for a down payment on a house or building an emergency fund becomes much more meaningful. Write down your goals and keep them somewhere visible to remind yourself why you’re saving.

Automate your savings: One of the easiest ways to save money is to make it automatic. Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account each month so you don’t have to think about it.

Celebrate your progress: Saving money can be a long game, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your progress along the way. Set milestones for yourself and reward yourself when you reach them (just don’t go overboard and blow your savings!).

Where to Put Your Savings

Now that you’ve got the right mindset let’s talk about where to put your savings. Here are ten strategic places to stash your cash:

• High-Yield Savings Accounts

• Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

• Money Market Accounts

• Retirement Accounts (401(k)s and IRAs)

• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

• Low-Cost Index Funds

• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

• Peer-to-Peer Lending

• Education Savings Accounts (529 Plans)
• Emergency Fund

Let’s dive into each of these options in a bit more detail.

High-Yield Savings Accounts

A high-yield savings account is a great place to start your savings journey. These accounts offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, which means your money will grow faster without any extra effort on your part. Look for a reputable bank with competitive interest rates and low fees.

Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

If you have some savings you won’t need to access for a while, consider putting them into a CD. CDs typically offer higher interest rates than savings accounts, but there’s a catch: you have to agree to leave your money in the account for a set period of time, usually ranging from a few months to a few years. The longer the term, the higher the interest rate. Just be sure you won’t need to access the money before the term ends, or you may face early withdrawal penalties.

Money Market Accounts

Money market accounts are a hybrid between checking and savings accounts. They typically offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, but you must maintain a higher minimum balance to qualify. The upside is that you can often write checks or use a debit card to access your funds, making money market accounts a good option if you want to earn a higher interest rate but still need easy access to your cash.

Retirement Accounts (401(k)s and IRAs)

If you’re not already saving for retirement, now’s the time to start. Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans are a great place to begin, especially if your employer offers a match on your contributions. That’s free money that can help your savings grow even faster. If you don’t have access to a 401(k), consider opening an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Both traditional and Roth IRAs offer tax advantages that can help you save more for retirement.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

You may be eligible for a Health Savings Account (HSA) if you have a high-deductible health insurance plan. HSAs offer a triple tax advantage: contributions are tax-deductible, earnings grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free. Plus, if you don’t use all the money in your HSA each year, it rolls over to the next year and continues to grow tax-free. That makes HSAs a powerful tool for saving for future healthcare expenses.

Low-Cost Index Funds

If you’re comfortable with a bit more risk, consider investing some of your savings in low-cost index funds. Index funds aim to match the performance of a particular market index, like the S&P 500, by investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks or bonds. Because index funds don’t try to beat the market, they tend to have lower fees than actively managed funds, which can help your savings grow faster over time.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

REITs are a way to invest in real estate without actually buying property. REITs are companies that own and manage income-generating real estate, like apartment buildings, shopping centers, and office buildings. When you invest in a REIT, you become a shareholder in the company and earn a portion of the income generated by the properties. REITs can offer a steady stream of income and the potential for long-term capital appreciation.

Peer-to-Peer Lending

Peer-to-peer lending platforms allow you to invest in loans made to individuals or businesses. You can choose which loans to invest in based on the borrower’s credit profile and the interest rate offered. P2P lending can offer higher returns than traditional savings accounts or CDs but also comes with more risk. Defaults can happen, so it’s essential to diversify your investments across multiple loans and only invest money you can afford to lose.

Education Savings Accounts (529 Plans)

If you have children or grandchildren, consider opening a 529 plan to save for their future education expenses. Five hundred twenty-nine plans are tax-advantaged investment accounts that allow you to save for college, trade school, or other qualified education expenses. Contributions grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified expenses are also tax-free. Plus, many states offer additional tax benefits for contributions to 529 plans.

Emergency Fund

Last but certainly not least, every savings strategy should include an emergency fund. An emergency fund is a savings account that you only tap into in case of, you guessed it, an emergency. Aim to save enough to cover three to six months’ living expenses to have a cushion in case of job loss, medical bills, or other unexpected expenses. Keep your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account so it’s easily accessible when you need it.

Conclusion

Saving money can be daunting, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your financial goals and unlocking the secrets to savings mastery.

Remember, saving is a journey, not a destination. It’s okay to start small and build up over time. The most important thing is to get started and stay consistent. Set clear goals, automate your savings, and celebrate your progress along the way. And don’t be afraid to seek out support from friends, family, or a financial professional if you need it.

