Household bills are expensive, and along with your rent or mortgage chances are most of your wages are taken up by them each month. And while bills are an inevitable fact of life, it doesn’t mean to say you have to pay well over the odds. There are plenty of things you can do to reduce your bills, and free up cash for the things you’d rather be spending it on. 

Save on Your Gas Bill

Getting your windows double glazed and having wall and loft cavity insulation is a great start to saving money on your gas bill. But there are things you can do that don’t involve getting builders in- if like me you’re renting you can’t exactly start changing things like this and so have to work with what you have. So to save money on your gas bill, turning off radiators in unused rooms is a good idea (as well as keeping the doors shut to those rooms!) You could also have your heating on a timer so it’s not being left on all day, and get plenty of cosy throws for your sofa to cuddle up with in the evenings. That way you’re not having to put the heating up so high all night too. 

So much electricity is wasted every day just from leaving products on standby. The Energy Savings Trust claims that up to £80 a year is wasted in most homes due to appliances left like this. It’s not difficult to switch something off properly when you use it, so try and get into the habit as much as possible. Another easy way to cut down your electric usage is to switch to energy saving bulbs. They're not expensive and it takes a matter of minutes to do, it's such an easy change to make but can massively help the environment as well as save you money. You should also make sure to service your heating and cooling systems so that they aren't leaking energy, causing your bills to go up. Speak with AC repair Clarksville TN services, or services within your area, to have them do a thorough check.

Save on Your Water Bill

In the UK the prices for your water bills are set, and there’s nothing you can do to haggle a lower price or ask them to reduce it. Between 1973 and 1990, the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue put a valuation on all homes, and it’s based on these valuations that the water companies work out your bill. Of course this is crazy, the value of a property can change drastically in that time (for better or for worse). The Valuation Office no longer changes these rates either, and so you’re stuck with the water bills you’re given. However there are a couple of ways around this. The first one is to have a water meter installed, this means that you only pay for the amount of water you use instead of a set bill. However this does mean that your bill could end up being higher if you use a lot of water, and is only really worth doing if you’re a single person living in a property (or are a particularly thrifty household when it comes to water). The second way is to get your own private water supply. This can be achieved with borhole drilling, it saves you money and also means you’re not at the mercy of the water companies for things like hosepipe bans. Boreholes can be done even in small gardens, and gives you access your own clean private water source. 

Save on Your Shopping Bill

One of the key ways to save money on food shopping is preparation. Draw up a weekly meal plan, and then write a list based on exactly what you need. Then follow the list religiously, if you’re easily suckered into deals and things you don’t need at the supermarket then consider doing your shopping online. When you know what you’re eating for the next few days you can be prepared, you’re never caught short wondering what to make and won’t end up resorting to expensive and unhealthy takeaways. If you’re strapped for time during the week, batch cooking at the weekend can be helpful. Make a big meal and portion it into freezer bags or tupperware boxes ready to grab and reheat when it’s late and you’re tired. Another great way to reduce waste and make your money go further is to add some store cupboard recipes to your weekly rotation. The kinds of meals that can be made cheaply using the dried and frozen food you already have on hand- no need to run out to the shops to buy more fresh ingredients. Think things like chicken pasta using dried wholemeal pasta, frozen chicken breasts and homemade tomato sauce using tinned tomatoes and herbs from the storecupboard.

Running a beauty salon is incredibly rewarding, as you get to make people look and feel great about themselves. It's a great business for those who love speaking to and working with people, and you get to develop your creativity too. If you already have years of experience of working in beauty, starting your own business and becoming the boss could be the natural progression of things. But what does it take to get set up in the business of beauty? Here's a beginner's check-list that will help you to make a success of your salon business. Ready? Let's go!

