http://www.google.com/calendar/

As a writer, I get lost in my project and then space milestones, bills, due dates, and other real-life necessities. I decided on Google Calendar because the system will email me reminders, and I check email often. It has other benefits but I don’t want to sound like a Google Ad Word.–just thought I’d toss out this idea in case it would help anyone.

Thanks for the keyword and the nudge in that direction.

c.

The SBDC class was taught by a retired entrepreneur who now runs the SBDC for Albuquerque, while the tax class was taught by an enrolled agent. The SBDC class was light-years ahead in the value of the information given for running a small business.

Good point, but let me add a caveat: Make sure your teacher actually freelances and handles his/her own finances. So many accountants tell you the rules, but the rules as they understand them might not apply to your biz. Too many teachers don’t have the hands-on experience, only book-learning, which is not at all the same thing.

Also, I’d like to point out two resources that readers might want to consider:

1) The Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) sponsored by the Small Business Administration. Each state chooses how they set their SBDCs up.

Here in New Mexico they have about 21 SBDCs scattered throughout the state. I was able to download a well-written guide from the NM-SBDC website on starting a small business in NM.

I was also able to take a free 3-hour class on starting a business from my local SBDC office which covered a lot of important material–financials, legal issues, marketing, NM laws. There are also advanced classes on various business topics for a small fee.

2) Often there are inexpensive or free classes on taxes for small businesspeople–such as at a community college, department of revenue office for your state, or H&R Block. I found taking such a class a few months ago a real eye-opener for understanding the Schedule C and the tax implications of starting a freelance business.

Thanks, Melinda. (Although you may be the first person to call me sane in some time. ) And thanks for forwarding these!

I’ll be sending them to these posts from now on. Your explanations are so clear and accurate. It’s good to see someone injecting some sanity into the money discussion.

Thank you!

Exactly, James. I love secured credit cards. They make it possible to survive in the world (when everyone takes plastic and not everyone wants cash), but possible to stay out of debt. The entire post makes great points. Thanks.