Saving money is about more than just numbers in a bank account. It’s about taking control of your financial future and creating the life you want for yourself and your loved ones. So take that first step today, and know that every dollar you save is an investment in your dreams.

Here’s to your financial freedom and a lifetime of savings success!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Question 1: What are some strategies to develop a saving mindset?

A: To cultivate a saving mindset, you can:

• Set clear goals: A specific goal, like saving for a house or an emergency fund, can make saving more meaningful.

• Automate your savings: Set up automatic monthly transfers from your checking account to your savings account.

• Celebrate your progress: Set milestones and reward yourself when you reach them without going overboard and spending your savings.

Q: What are some of the best places to put my savings?

A: There are several options to consider for your savings:

• High-Yield Savings Accounts

• Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

• Money Market Accounts

• Retirement Accounts (401(k)s and IRAs)

• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

• Low-Cost Index Funds

• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

• Peer-to-Peer Lending

• Education Savings Accounts (529 Plans)
• Emergency Fund

Q: Is it wise to put my savings into stocks?

A: While investing in stocks has the potential for profits, it also comes with risk.

If you feel comfortable navigating market changes and have a long-term investment outlook, putting some of your savings into a mix of stocks or low-cost index funds might be an idea. Remember, investing in the stock market requires research, regular check-ins, and a solid investment plan.

Q: What is the importance of an emergency fund in a savings strategy?

Answer: An emergency fund is a crucial part of any savings strategy. It is a savings account that you only use in case of emergencies. Aim to save enough to cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses. This provides a cushion in case of job loss, medical bills, or other unexpected expenses. It’s recommended to keep your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account for easy access when needed.

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.

In recent times, Americans have experienced a massive revolutionary change in the world of finances. According to Google, 73% of smartphone users in America have used an app to manage their finances in the past month. Also, this generation of intelligent work has surpassed every aspect of life, efficiently modifying the basic operational processes.

The improvisation of A. I led to carrying challenging responsibilities of humans on their shoulders; for instance, at the tip of your finger, you have access to your transitions, credit score, unpaid bills, fees, and other liabilities. In addition, you can learn wealth management, essential financial behavior, and skills. For low-income households, a personal finance app is fundamental. This article will look at some of the best and most used personal finance apps to change your current financial status. Moreover, I’ll share some genuine reviews of users to provide valuable insight. 

Personal capital

With 3.9/5 ratings based on 703 reviews, personal capital has been regarded as the most convenient budgeting and investment tool; it features a tracker to monitor your spending and money connected to your bank account, credit card, IRAs, 401(k)s, mortgages, and loans. Furthermore, it incorporates a popular money-tracking dashboard with a summary of your finances. You may relate the significance of tracking net worth as it measures your financial stability. However, personal capital simplifies evaluating your net worth by including a net-worth tracker.

Here is the review found on the app website.

10/10 Recommend!

Personal Capital is my absolute favorite. It has enabled me to save more than I could have dreamed and has improved how I manage my finances. It has strengthened my financial judgments and effectively inspired me to achieve my financial objectives. – Sean.

Truebill

 

This app will facilitate you if you are a beginner in the financial region. This app has a free version with 4.3/5 stars based on 392 reviews. Still, suppose you want to benefit from additional features. In that case, the subscription fee for the premium version is between $3 to $12 per month. Furthermore, this app offers an unmatched perk. It negotiates mobile and cable bills for you; however, it takes 40% of the amount that has been arranged. Also, the actual account locates and monitors your monthly subscription and gives a comprehensive picture of your spending.

Reviews: Truebill promptly canceled at least ten unnecessary subscriptions for me. They also significantly reduced my bills. I couldn’t be happier in this climate when every dime matters.

I’ve tried several different budgeting/finance apps, and this is the best. Simple to use. Easy access to all my banking institutions. Excellent customer service for any difficulties. I would give a 10/10 to anyone searching for a budget/finance app.

You need a budget

Diligence and self-discipline while managing money can be hard to stick with; this is where you need to delegate some of the responsibility to the pros. People who use you need a budget to love it!

Review: This is hands down the best budgeting app I’ve used. Simple, easy, intuitive, yet detailed enough to get a reasonable budget going. Sadly, it does not handle investments, but it would make no sense to include that in the app. Highly recommend it for budgeting, though!