Finances

First of all, you need to think about money. Now setting up a business is expensive, there's no denying it. If you set out a budget and have a small emergency fund set aside though, you won't be left with too many nasty surprises. There are ways that you can save money too. Finding a premises that needs renovating but which you can work on yourself is a great place to start. If you want to create a unique look for your salon too, check out markets, auction sites and second hand shops for some bargains too. Remember, we all have to start somewhere. Do your paperwork! Rules and regulations don't inspire much enthusiasm, but they are important. By staying on the right side of the law you won't run into any trouble. So make sure that you have all the correct licenses, have liaised fully with your local authority and have taken all the appropriate training before you even think about opening.

What Will You Offer Customers?

One of the main things you will need to decide is what services you will provide at your salon. A lot of this will be based on your skills and qualifications, but you can also hire others in the beauty industry to work in your salon to provide extras to clients. You could consider hair, makeup, tanning, nails, waxing, brow and lash treatments and much more. It can be useful to take a look at established and successful salons and see the route that they've gone down. For example, Mimosa Beauty, an award winning beauty salon in Chelmsford offer pampering packages for mums-to-be, think of what you can offer on top of your standard treatments. 

Marketing Your Business

Now, you're about to open for business and you want to drum up some publicity. So get yourself out there! Network with journalists from local papers, fellow business owners in your area and even reach out to some bloggers and ask them to come into the salon for a complimentary treatment. Getting to know a broad range of people will really help you get your name out to a big audience. Don't forget to set up a website and some social media accounts too. These are a great way to keep your customers in the loop about any special offers and upcoming events. You can also use them to build up a friendly rapport with people– vital if you're going to get people coming back again and again.

Here's To Your Salon!

So there you have it – your quick guide to getting your beauty salon up and running. Of course, you'll need to do much more in-depth research but this is a good place to start. If you've got the funds and plenty of enthusiasm, there's no reason why you can't make your business a success. So here's to 2017 – a beautiful new year where the sky is the limit!

Are you looking for attainable actions, that will enable you to achieve a more fulfilling nine to five?  Of course you are! All of us want to achieve success at work, and doing so is about more than just turning up, logging on and getting through your tasks. Whether you're a career girl or run your own business, here are five habits that all of us should work on getting right.

Most of us have to borrow money at one point or another in our lives. Whether it’s to buy a home, a car, to study or for something else- there’s no doubt that lending can be extremely useful if it’s done in the right way. But other forms of debt can be a slippery slope, many people can find themselves in a position of becoming over committed, ‘robbing Peter to pay pay Paul’ and with so much interest that their monthly payments aren’t even taking money off the debt itself. But what exactly is good vs bad debt? Here are some of the ways you can tell the difference.

Examples of Good Debt

Good debt involves lending money for an investment that will grow in value, or generate long-term income. If you get a mortgage for house for example, not only do you save wasting money on rent each month but houses tend to increase in value as the years go on. Your own home can give you financial stability and is a solid, worthwhile asset to have. Financing a car can also be an example of good debt, it allows you to own a newer and more reliable car than you could afford to buy up front. This means less repair bills, and in some cases can be the difference between being able to own and car and not having one at all. You car gives you independence and might also mean you can take jobs further afield, giving you better opportunities. Money for study is another perfect example. Education will increase your chances of getting a job (or a better paid job) so is a worthwhile investment. 

Examples of Bad Debt

Bad debt comes about when people spend money they don’t have. Luxury purchases such as holidays, clothes on store cards and general spending on credit aren’t usually a good idea. When you have access to a lot of credit, it can be tempting to buy things there and then rather than saving up your own money or waiting until payday. It usually starts off innocently enough, but can spiral quite quickly and land you in a heap of trouble.

Where The Lines Get Blurry

The problem in life is that things are never entirely black and white. There are definitely some grey areas and blurred lines when it comes to good and bad debt. Take the car mentioned earlier for example- in some cases financing a car is an example of good debt. But if you’re financing that car just because you want a better or newer model (or can get around easily on foot or public transport) then it becomes just a luxury purchase. Expensive holidays might seem like a frivalous purchase, but what about using credit to fund the holiday of a lifetime? The memories and joy it could give your family might justify it as good debt. Use common sense, work out a budget and a spending plan which will help you keep on top of your finances.

