Shoeboxes & Online Accounting
Do you do work for others on a one-off basis? FreeAgent is an online money management and accounting tool intended for small, service businesses of 1-3 employees. This will include most kinds of freelancers, contractors and consultants. Whether you are just getting started, or are already in business as a sole proprieter or limited company, FreeAgent can save you time.
A shoebox just won’t do over the longterm.
Could FreeAgent help you keep track? If you’re keeping your bills and invoices in a shoebox, a tool like this could be of great help if you’re a contract worker, or a tool like Mint.com, for your personal financials. Be sure to check with a qualified bookkeeper to make sure your financials are receiving the attention they need, whether you use a program like this or want to go a more traditional route. Regardless, it’s imperative to keep track of everything as you go through your year. Even if it comes to using a shoebox, better that, than nothing at all. 
- Paula, Your Guide to Internet Bookkeeping
Expense Tracking and Reporting
Did you ever wish you could jot down a quick note on costs of a business lunch, but have no paper…and forget to jot down the details when you get back to the office? You’re left several days later with a conglomerate receipt wich you divided into three…or was it four? You can’t remember and figuring these things out time after time can be a hassle!
I’ve found a new tool to help you though, and you can use it from your cellphone, computer, via Twitter, instant message, etc! Xpenser helps you record expenses as soon as they happen and forget about them. you can record expenses via whatever means are available to you quickly and painlessly. Send them in via Email, SMS, IM, or voice (call a number and say your expense). Use the Web interface to edit and finalize them, and be done with them. No more forgetting your cash expenses, no more half-day expense entry sessions!
- Paula, Your Guide to Internet Bookkeeping
Invoicing for Online Professionals
I just discovered another really cool tool! Ronin is a flexible application designed for creative professionals looking for an easy, affordable, web-based way of managing clients and invoices. As a Ronin customer, you are guaranteed free upgrades with your subscription – there are no fees or update costs.
Here’s a few things you can do with Ronin:
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Send invoices and track payments
Create invoices from scratch or generate them from projects. Easily send invoices through email to your client contacts. -
Send estimates and get approval
Send estimates and receive immediate approval over email. Resolve declined estimates with comments and history. -
Manage clients and time
Track hours worked in separate projects. Bill by the hour or by the project. Client contacts can log in and access past projects and invoices. -
Get paid quicker
Remove the hassle of chasing down payments. PayPal integration lets you accept payments through the web. -
Provide Log-ins for your clients
You can invite client contacts to log in and access their projects, invoices, estimates and archives.
Personal Finance Tool: Mint.com
Do you know how much money you have? What your income, outgo and debt really look like? Hiring a personal bookkeeper for your family or your business is one good way to keep track of these and other financial metics. But in addition to a bookkeeper’s help, it’s important to empower yourself on a DAILY basis to keep up-to-the-minute track of your finances. Luckily, with the advent of secure Web 2.0 applications, you can access a free tool to do all this online: http://www.mint.com. Use Mint to help you manage your personal finances. Try it, it’s easy and it works!
And when it’s time to meet with your bookkeeper, you’ll be that much more ahead.
- Paula, your Guide to Internet Bookkeeping
PS: Here’s what the Mint.com website has to say about why you might want to use their service:
Credit cards are convenient, but if you regularly carry a balance you could end up paying more in interest than you did for the thing you bought. Credit card debt can pile up quickly. Here’s how credit management from Mint can help you dig out.
Get a lower interest rate.
Add your credit cards to Mint’s personal finance software and we’ll instantly show you your APR and what you’ve been paying in interest and fees. Then we’ll analyze your spending and payment history to see if you’d save money with a new credit card— some offering 0% APR. Use our information to either get a card better tailored to your lifestyle, or negotiate a lower rate with your current company.
See where you’re spending.
With your credit and debit cards connected to Mint, we’ll automatically download and categorize your transactions for you every night. Check out your spending trends to see where you can improve.
Decide where to cut back…
Set realistic goals for the categories you’ve decided to cut back on. If you spent $200 dining out last month, try a budget of $150. Mint will send you a gentle reminder via email or text message if you spend over your personal budget.
…and reduce your debt faster.
Apply your savings to the payment on your highest interest credit card. Now you’re putting a dent in your debt. And Mint’s personal budget software will show you how your financial health improves when you do.