Mint

An app that offers an all-in-one financial picture in one place and categorizes your transactions and spendings with a tracking feature; what makes it different is the free version grants access to every effective tool.

Review: You have already assisted me in saving money. For example, ATM fees have saved me hundreds of dollars.

Spendee

With its exceptional features and tracking tools, this personal finance app makes it handy to manage your finances as a family.

Review: I love how it helped me in understanding household finances. Thanks, Spendee.

 Every dollar

Fans of Dave Ramsey, this will be interesting for you. EveryDollar, an app designed by Ramsey solutions, allows you to realize the importance of each dollar since every dollar has a purpose. Moreover, it gives you an excellent approach to effectively budgeting your money.

Review: Best app so far- David.

Mobills

This app will make finances easy for people who prefer staying virtually oriented. It features an engaging budgeting chart.

Review: Recommended!

Prism

Prism manages your bills and financial accounts in a single app. With around 11,000 billers, Prism is a reliable option.

Review: I managed my bills; this app is fantastic!

The PocketGuard

This app is accessible for both iOS and Android devices. It can help you negotiate better rates on your cable, phone, or internet bills. Currently rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by the review team.

Review: The free version has limited tools, but it worked well for me.

Stash

On the app store’s reviews page, the app has a rating of 4.7 stars out of 5. When you join Stash, you’ll have access to multiple budgeting tools, a brokerage account, and a debit card that acquires stocks.

Review: Stashing my future wealth with this app is an incredible tool!

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.

Financial education is more critical today than at any other time in history. It’s essential to increase the value of financial literacy to navigate the fast-paced life competently. In America, only 57% of adults are financially literate. It is an alarming ratio since the remaining 43% face terrible monetary challenges due to illiteracy. Your child could be among the 43% if you don’t teach them the value of managing money. For better comprehension, let’s go through the psychological research.

Psychological insight

As a result of comprehensive research, our values and attitude toward money are significantly influenced by ‘how our parents treated their finances.’ Simply put, our household is the backbone of developing our thinking paradigm. If your parents are financially literate, your outlook on money is comparatively different from a benighted individual. Additionally, a financially informed child is more likely to accomplish financial goals. This universal fact indicates the utmost importance of teaching your kids valuable lessons on money to provide them with a path and methods towards a gratifying future.

Lesson 1; Do not fall prey to victimization

In life, we are frequently confronted with devastating experiences that utterly shatter us, and we gradually lose our drive and ambition. Most individuals go through this; however, only strong-minded people can practically handle it, which originates from our parents’ nurturing.

Several individuals fall into the dilemma of blaming and belittling themselves, thinking things like, “I’ll never be wealthy,” “I can’t afford this,” “This is tough,” and so on. It occurs when parents lack to teach their kids that ‘money is an idea. It can be anything you want it to be. Some individuals strive diligently to achieve their goals. Conversely, there exist people who ‘wish’ to make it happen. The difference between both categories is evident. This solely depends on the parents’ understanding and perspective and how they choose to communicate the lesson.

Lesson 2; Interpret the ‘correct’ definition of financial intelligence

The amount of money you maintain and how hard it works for you is classified as financial intelligence. But unfortunately, financial intelligence is misinterpreted as how much money you make, which leads to repercussions of ignorance.

The right concept develops a positive attitude, allows our kids to be wise, rich, and financially intelligent, and assists them in distinguishing between what is right and wrong.

Lesson 3; Money gives you choices, not happiness

Whether you are wealthy or impoverished, make sure you are content. Success does not imply that you have no troubles and are always pleasant. Not everyone can find fulfillment in life. And it isn’t comforting to convey the impression that you’ll be happy if you get rich.

Lesson 4; Financial intelligence gives you freedom

Financial literacy is never taught in schools, so this responsibility is handed to parents. The future of your child relies on your guidance. For this reason, enrooting a good perception is essential. Several development psychologists have said that the years crucial for child development are from 9 to 15.

Lesson 5; Give them power over money

In the book Rich kid, smart kid, Robert T. Kiyosaki has explained a profound lesson, The more you need money, the less power you have.

I believe this lesson is so influential that it will sweep away the concept of being enslaved to money. Our children are exposed to a diverse range of human perceptions, either optimist or pessimist. It can sway kids if they have not been enlightened on what being powerful entails. Being rich signifies that money works for you rather than depending on it. In addition, financial intelligence can give your child the freedom you may be striving for in life.