We're often told as women that it's not possible to 'have it all'- kids, career and sanity! However this simply isn't true, while of course there are challenges to overcome with hard work and dedication it's possible to raise a family while earning money, keeping your skills sharp and maintaining your career. Whether you choose to return to work full time or stay at home with your children is entirely up to you, there's no right or wrong answer and it all depends on your personal circumstances. However if neither of these seem like the right option then there are ways you can find the balance, here are some examples. 

Reduce Your Hours

One of the ways you can find the balance between kids and career is by staying in work, but reducing your hours. This could mean working half days, or only working certain days in the week. This allows you to keep your skills sharp while having more time to spend with your children and keeping up with your commitments at home. Speak with your employer and see if they're able to accomodate you with this. Otherwise you could look for a stop-gap type job with part time hours which will earn you money and teach you new things until you're ready to get back onto the career ladder full time- search something like caregivers jobs near me. Something like this is ideal too as you likely already have many skills simply from being a parent.  

Women are increasingly prominent in international politics, and so it shouldn't be an issue if a politician, candidate or even a world leader is female this day in age. However despite countless protests and battles for women's rights throughout the generations, sadly prejudice is still very much present. The notion of a 'level playing field' when it comes to gender is still an ideal rather than a reality, however today's female politicians are paving the way to change that with their examples inspiring more young women to enter politics. These examples are some of the lesser-known women in politics who are nevertheless battling against the odds to do work that will benefit people in their country, regardless of gender. It's not just the fact of these women's successful careers that is inspiring, it's that they are also working tirelessly for causes they believe in, changing perceptions, and proving that they can make a positive difference in the world.

Fadumo Dayib

Fadumo Dayib was literally risking her life when she became Somalia's first female Presidential candidate. Despite four death threats to date, the Harvard graduate will stand in 2016 in the patriarchal and troubled country's first democratic elections since 1967. Dayib is highly articulate and extremely well-educated, despite being born to illiterate Somali parents and not fully learning to read and write until she was 14. After working for the United Nations in the field of public health, she decided she wanted to try to help her own country move forward. One of Dayib's main concerns is to change the culture of sexual violence in Somalia, where in 2014 the Human Rights Watch declared: "Here, rape is normal."

Jennifer Abubakar

The wife of former Nigerian vice-president Atiku Abubakar, Jennifer Douglas Abubakar founded the Gede Foundation in 2002 to provide high-quality treatment and care for HIV and AIDS sufferers, as well as training, advocacy and research. The foundation is considered pioneering in reaching out to underserved and highly stigmatised populations, and more recently has also made mental health problems in these communities a priority, despite cultural taboos around the subject across Africa. Dr Abubakar was also instrumental in the founding of the American University of Nigeria in 2005, the first American-style university to be established in Sub-Saharan Africa, following her own graduation from the American University in Washington, DC.

Emily Brothers

Courageous Emily Brothers is not only blind but also the UK's first openly transgender politician. Although the Labour Party candidate didn't win the seat she fought for in the 2015 General Election, she is winning her struggle against prejudice and discrimination. Her dignified response to disparaging comments about both her gender and disability in a national newspaper helped bring issues of LGBT rights into the spotlight, and the bold example of her embrace of personal qualities that could be seen as political liabilities by others makes Brothers one of the most inspiring politicians of any gender on the current landscape.

These are three very different women in different countries, fighting different circumstances, but all proving that politics is no longer a no-go area for women around the world. Whether they're fighting for women's rights or tackling wider issues of health and discrimination, these female politicians are determined that their voices should be heard.

