Spitfire Bookkeeping

My Savings Plan - Clip Coupons!

2011-09-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

I am embarking on a savings plan for a new car...Each month I am transferring a set amount from my checking to savings. In addition, I plan to transfer the amount I save each week by clipping coupons. Yes, it sounds like a lot of work or not all that much fun. But I have discovered that by watching the weekly grocery store ads for sales, clipping coupons from weekly fliers (Sunday paper) and the individual store coupons adds up to a lot of savings! This past week, I saved $12.55! Multiply that by 4 and that's $50/month. And I am just getting started...I hope to have enough saved within 2 to 3 months.

Out to Lunch

2011-06-05T16:21:00.000-07:00

One of my very favorite secret places to have lunch in West Seattle is Blue Willow. This little gem of a place has the best homemade soups, quiches and sandwiches! They also have my personal favorite, polenta with roasted vegetables. Delicious! Everything is made from scratch, with love and served luncheonette style - you order at the counter and sit down to be served. Next time you are in West Seattle (Tues-Fri from 11-2:30), stop in and grab a bite!

Getting Organized for Tax Time

2011-02-23T13:08:00.000-08:00

Trying to figure out what to do with that shoebox full of receipts again? The best way to get organized is to keep it simple...

Organize bank and credit card statements by month
Organize receipts by month, then by category - advertising, meals, office supplies, etc.
Get file folders and label by month

You can hire a Bookkeeper to help you develop a system once you get organized. This will drastically cut your costs and help you stay on track for next year!

New Office!

2010-12-10T08:15:00.000-08:00

Spitfire Bookkeeping has a new home in the International District! Just one block east of Uwajimaya in the Key Bank Building as of December 1, 2010. After I get adjusted to my new space, I will host an Open House sometime in the New Year. Thank you for your continued support!

New Clients!

2010-08-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful to be inundated with new business! As many of you know, my passion is to help provide bookkeeping & social networking services to small business owners. I am very proud to be adding these awesome folks to my current client website list: Heavenly Pastry & Cake, Karazi Design, Proletariat Pizza, Todd Guitars and Repair and Twilight Artist Collective! I would also like to give a shout out to those clients who are currently working on websites and/or blogs: Above & Beyond Remodeling, Amos Cleaning Services, and Work In Progress. Thanks to those of you who have given me these great referrals! I appreciate your trust in me and love you all!

The Power of Positive Thinking

2010-05-14T22:05:00.000-07:00

We often hear people say, "Think positively!" to someone who feels depressed or worried. How many people actually stop to think what the power of positive thinking means? Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits thoughts, words and images that are conducive to growth and success into our minds. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds. Riches, mediocrity and poverty begin in the mind.

What do you say to yourself when you are in front of the mirror each day? Try positive affirmations and tell yourself just how wonderful, smart or funny you are. Replace those negative thoughts with positive ones and be persistent! Change takes time.

Support Your Local Small Business!

2010-03-12T18:20:00.000-08:00

Yes, we are in a recession. And I know it's probably less expensive to shop at one of those big chain stores with the cheapest stuff around. However, think about the local mom & pop shop, auto mechanic, restaurant or boutique that thrives on your business. What does it really mean to live, eat and shop locally? Imagine the impact on our local economy if we all supported our small businesses! Keep it real by keepin' it local!

August 1937. "Storekeeper and wife in front of their store at Section 30. 'Bust' iron mining town near Winton, Minnesota." Medium format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Resettlement Administration.

Check out this great website that truly breaks it down for you: the 3/50 project

Change Is A Good Thing

2010-01-11T22:53:00.000-08:00

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies. ~Author Unknown

As the new year begins to unfold, I find myself in the midst of change. I am changing the way I think. Each day, I set my intentions for the day before I get up. And I realize that in most situations the only things I can change are my attitude, my reactions and my actions. I am changing the way I do business. I am currently working on marketing materials for expanding my business services. Social media, networking, blogging; oh my! Now for that change in going to the gym! Well, that one remains a work in progress, just like me!

The Holidays Are Here - Help!

2009-12-14T23:07:00.000-08:00

The holidays can be a stressful time for many of us; rushing around trying to find that "perfect" gift, making hand-made cards, baking cookies and going to visit the relatives. And that's if you have time for all that! I have learned the hard way, that sometimes you just have to do things differently, for example:

1. Say "No" - It's not always easy, but I try to say it kindly.
2. Spend less - My kids don't need the toys they see on TV (they only play with them once). They would rather get a board game that the whole family can play.
3. Have the relatives come visit after the holiday rush - Travel and gift exchanges are less expensive. This way you can buy gifts right after Christmas when they go on sale!
4. Go skiing/snowboarding on Christmas - One year my brother and I went on Christmas Day, it was not crowded at all and was a blast!
5. Relax with a cup of hot chocolate, stare at the tree and listen to Frank Sinatra - My personal favorite! Gets me into the Christmas spirit every time.