Lesson 6; Life is perception

Life begins with perception. It treats you how you choose to perceive it. Do you know why poor people remain poor? Because their ideas are poor (don’t come at me, that’s not my claim, but Robert T. Kiyosaki’s). Regardless, money is an idea, and it can be anything you want, as mentioned earlier. But why does he encourage parents to focus on the perception of their child? Let’s ponder.

How is perception developed? As reported by the peak performance center, The process of forming a perception commences with your sensory experience of the world around you. Now, what is the world around your child? You and your spouse. Your child will learn what they observe at home. Our parents handed down the ideas of money and life. If only you could give them fantastic money lessons, imagine the outcome of their lives.

Lesson 7; Delayed gratification

Sit with your children and work on financial goals to demonstrate the concept of managing money. It will instill a formula of success in them. The surge of instant gratification is eroding self-discipline and efficiency. Instead, teach them how to strive hard and accomplish their specific aims.

Lesson 8; Keeping money rather than making money

How much money you keep is more important than how much you make since it will reflect later in life because people with a making-money mindset work for people with a keeping-money mindset. By this philosophy, you can help them learn the path to financial freedom.

Lesson 9; Pay yourself first

You are doing a fantastic favor to your child by teaching them the importance of saving money.

Lesson 10; Keep a record

Monitoring your spending has always proved to be fruitful. Make sure you give the incredible joy of tracking money. 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.

What distinguishes a potential entrepreneur from someone who will work for someone all his life, living paycheck to paycheck and taking almost no responsibility?

So, let’s try together to go through all the stages that a future successful business person will have to face.

Remember the goals of your life

Before starting your business, think about the goals you are moving towards in life. Practice shows that successful entrepreneurs are those people who have created their businesses in full accordance with the goals of their lives. If you do what pleases you, you will work harder and better.

Think frankly about your goals in life and the results you have achieved so far. Consider the values of life, position in society, career growth, financial condition, leisure activities, hobbies, preferred type of employment, willingness to take risks, and other essential characteristics of personal life. Do not forget to reflect on what brings you happy moments in life and what depresses your condition.

Choose a business model

Technological development has significantly diversified business models. Today you can start your business working full-time, part-time, online, at home, or on a factory floor.

In modern practice, there are seven business models:

1. Home business.
2. Work in production.
3. Electronic commerce.
4. Online store.
5. Franchising.
6. Patenting an idea.
7. Sales agent.

Develop a business plan

Having decided on a business organization model, start writing a business plan. It is a responsible step that should never be neglected. You will need to analyze the market situation, track the pros and cons of domestic and international competitors, draw up organizational and financial plans, identify risks and develop strategies to neutralize them, and calculate the project’s payback period.

A business plan is a sober look at the environment. Perhaps your services or products are already on the market in unlimited quantities. And your competitors successfully operate in this market. But do not despair; you will have a real chance to be competitive if you develop an innovative business model, do a knowledge management job, move on to relationship marketing, or do an industrial internship abroad.

Register a company

The choice of one or another legal form will affect:

• The way the company is managed.
• The financial liability of the founders in case of enterprise bankruptcy (limited or unlimited liability.
• Method of increasing capital.
• Features of tax accounting.
• A type of business insurance.

In foreign practice, the forms of legal activity are unified, which does not cause difficulties for foreign entrepreneurs to do business in any of the European countries.

Protect copyright

Long gone are the days when intellectual property management was considered a purely legal job. Today, you must develop an intellectual property portfolio for every entrepreneur. Remember that you only own a copyright in technology if you have registered the copyright. The instruments for protecting property rights are trademark registration, copyright registration, patenting, and confidentiality agreements.

Find funding

If a business from scratch is not your option, it is necessary to determine the required amount of financing to develop a business plan. When choosing funding sources, consider the legal form of the business organization and long-term and short-term business development goals.

Potential sources of financing for your business can be own funds, government grants, or bank loans. The Fund for Guarantees and Entrepreneurship Development are mentors, business angels, and venture capitalists at your service.

Build relationships with professional consultants

A successful launch of the company will not happen without the participation of an accountant, lawyer, banker, insurance agent, a specialist in the development and promotion of a website on the Internet, as well as a business consultant in the development of your business. An accountant will put your accounts in order. A lawyer will represent and protect your interests. An insurance agent will take care of neutralizing risks. A website developer will do everything possible to make your services appear on top in search engines. A business consultant will update your innovation management knowledge and support its strategic development.