Around nine thousand firms have been required to calculate their gender pay gap and publish their findings this year, and with big companies revealing their figures, the gender pay gap is a major talking point across the UK. The gender pay gap reflects the different average hourly salaries earned by men and women, with the percentage difference between average hourly earnings. Unlike pay inequality which compares the wages of men and women doing the same job - a gender pay difference at a company is not illegal, but could reflect the discrimination of women in the workplace in the modern day. The average gender pay gap across all medium and large-sized companies is now 8.2%, as measured by median pay. In other words men typically earn over 8% more per hour than women.

What is the difference between the gender pay gap and equal pay?

The pay gap isn't the same as equal pay. Equal pay means that men and women in the same employment who perform equal work, must receive equal pay. This was set out in the Equality Act 2010 and has been a legal requirement for 47 years. Under the Equal Pay Act 1970, and then more recently, the Equality Act 2010 it is against the law to pay people unequally due to their gender. The gender pay gap on the other hand is a measure of the difference between men’s and women’s average earnings across an organisation or the labour market. For example, a company might have a gender pay gap if a majority of men are in top jobs, despite paying male and female employees the same amount for similar roles.

When it comes to business, it's not just a case of 'build it and they will come.' Competition is fierce, regardless of what you sell you will have many competitors out there- all of which will be more established than you when you're first starting out. If you stand any chance of getting ahead and reaching your customers, you absolutely need the right marketing. Marketing costs can catch out new entrepreneurs, it's more expensive than you think to promote and get your name out there but it's vital for success. Whether you choose to enlist a marketing agency like iTonic or deal with your marketing in-house, here are some of the places your budget will need to be spent. 

Even if you find your work interesting and/ or rewarding, for most of us it's still not going to be the most fun and exciting activity in the world. When you work upwards or over forty hours a week, it's easy to find yourself bored or distracted at times, and generally losing focus. When you lose focus you affect productivity, and whether you're working on building up a business or reaching the next rung of the career ladder then this isn't ideal. We need to be working hard and working smart to get our daily tasks done, and so reducing distractions and keeping concentration is crucial. Distractions can come in many forms, if you work from home especially there are lots of things that can pull your mind away from work. This could be your tv, your kids bickering downstairs or traffic outside. Even if you're in a workplace, you can be distracted chatting to colleagues or browsing the internet on your computer. No one is perfect, and we're all going to have our minds taken off work from time to time, but follow these tips and you can massively boost your focus and productivity. 

Put Your Phone Away

As a business owner or a leader, you know very well how difficult it can be to find that sweet-spot between work and relaxation. Especially when you’ve dwelled deep into your job and feel the pressure from every corner to push through and succeed; while it might get you that promotion, it also increases your stress levels and takes away the precious downtime you used to enjoy. The best thing you can do for your team is to find ways to reduce their stress levels so that they’ll be able to stay healthy and active while working for you. They are, after all, the ones who look after your business - and you should look after them in return. Let’s start with their mental well-being.

Why a balance is important

When you spend a lot of time and energy on one area, you’re also prioritising it over everything else. It leads to less life satisfaction in general, a decreased sense of empowerment - and, at the end of the day, a very tired employee who returns home to her family. To have a balanced lifestyle and master different aspects of your life gives a sense of control and happiness; happy employees tend to have a better relationship with the management and a healthy sense of what belongs at work and what belongs at home. It’s the kind of employee your team needs.

How you can encourage a balanced lifestyle

While you’re hardly able to control how they spend their time at home, an employer is able to secure balance and happiness in the workplace by accommodating for this and offering certain benefits. An area for exercise, for example, is an excellent place to start. Needless to say, an active employee is less likely to call in sick and more likely to be happy and healthy, so make sure that your team is able to get their 30 minutes of exercise every day. Encouraging cycling to work, or utilising things like under desk exercise equipment could be the way to go. They will return the favour with sharp minds, able bodies, and gratitude towards the management. To take care of their financial worries is also a great way to reduce their stress levels. Finances are, as we know, one of the main stress factors in our lives - and the number one topic for couples to argue over, making your employees experience sleepless and sad nights on the couch. Think about employee financial wellbeing and look at options for making their worries a bit smaller.

