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Opening a small business is no longer just a trend. Millions currently own a small business or work for themselves as freelancers. As an entrepreneur, your main goal is probably having financial independence. After all, working for yourself is supposed to be freeing, isn’t it? Well, the answer is yes and no. As a business owner, you’ll always have to be present, even if it’s in the background of your business. However, there are ways to achieve financial independence on your own terms.
Pay Yourself First
Everyone says not to pay yourself until you see a huge profit, however, not doing so is one of the budgeting mistakes you should avoid as much as possible. As a business owner, you need to secure your financial future, and that means putting away money for retirement. Even if it’s only a minimal amount, you need to save for the future. If money is tight, you have several options. You could look for ways to save each month, or you could get a loan to cover your expenses.
Apply For Business Loan
It might seem counterproductive to take on more debt, however, if you’re able to cover your expenses, and save money for old age, it’s worth it. In addition, you can also look for other ways to fund your business, like crowdfunding, or angel investors. Both options can help free up resources, so you can pay yourself while covering costs. If you choose to get a business loan, create a spreadsheet of current monthly expenses. Also, add in any forecasted expenses and possible profits you predict in quarterly and yearly increments. This provides better insight into what you actually need without going too far in debt.
Be Frugal, Not Cheap
There’s a big difference between being careful with your money and being cheap. Whether it’s for business or personal, trying to cut too many corners may lead to overspending in the long run. For example, if you buy inventory and opt to use a cheaper version, you might end up paying more in the long run.
Delegate Work
Even if you’re on a tight budget, you should also hire outside help when there’s a lot of work. Working yourself until you drop will only cause you to lose money, but also put your health at risk. Having financial Independence shouldn’t mean working seven days a week without a chance to regroup. While entrepreneurs do work longer hours at first, they still need a day or two each week to decompress. You can hire freelancers to do just about anything, including social media, marketing, data entry, and customer service. There are plenty who charge a reasonable rate and do excellent work. You can also ask family and friends to pitch in, so you can take some time for yourself.
Do More in Less Time
Micromanaging everything might seem like a good idea, but it can also lead to burn out. It can also lead to costly mistakes. Invest in a time management app to keep track of everything you need to do each day, on a weekly basis, and even monthly. You’ll be surprised how much you get done in less time.
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