Select a team

In a small business, the contribution of each member is essential. Each person in the team must be a “star,” i.e., bring the maximum for business promotion. Choosing partners is the same as choosing between success and failure.

Develop your brand

One of the critical assets of your company can be its brand. A brand is not only the name and logo of the company; it is a derivative of all points of contact with the buyer, namely: the distinguishing features of your company from competitors, the features of corporate culture and social responsibility, as well as the rationale for doing business with customers with you.

Start earning money

Get ready to move on to the monotonous and routine work of winning your market share. It is on how well you know how to concentrate on achieving your goal now that your success will depend. Remember that there are many around who want to earn more. And only a third succeed, making the project profitable. And now, to get into the coveted third, you need to roll up your sleeves and work.

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.

Firstly, cling to this; You are not alone in this; nearly half a million people are confronted with financial turmoil. Read that again, and feed this into your mind.

Get out of the victim trap and embrace these disguised opportunities to unveil your hidden attributes. Remember, diamonds are created under high temperatures and pressure.

Financial distress is one of the harsh realities of this life; things would have been much simpler if money wasn’t the focal point. We would have grabbed several opportunities that wouldn’t be possible without money and living a fulfilling life. Many people wouldn’t give up on their lives when challenged with financial stress or developing adverse health issues. Most marriages wouldn’t have dissolved. In a nutshell, life would have been a bed of roses.

Would this, however, unearth incredible hidden resilient abilities and drive human growth? If this were the case, many outstanding individuals would not have been created and achieved recognition during the failure period. Need an example? J.K. Rowling! Is there anyone who hasn’t heard of her before? A British author who has written best-selling fiction series. However, Rowling was an impoverished, miserable, divorced single mother who was also studying while writing a novel. Additionally, many publishers turned down Harry Potter, which is certainly hard to believe. But, because of her willpower and dedication, she is one of the most well-known authors today.

It demonstrates that financial achievement often results from economic adversity and other hardships.

It was only a small effort to help you feel better in the middle of your financial troubles. Because the worst is financial stress, let us delve into how to deal with financial catastrophes proactively. These ten strategies were gathered from various people who have overcome similar challenges in their life, indicating that they have been tried and proven.

Step 1: Diagnose the Problem

When afflicted with any obstacle, most of us, instead of being isolated and ‘wishing’ that things would get better on our own or assessing the intensity of the problem, map out a strategy and stick consistently to it to achieve recovery. However, which method has more probability of success? The second one! Determining circumstances, such as how bad it is and devising a plan to overcome them, is the most crucial step in financial crisis management. People we had conversed with told us that they would’ve gotten out of the crisis faster if they had known about this step before.

Step 2: Why Did the Financial Crisis Occur?

Common reasons for the financial crisis are loss of income, business closure, pandemic, death of a breadwinner, bankruptcy, loss of investment, illness, or emergency.

Whatever the reason, the adversity has arrived, and you are financially distressed. In this scenario, thinking realistically and detecting the root cause of the problem is the nucleus of recovery. Another golden piece of advice we received was ‘to stop blaming people and conditions around you; instead, own the situation since it gives you the power to overcome adversity.

Step 3: Cut Down Your Expenses

 

When you track your spending, you may realize your hard-earned money is often spent on something you don’t need. However, this strategy may not be easy to pursue since many non-essential items have now transformed into necessities in our minds. So, it would help if you were rational and honest while monitoring your spending and focusing on needs and direct survival items.

Step 4: Make a Revised Budget

When dealing with the financial crunch successfully, it’s essential to make a ‘revised’ budget and prioritize necessities for the recession; after overcoming that, you can go back to your luxuries with mindful spending.

Step 5: Seek Support From Your Acquaintances

During a challenge, what we deeply need is emotional and physical assistance. Be it encouragement, motivation, or money lending, these tools are compelling in changing your condition.

Please communicate with your close ones and ask them for any available opportunity or keep you in mind for any vacancy.

And if they can lend you the required amount, what could be more beneficial and kinder than this? You can pay them back after surviving the recession.

Step 6: Explore Government Relief Programs

Fortunately, the government has introduced many emergency assistance programs to provide urgent funds. Consider making a list of all the available government programs and applying for them. Look out for the eligibility criteria and make sure to meet the requirements. Here are some of the best assistance programs.