Workers deserve a place to work that's clean and tidy and free of hazards. Hospitality laundry services, as well as other facility management assistance, operating in senior living spaces, for example, will benefit both staff members and residents by keeping spaces clean and taking some of the non-essential work off the hands of full-time staff members. Then there's commercial cleaning from offices, factories and warehouses. The right company will take care of that side of things for you. You just need to search for good local businesses (eg, commercial cleaning services in Toronto, ON if you're in Canada) with positive reviews and then contract with them for the necessary cleaning work.

If your workplace has experienced water damage from floods, storms, or mold issues, addressing these issues promptly is so important for maintaining a healthy environment. Look into Mold Remediation in Nashville, Middle TN (or somewhere local to you) to ensure that your employees are working in an environment free from health risks, enhancing productivity. Mold exposure can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and general discomfort, which may impact your team's performance and increase absenteeism. By prioritizing professional mold remediation, you're safeguarding your employees' health as well as demonstrating a commitment to maintaining a high quality work environment.

The internet is saturated with blogs- which is no bad thing. There really is room in the blogging world for everyone, what makes blogs so unique is that they’re written from real people’s perspective. Each blog is different because no two people will ever have the exact same views and opinions. However, it does mean that as bloggers we can struggle to stand out from the crowd. One way you can bring instant personality to your site is by changing the way it looks if you’re considering doing this here’s how you can go about it. 

Use a Premade Template

If you’re not a coding whizz and don’t have hours and hours to spare messing around with Blogger’s template settings- why not use a premade template? You could purchase one from Pigdig or Etsy, or even use a free responsive template from a site like Themexpose. These are usually compressed into one file that you simply upload in Blogger’s ‘theme’ menu option. All of the hard work is done for you, everything will be beautifully laid out, and it’s easy to add or remove the gadgets you want, so it’s completely custom to you. You get a template that looks clean and professional and is likely to turn out far better than attempting a template yourself unless you’re someone who has a lot of experience with these things. 

Have a Banner/ Logo Custom Made

Premade templates are fantastic, the only problem is they can look generic, and you don’t want your blog to look like every other out there. The way you can get around this issue is by having a beautiful banner custom made. Speak to a graphic designer or find an artist who offers this service on sites like Etsy, and let them know what you’re after. That way you get the best of both worlds, a neat and tidy blog that’s easy to install yet it can still stand out and be custom to you because of the graphics. If you’re having business cards and things created, you will be able to use the same vectors for those too. It will keep your theme and branding consistent throughout. 

Use Beautiful Images

The images you use in your blog post can also affect the way your blog looks overall. Choose high quality, clear and beautiful pictures and put one at the start of each post. Aim to take pictures yourself, but where this isn’t possible sites like Pexels and Pixabay are good. You can use any of the images for free, and you don’t even need to give credit. It’s your pictures that will bring your posts to life, and they will make your entire blog look better overall too. 

Format Your Posts Correctly

Another way you can make your posts (and your entire blog) look great is by formatting your posts correctly. This makes it easier for people to read and your blog looks nicer at a glance too. Split each post into readable sized paragraphs with subheadings in bold. Each paragraph should be at least four lines long, and each section should contain a different point.

Technology becomes more and more advanced every day; it's strange to think that not so long ago we lived in a world where most of us didn't even have the internet in our homes. In just a couple of decades things have advanced tremendously, and life is completely different. Safety and technology is a double edged sword- one on hand, it can create or facilitate crime such as cyber theft and fraud and even people wanting to steal high value tech items. But there are many ways that it makes our world far safer too, here are a few examples. 