Have a joyous and wonderful holiday season! God bless us every one.

End of Summer

2009-09-14T21:10:00.000-07:00

Bumbershoot always symbolizes the end of summer for me. I have been attending this music festival for the last 8 years. This year, I got the opportunity to see Michael Franti & Spearhead, Franz Ferdinand and Modest Mouse. They were all really amazing but I have to say that Michael Franti & Spearhead had me mesmerized. I think it is a rare gift to be political, spiritual and positive all in the same night, let alone the same lifetime. It was wonderful to see so many people laughing, dancing and thoroughly enjoying every minute! Thank you Bumbershoot!

Tax Time Tips

2009-02-07T00:55:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's that time of the year folks - Tax Time! Do not fear though. If you have been keeping up with your bookkeeping, you are in good shape. However, if you have not been diligent in that area, here are some tips:

1. Don't Panic - Take a deep breath and call your accountant.
2. Start Today - Call a bookkeeper to see if they can help you get caught up NOW.
3. Don't Procrastinate - Don't wait until April 14th to start doing something about your books.
4. Breathe - If you don't have an accountant, CPA or bookkeeper, call your friends and business associates for referrals to someone they trust.

Good luck and many happy returns! - CJ

Bloggers Unite for World AIDS Day - December 1st

2008-11-25T19:07:00.000-08:00

This December 1st, 2008, BlogCatalog members are joining with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of HIV/AIDS Policy’s AIDS.gov for Bloggers Unite For World AIDS Day.

"Nearly half of all AIDS cases in the U.S. involve people 13 to 24 years of age, placing many of BlogCatalog members or their children in the highest risk age groups. More than 250,000 are estimated to be HIV positive and not know it. And more than 1 million are estimated to have AIDS. Of course, AIDS is not limited to the U.S. There are an estimated 33 million people with AIDS worldwide. It affects every country, city, and town in the world. And, the most frightening thing about it is that it is going largely unchecked."

Please get tested. It could save your life or the life of someone you love.

For more information, check out http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/DrugAbuse.html
and http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/

Question of the Week

2008-10-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

"How do I pay myself as a Sole Proprietor?" - Scott Moore of Bellevue Fine Art Reproduction http://www.bellevuefineart.com/

According to the IRS, sole proprietors and partners in partnerships are business owners, not employees. (Corporations are different - A corporate owner who provides services to the corporation is usually considered an employee. So as a corporate owner, you would use the same procedures to pay yourself as you do with regular employees.)

In Quickbooks, this is known as an "owner draw." You can take owner draws as money spent on personal items from the business account or pay yourself on a regular basis (depending on your profits). This is because as a sole proprietor, you and your company are considered the same economic entity.

Thanks Scott! -CJ

Beancounting & Bizniking!

2008-08-12T18:04:00.001-07:00

I love the fact that I could take time to co-present a workshop in the middle of the day. I love that I got to meet lots of interesting people from all different fields. I love that I learned about what I don't know and what I need to know for future presentations. I love that I got some insight into how people deal (or don't) with their finances. I love that I have the opportunity to practice my principles about empowering business owners to be involved in their financial health. I love the fact that I can continue to learn as I grow, change and evolve. And I love the fact that I helped to create a safe place for people to ask questions, even when I didn't know the answers! -CJ

Getting Some Attention

2008-07-08T22:48:00.000-07:00

Being my own boss is a blessing and a curse. I set my own schedule, try to work around my children's school schedule and often work many, many hours. However sometimes that hard work pays off...I was recently interviewed for an article on ABCnews.com! Read all about me on pages 2 and 3 of the following link.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/CareerManagement/Story?id=5293600&page=1

Artopia in Georgetown

2008-07-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

Ah, it's that festival time of year. When I am not actively working a festival, I love to explore the local art and music scenes. I got my photo snapped while I was waiting for my son to finish his spin art project. We had a fabulous time! -CJ

*photo by Grant M. Haller - Seattle Post-Intelligencer http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/368851_artopia29.html

Bicycle! Bicycle!

2008-05-28T17:30:00.000-07:00

"I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike..."

This past weekend, I spent 2 fantastic days cruisin the path around Alki. It was so much fun! With gas prices on the rise, I will be using this little pink Schwinn as my mode of transportation as often as possible. Look for me, as I travel up to the West Seattle Junction on Fridays for work! Peace - CJ