• Government food programs.
• Government help with utilities.
• Government help with housing costs.
• Government medical assistance.
• Nonprofit food assistance programs.
• Help with utilities from nonprofits.
• Nonprofit housing assistance for mortgage and rent costs
• Help with medical expenses from nonprofits.

Step 7: Apply for a Loan

If, in any way, you are not eligible for the grants, then getting a loan with a lower interest rate can be an excellent option for you. In addition, several banks offer emergency assistance loans to people struck by the financial crisis.

Step 8: Negotiate Your Bills

Here comes the most critical skill: negotiation! Bills and their mounting amount can be daunting. However, you can use your negotiation skills and reduce the sum. One of the worst outcomes of financial strain is a negative credit score; ensure it doesn’t get impacted severely.

Step: 9 Find a Side Gig

For the time being, look for ways to earn extra cash if your primary source of income is affected. It could be freelancing, tutoring, eBooks, or anything.

Step 10: Patience is the Key

Please do not lose hope during the overwhelming journey; it may seem impossible, but it is possible to achieve financial freedom; it all depends on your mindset and willpower. 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.

Have clear goals. Financial independence is achieved through clear goals and insightful planning. Moreover, planning is an intentional decision structured to accomplish objectives. This good cause has prodded multiple individuals to reach their aims.

A short guideline

Specific goals

• Track your cash flow. Budgeting is the heart of managing personal finance. Arguably, the most fantastic rule. If you are seeking ways to stay well-informed about where your money is going, a budget can help. Get a pen and paper, sit in a quiet place, and start writing your income, expenses, and debt. Then reflect on where you are making unnecessary expenses to prevent them in the future.
• Stop leaking money. Little drains from your wealth can result in financial instability. Seal up the leaks by tracking reckless spending. When managing personal finance, every penny counts, but if you allow it to drain quickly, then be prepared for the worst outcome. Temptation (impulsive buying) and costly addictions are the scoundrels here.
• Save before spending. Wealthy people regard saving as the cornerstone of creating wealth; I believe this fact is enough to compel you to save. The concept of ‘pay yourself first’ is religiously practiced by financially intelligent people. Why? Because life is uncertain, emergencies do not knock before coming in; they barge. But what if the person inside the room is already prepared to face the challenge? Sounds incredible, right? Likewise, when you build a saving cushion, you create a solid ground to fall back on when confronted with troubles.
• Understand debt. There are two types of debts: productive and unproductive. Effective debt is beneficial and indispensable to fund necessary operations such as running a business, financing expenses of a company, etc. Conversely, unproductive debt is harmful to your wealth and gradually consumes it. It is devastating. Moreover, with each passing day, you are mounted with higher interests and rates. Try to avoid them; if not, learn to pay and manage them intelligently.
• Avoid greediness. Many business owners and investors borrow unnecessary additional debt to make countless properties and shares and open more businesses. What’s alarming here is that when you are informed that this is adequate and I do not require more but still get influenced by the evil element, you lose the essence of being a ‘human.’ Then, even if you make tons of money, you will never be content and ask for more.
• Emotional discipline. What is fundamental for personal finance? Financial intelligence covers a dynamic field as well. Now, why should I adopt this? In life, several moments appear where you are squared up emotionally, and it can be merch launched by a favorite influencer or collectibles of the marvel series. It can be tempting to own them immediately, and the possibility of spending more than your budget is high here.

When practicing managing personal finance, avoiding impulsive buying and saving for the future is imperative. Who knows, you may be able to possess the entire collection with accumulated wealth over the years.