In Our Homes

Home security is incredibly important. After all, this is the place where our loved ones are, our pets, our possessions that we've worked so hard for. Some of the ways that technology makes us safer at home is with CCTV and burglar alarms- however these days, these systems go a step further with 'smart technology.' They can link up to our phones so we can keep tabs on our homes from anywhere in the world. With CCTV footage now being backed up to the cloud, a  burglar can't simply break in and steal the footage. Burglar alarms can contact our phones and the police directly if they sound- so no risk of it going off and no one doing anything about it. There are lots of other ways smart home can keep us safe too. For example, being able to turn the lights on and off with an app can give the impression that someone is home when you're away. You can even do the same with plug sockets, turning on and off things like TVs and radios. If a burglar is scoping out your property, they're not likely to chance if it they think someone is home. Safety is important to all of us, however as women if can be a particular concern and something that you actively worry about especially if you live alone. Anything that makes our homes safer is no bad thing. 

Blogging has fast become a hobby and business for many people, and whether your niche is beauty, parenting, food, or anything you feel passionate about, I guarantee the imagery side of things will be vitally important. After all, a lot of us like to see things and pictures can definitely tell a thousand words, without even reading the blog content that accompanies the photographs. However, as blogs are everywhere and sprouting up all the time, it’s impossible to stand out from the crowd unless you work on your visual aspect and dedicate your time to your blog. I thought I would share with you some of the essential tips and tricks to help you improve your blog photography. 

Consider shooting on location

A simple way to add drama to your blog photography is to consider shooting on location. Any blogger will know that part of the work you receive is linked with brands, reviews or even you and your lifestyle. Often, shooting at home means you have other things that could take over the picture. This is why finding the perfect location for your pictures could really help to build your brand. Websites like http://www.1st-option.com/ have a great selection to consider. A location can help to enhance the item, product or the person you are trying to take a picture of. It can certainly help to build your brand. 

Think about a theme for the way your pictures look

Many bloggers are now considering a theme for the pictures they take and publish on their blogs and their social media feeds. They consider things like a colour scheme or even certain types of pictures giving them some form of consistency. It helps to build your brand as well as managing the expectations of your readers. 

Consider different types of photographs for different platforms

Any blogger will agree, it's essential to be on everything from Pinterest.com, to Facebook, Twitter, and the most visual of them all Instagram. Not to mention up and coming social medias like Periscope and Snapchat. So it’s a good idea to try and differentiate between the different platforms. Instagram is very visual and all about the lifestyle, where as Twitter, for example, could be more about in the moment and action shots. 

Take your time when editing 

The way you edit your pictures is so important to how you enhance the pictures you publish. So make sure you take your time on that. Thankfully, there are some great tutorials online on websites like http://www.techradar.com. Think about the contrast, the colour saturation and even cropping images to make them look better. 

Don’t be afraid to be a little different

Finally don’t be afraid to be a little different when it comes to the pictures you create. Many people love a light and airy look to their pictures, but if you prefer something a little darker, then don’t feel like you have to conform to the masses. Do what you love. After all, that is what blogging is all about.

On the surface, the idea of working freelance might sound like a dream come true. As a contractor or freelancer, you get to pick your projects and the people you work for. Furthermore, you have the luxury of doing them in your own time when you see fit - so if you want to work at 2am in the morning, you can. Whether you’re looking to go fully independent or just working for a company on a freelance or contractor basis, then it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of how good it will be - forgetting that there’s a flip side. For every peak there must be a valley, so what are the pros and cons of choosing this way of working?

PRO: Control 

When you're a freelancer it gives you control who you work for, the hours of day that you work, and how much you do for them. You can do more work on some days and less on others, you can fit work around your other commitments. If you’ve lived up until this point with a boss breathing down the back of your neck, it's a very freeing way to work. 

There are lots of reasons why you can end up in a career that's not right for you. Maybe when you started out in the world of work you weren't aware of the options you had, or perhaps you left school without the qualifications needed to pursue your dreams. You might have got into a job that was perfect for you back then, but as time has gone on and you've changed as a person, you feel like your role doesn't quite 'fit.' You might be overworked and feeling constant pressure in your life, or be underworked and under challenged and bored a lot of the time. Maybe you want to work a job that makes a genuine difference in the world, instead of spending your working life lining the pockets of a big corportation. Either way, there are lots of reasons that you could reach a point where a change of career seems like a good way to go. Here are some things to consider before taking the plunge.

