We have about 70+ days left in 2025. Can I ask you something that’s been on my mind?
Are you going to finish 2025 the same way you finished last year? You know that feeling – stressed about money, confused about your numbers, secretly hoping next year will magically be different?
Or are you ready to actually change things?
Here’s what breaks my heart. So many amazing business owners work incredibly hard all year. But when they look at their bank accounts, they think, “Wait… where did all the money go?”
If that’s you right now, you’re not alone. And we’re going to figure this out together.
Today, I want to show you exactly how to finish 2025 feeling proud and set yourself up to make real money in 2026. Not just revenue that looks good on paper, but money you can actually take home and breathe easy with.
Let me paint a picture. Does this sound familiar?
You’re really busy. Working long hours, saying yes to clients, hitting revenue numbers that would have amazed you a few years ago. You should be proud of that.
But when you look at your bank account, there’s this confused, sinking feeling. Like, “I know money came in… so where is it?”
Here’s what I think is happening. We get caught up in being busy instead of being profitable. We track numbers that make us feel good instead of numbers that actually matter.
Most of us think more clients automatically means more money. We think higher revenue equals success.
But here’s what I’ve learned: Revenue doesn’t pay your mortgage. Profit does.
You can have a six-figure business and still lie awake at night worried about money if you don’t understand what’s really happening with your numbers.
Nobody taught us this stuff in school, right?
We focus on money coming in because that feels exciting. But we don’t pay enough attention to the money we actually get to keep.
Here’s what happens all the time:
I get it. I’ve done this too. But let’s change that together, starting right now.
I need you to do something with me. No judgment – just clarity.
Grab your phone and log into your business bank account. (If you don’t have a separate business account yet, no shame – just make a note to get one soon.)
Write down three numbers:
Now do the math: Take number one, subtract number two, add number three. But for any invoice older than 30 days, only count half of it. (I know that feels pessimistic, but we’re being realistic about what you might actually collect.)
What you just calculated is your real cash position.
How does that number feel? If it made your stomach drop, that’s okay. That just means you’re being honest with yourself. And that’s the first step to changing everything.
Every business has leaks. Even mine. Even the most successful businesses I know. This isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being aware.
Here are the biggest profit leaks I see:
Underpricing: You’re charging based on what feels fair instead of what actually covers your costs plus profit.
Scope creep: You quote one thing but end up doing much more because you care about your clients and want them happy.
Inefficient processes: You’re spending way more time on projects than you need to because you don’t have systems yet.
Cash flow issues: You’re paying your expenses before clients pay you. You’re basically giving out free loans.
Tax surprises: You get to the end of the year and owe way more than expected.
I know “systems” can sound scary, but we’re keeping this simple.
You can’t improve what you don’t track. But you don’t need to track everything. Just the things that matter.
Here’s what you need to know:
Track each project separately. Know what each one actually costs you and what profit you made. Not just obvious costs, but your time and overhead too.
Check your cash flow weekly. Know when money is coming in and going out. This prevents those 3 AM panic moments about paying bills.
Watch your key numbers daily. Cash in the bank, money owed to you, money you owe others. Just a quick check – takes two minutes.
Set up automatic invoicing. The faster you invoice, the faster you get paid. Don’t wait until projects are completely done.
Follow up on overdue invoices. Money people owe you isn’t money you have. You deserve to be paid for your work.
Most business owners don’t actually plan. They hope. They cross their fingers and work really hard, hoping it all works out.
But you’re not most business owners. You’re here, learning, ready to do things differently.
Here’s how to actually plan for 2026:
Set a real profit target. Not a revenue target that sounds impressive, but a profit target that represents the life you want to live.
Work backwards. If you want to take home $150,000 and you make $7,500 profit per project, you need 20 projects. Simple math.
Price your services to hit those profit margins. Don’t guess or hope – calculate what you need to charge.
Build in buffer time and money. Life happens. Projects take longer than expected. Plan for it.
Set up a tax savings account. Put aside 25-30% of your profit every month. Future you will thank you.
There are specific things that will make a huge difference if you do them in the next 70+ days:
Clean up your books. Get those receipts organized. Make sure every business expense is recorded. You’re probably missing thousands in deductions.
Collect on old invoices. That money people owe you? Time to go get it. Make the calls, send the emails.
Buy equipment you need. If you’re going to purchase tools, software, or equipment anyway, do it before December 31st for the tax deduction.
Pay down debt if you can. Less debt means less stress and fewer interest payments next year.
Set up your 2026 systems now. Don’t wait until January when everyone else is scrambling.
Imagine starting 2026 knowing exactly how much profit you made last year. Not guessing – knowing.
Imagine having a clear plan for how much money you want to make next year and exactly how you’re going to make it.
Imagine pricing your services with confidence because you understand your real costs and profit margins.
Imagine having systems that prevent those middle-of-the-night money worries.
Imagine working fewer hours but making more money because you’re focused on profitable work instead of just staying busy.
This isn’t a fantasy. This is what happens when you treat your business like the valuable enterprise it is.
This might feel like a lot, and that’s okay. You don’t have to do everything at once.
Pick one thing from what we’ve talked about and do it this week. Maybe it’s calculating your real cash position. Maybe it’s setting up project tracking for your next client. Maybe it’s finally making those calls about overdue invoices.
Just pick one thing and do it. Then next week, pick another thing.
Small, consistent steps create big changes. Remember, you’re not just building a business – you’re building a life.
You’re creating freedom and security for yourself and the people you love.
The goal isn’t to work more hours or take on more clients. The goal is to make more money with less stress so you can actually enjoy this beautiful life you’re working so hard to create.
You deserve to be paid well for the incredible work you do. Now let’s make sure that actually happens.