• Embrace technology. An intelligent person always simplifies things, such as delegating budget management and tracking spending to technology- personal finance apps. The market is outflowing with these apps; I kid you not, they are exceptional! People who struggle with savings or self-discipline are praising them tirelessly.
• Conduct an annual wealth check. You may have heard this at a monthly health checkup. As doctors greatly emphasize getting a checkup once a month, financial advisors similarly recommend individuals to have a wealth checkup annually. As health can deteriorate if not taken care of, so can your wealth. Furthermore, this rule opens doors to reflection on mistakes and further planning to curb them.
•  Credit card plague. Maintain 6 feet of distance, remember? Do the same in the case of credit cards. Perceive them as a dangerous plague that can consume your freedom. Though the notion; of buying now and paying later appears appealing to us, the act of prioritizing instant gratification takes hold of our freedom later in life.
• Live within your means. Do not spend more than you earn, and this is disastrous. You are left with no money to survive. Overconsumption has been a dangerous threat to people with paychecks, you may be glad to receive wages and tempted to spend on desirable elements, but the outcome is worse.
•  Get enlightenment. The world is dark without knowledge. Imagine you are reading these rules but don’t know how to initiate them? You can solve this if you buy a personal finance book or enroll in a course for financial management. In the longer run, this knowledge will help you significantly.
•  Financial analysis. When there is a problem in the corporate world, the first practical step is to analyze the issue’s status. You can apply this in your life by thoroughly analyzing your financial standings. Then assess how to make more money to add up to it or cut unnecessary expenses.
•  Cut off your expenses. I believe you may now have a good idea about irrelevant costs and how terrible they are. So, while budgeting, get rid of them as soon as possible to protect your financial security.
•  Make significant purchases mindfully. Lastly, ensure your money is being invested correctly when buying something big.

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.

Accounting is a topic that rare small business owners are interested in. However, as everyone will know, understanding the fundamentals of accounting largely determines the success or failure of your company. In other words, you should be familiar with three financial documents: balance sheets, cash flow statements, and profit and loss (P&L) reports. At first glance, they all seem a little tedious and complicated, but if you take them apart one by one, they are simple, especially when you have a free income statement template at your disposal. This income statement template fits perfectly into the business plan of any company, from small businesses to large corporations. Ideally, by analyzing income and expenses, you can save money and find backup opportunities to increase profits.

What Is a Profit and Loss Statement (P&L)?

The Profit and Loss Statement is also known as the Income Statement. It tracks your company’s income (or sales) and expenses over time. In other words, the income statement shows whether your company is profitable. Small business owners mainly use it to evaluate their performance and find areas for improvement and new growth ideas. According to the US Small Business Administration, it is the best tool for determining the profitability of your business. And because they are only a few lines long, some income statements and templates are relatively easy to create and interpret. Others can span multiple pages. However, it depends on your company’s size, stage, and complexity.

What Is the Purpose of The Income Statement?

Typically, the income statement is used to determine net operating profit or loss. If you’re making a profit, that’s fantastic! You can reinvest them, keep them, or do something else with them. If you are losing money, it indicates that your company is on an unsustainable path, and you need to figure out how to turn things around. Depending on who views the income statement, you can also use it for other purposes. When income and expenses are the same in economic essence, it is correct to curtail them. It is more convenient to perceive and essentially logical.

Investors

They will check your income statements for multiple periods to determine how successful your company has become over time. They may also collect data on the performance of your operations, competitiveness, and the viability of your company model. Note that the P&L separately shows the production cost (cost of goods sold, or COGS). It includes only direct costs for producing or purchasing goods you can identify. To simplify the situation, we have omitted taxes, which we will consider separately. Why do you need a profit and loss statement? Basically, of course, to analyze the profitability of the company. Again, it is beneficial to analyze profit and loss statements in dynamics and comparison with competitors: what is the company’s profitability, how does it change from year to year, etc.

Lenders

They will look at your P&L to see if your company can make a profit large enough to pay down loans and interest in the future. However, there are certain limitations to what income statements can do. They do not indicate the financial health of your company by themselves. They may reflect this in some circumstances, but billing practices or fraudulent transaction reporting may misrepresent (or mislead) them (intentionally or not).

Cost price

This expense includes all direct operating expenses. Those expenses directly depend on the number of goods sold/produced or services rendered, without which it is impossible to carry out the main activity. If you have offline retail, this is store rent, salaries for salespeople and consultants, the cost of purchasing goods, and so on. It includes expenses for core activities you cannot have at a price. It may be, for example, funds spent on advertising or the advice of a third-party lawyer. It does not include taxes and payments on interest on loans and borrowings, and we will take them out separately.

Managerial

Strictly speaking, operating expenses are optional – they may not be in the company. But still, this is a rarity because even the smallest business must have at least one person or outsource accounting – this is already a management expense. It includes the salaries of accountants, lawyers, directors, and other professionals who are not involved in the production of the main product, as well as rental of premises, postal services, purchases of office furniture and stationery, corporate parties, and so on. Just like any small-scale payment for advertising on social media. Networks or on sites like commercials.

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.