Our careers are a huge part of our lives, and so any decision to make a drastic change shouldn't be taken lightly. It can help to first have your reasons set out as to why you want to make this change and what difference it will make to your life. That way, you won't get cold feet later down the line as it's clear in your mind exactly why you're doing this.  For many people, the desire for a more fulfilling career - one where they can make a real difference in the lives of others - is a major motivator for change. If you're looking for a role that allows you to provide meaningful support and care to those in need, caregiver jobs in Philadelphia (or in an area closer to you) could be a great option. These roles offer the chance to build personal connections while positively impacting the well-being of others, making them a rewarding career choice for those who value compassion and service.

 

A change of career will generally mean leaving a job where you're higher up and taking one where you're back at the bottom- or close to it. One of your reasons for changing career might be that the switch will allow you to eventually earn more money, but chances are you will need to spend time (sometimes years) building up to this. You may have to accept a bit of a knock to your salary at first, find out how this will affect the rest of your life and whether you're still able to afford your home, bills and everything else you need to pay for. A bigger salary long term could be worth the cutbacks in the here and now, do some research into how much you're likely to be able to eventually earn. And be sure to take regional differences into account, in regards to salary what is a good one in London and what is a good one elsewhere in the country will be vastly different.

While there are lots of bright young things out there, employers know what they are looking for and they realise potential when presented with it. So do all you can to improve yourself and your skills and if a change of career is right for you then get out there and go for it!

Graduates are finding it increasingly difficult to find a job relating to their course these days, but that doesn't mean that a degree is worthless. While you might struggle to get onto the exact career path you planned for, many job roles require a university degree just to apply. Having this kind of education and qualification behind you is never going to be a bad thing, you don't have to worry about paying debt until you're earning a significant amount each year so it's always worth going for it if you can. Here are some ways you can ensure that university does lead you to a great career.

You’re in business to make money. Yes, you might have goals beyond profit and a love for the work you’re in. However, at the end of the day, if your business is bleeding money then you won’t get to reach any of those other goals. As a small business owner (especially if this is your first venture) it can be difficult to find the balance and get your finances just right. Of course, you need to be selling quality products or services which cost money- but you need to be earning enough so that you're making enough back. Too many small company owners get into business without understanding how to really operate their finances, here’s how you make sure you don’t make that mistake.

Record Everything

Even before the business begins, it’s a good idea to get as prepared for bookkeeping that’s as simple as possible. Your tax and other contributions all depend largely on the reliability of your bookkeeping, and once you earn over a certain amount you will have to pay VAT too. So, if you need to register for VAT it's vital that you do so, and ensure that all records are being carefully kept. If you have many expenses to deal with in business, then it’s a good idea to start off by setting your business as a separate entity from yourself as a person. Having personal and business finances and expenditures tied together can make it very difficult to organize when tax season comes around. Accurate accounting of all incoming and outgoing money is essential for managing a cash flow plan, too.

Learn to Borrow Correctly

Record-keeping also shows that you’re using the money you borrow from investors and banks properly, too. When it comes to borrowing, you need to develop a more disciplined approach both inside and outside of the business. After all, getting in debt personally will put the business in danger too, as it will count as an asset of yours. Make sure that you have a reliable budget and plan for paying off any loan before you accept it.

Make Sure Your Money is Going Where it’s Supposed To

That budget shouldn’t only be used for paying debts, but making sure that you’re accounting for where your money goes as best as possible. It’s easy to find yourself spending more than you expected when it comes to taking on new projects in the business or making an attempt to expand. If you spend money you shouldn’t have, however, it can get you in real trouble. Especially if you’re spending money that should be going to any employees you have. If you have a larger workforce, then it might be a good idea to use payroll consultants to ensure they’re taken care of as soon as possible. You don’t want your forgetfulness jeopardizing the whole business.