Accounting is necessary for business. Regardless of who handles the accounting for your business, it’s wise to understand accounting basics.

Income Statement

 An income statement shows how profitable a business is and how much the company has made or lost. (Download the template in excel)

Balance Sheet

 A general balance of the business’s financial situation also shows retained earnings and the number of earnings that have been reinvested (instead of being distributed to shareholders).

Profit and Loss (P&L) Statement

A profit and loss statement is a snapshot of the business’s income and expenses over a given period.

Cash Flow Statement

 A cash flow statement analyzes your company’s operating, financial, and investing activities to show how and where you are receiving and spending money.

Bank Reconciliation

 A bank reconciliation compares your cash expenses to your general bank statements and helps keep your business records consistent.

Basic Accounting Terms

Debits and Credits

Debits and credits track where your company’s money comes from and where it’s going. A debit records all the money expected to come into an account. A credit records all the money that will likely go out of an account.

• Debit
  • Increase goods
  • Decrease debts
  • Decrease income
  • Increase the balance of expense accounts
  • The balance of capital accounts decreases
• Credit
  • Decreases assets
  • Debt increases
  • Increase revenue
  • Decreases the balance of expense accounts
  • Increases the balance of capital accounts
  • Accounts receivable and accounts payable

Accounts receivable are money that people owe you for goods and services. They are considered property (assets) on your balance sheet.

Earnings

Accruals are credits and debts you have recorded but have not yet discharged. These can be sales you’ve completed but haven’t yet been paid or expenses you’ve made but haven’t yet paid.

Property (Assets)

Assets are everything the business owns, tangible and intangible. Assets can include cash, tools, property, copyrights, patents, and trademarks.

Burn Rate

The burn rate is how quickly the business spends money. To calculate the burn rate, choose a time. Subtract the amount of cash at the end of that period from your cash on hand, then divide that number by the number of months in the period.

Capital

Capital is the money you invest or spend to grow your business. Commonly known as “working capital,” capital refers to funds that can be accessed and do not include assets or debt.

Cost of goods sold

The cost of goods sold or sales are the cost of producing your product or delivering your service. Lowering your COGS can help you increase profits without increasing sales.

Depreciation

Depreciation refers to the decline in the value of your property over time. It’s necessary for tax purposes since more considerable assets that affect your business’s ability to make you can write off money based on depreciation.

Equity 

Equity relates to the money invested in a business by its owners. It is also known as “owner’s equity” and can include items of nonmonetary value, such as time, energy, and other resources.

Have you heard of “Sweat Equity”?

Equity can also be defined as the difference between the assets of the business (what you own) and what you owe.

A business with healthy (positive) capital is attractive to potential investors, lenders, and buyers. Investors and analysts also look at your company’s EBITDA, representing earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

Bills

Expenses include purchases you make or money you spend to generate income. Expenses are also known as “the cost of doing business.”

There are four main types of expenses, although some fall into more than one category.

• Fixed expenses are ongoing expenses, such as rent or salaries. These expenses are not usually affected by business sales or market trends.
• Variable expenses fluctuate with the performance and production of the company, such as utilities and raw materials.
• Accrued expenses are one-time expenses that have been recorded or reported but not yet paid.
• Operating expenses are significant for a company to do business and generate income, such as rent, utilities, payroll, and utilities.

Fiscal year

A fiscal year is a period that a business uses for accounting. The company determines the start and end dates of your financial year; some coincide with the calendar year, while others vary depending on when accountants can prepare financial statements.

Debts

Debts are anything your business owes in the short or long term. Your responsibilities could include a credit card balance, payroll, taxes, or a loan.

Gain

In accounting terms, profit, or “bottom line,” is the difference between your revenue, COGS, and expenses (including interest, depreciation, and operating expenses).

You pay taxes on your net earnings, so it’s essential to plan for your tax liability proactively.

Income

Your income is the total amount of money you collect in exchange for your goods or services before expenses are deducted.

Gross margin

Your gross margin, which is your total sales minus your COGS, this number indicates the sustainability of your business.

Small Business Accounting

• Open a business account linked to all outlets.
• Itemize all expenses by department.
• Comply with all income, employment, and excise taxes.
• Set up a payroll system.
• Identify the best payment method suitable for your needs.
• Periodically review and evaluate your processes.
• Consult with a professional or CPA.
• Accounting will help you see a complete picture of your business and can influence business and financial decisions.

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.