Income — Financial Fitness Blog — Financial Fitness Coaching

How Much Should You Pay Yourself as a Business Owner?

If you're a small business owner, you've probably had this thought at least once: “I'll just take whatever's left over at the end of the month."

It sounds reasonable... until the "left over" is either way too much or barely enough to cover groceries.

One month, you transfer $8,000 because business is booming.

The next month, you pay yourself $1,500 because a few clients paid late, and you don't want to touch the business account.

Before long, your personal finances are experiencing the same ups and downs as your revenue.

Too many business owners spend countless hours deciding what to charge clients, but very little time deciding what to pay themselves.

That's a problem. Your business exists to support your life, not keep you guessing every payday.

Creating a thoughtful compensation plan helps you build personal financial stability while giving your business the cash it needs to grow.

We learn exactly how you can make this happen in this blog.

The Simple Spending Plan That Actually Works (No Willpower Required)

Building a personal money management system creates more financial confidence than relying on willpower or hoping everything works itself out. Getting your finances in order starts with a simple snapshot of your income, expenses, and debt. Living paycheck to paycheck is often a structural problem, and small changes like automating savings and building a starter buffer can create real breathing room. The best money system is one that reflects your values, priorities, and lifestyle rather than following someone else's financial rules.

Stop Winging It: How to Build a Real System for Your Money

Building a personal money management system creates more financial confidence than relying on willpower or hoping everything works itself out. Getting your finances in order starts with a simple snapshot of your income, expenses, and debt.

Living paycheck to paycheck is often a structural problem, and small changes like automating savings and building a starter buffer can create real breathing room. The best money system is one that reflects your values, priorities, and lifestyle rather than following someone else's financial rules.

Are you ready to get your finances in order without overhauling your entire life? (YES, it is possible)! Check out our recent blog to read how you can stop winging it and build a real system for your money.

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to Better Cash Flow Planning

Many small business owners assume that once revenue increases, the financial stress will finally ease. Then they hit a bigger sales month and somehow still feel anxious every time payroll runs or a credit card bill comes through.

That disconnect frustrates people more than they want to admit.

On paper, the business can look successful. Clients are coming in, and revenue is growing. Maybe it's even the "best year yet." Meanwhile, the owner is sitting at their kitchen counter trying to figure out why money still feels tight.

That's usually a cash flow problem. The good news: cash flow is absolutely manageable once you understand what's going on and build a system that works for your specific business. That's exactly what this blog is for.

How Much Revenue Do I Need Before I Quit My Day Job?

Your side hustle is picking up steam, and clients are coming in. You’re doing the math in your head and thinking, “I’m bringing in $4,000 a month, and my paycheck from my day job is $3,500. I’m close.”

In reality, you’re not quite there yet.

Understanding why is what separates entrepreneurs who make a smooth transition into self-employment from those who have to crawl back to a salaried job six months later.

Your business revenue is not your paycheck. Confusing the two is one of the most common mistakes people make before going out on their own. If you don’t separate them, it’s easy to overestimate how “ready” you are.

So, before you send that “I quit” email, let’s take a closer look at what your numbers really need to support.

5 Money Management Tips Every Successful Adult Wishes They Learned at 18

Money touches nearly every adult decision we make, from career moves to marriage and retirement, yet most of us were left to figure it out through trial and error.

If we could change what we learned in school, here are five financial lessons everyone should have been taught, but weren’t.

How One Couple Tackled $60K in Debt While Still Enjoying Life

Most financial success stories skip the messy middle. They jump from "rock bottom" to "totally crushing it" with nothing but a motivational quote in between. Real life isn’t like that, and it's definitely not how Tim and Stacy's story played out.

When Tim and Stacy first reached out in November 2024, they weren't looking for a financial miracle. They just wanted to break even and maybe sleep through the night without anxiety waking them up at 3 AM.

Burnout to Breakthrough: How a Mindset Shift Paid Off $31,500 in Debt in 8 Months

Dylan had everything you're supposed to have to be financially successful: a well-paying corporate job, valuable professional expertise, and the work ethic to shoulder a second job when things got tight.

Despite all that, he was drowning.

Building Wealth Beyond Your 9-to-5: How to Create Multiple Income Streams

The traditional concept of working a 9-5 job for approximately forty years until retirement is slowly losing its status as the standard way of living. Many workers are seeking time freedom, early retirement, flexible and remote working conditions, and ultimately, they want their money to work for them (not the other way around). If you want to step outside (or even just supplement) the traditional employment framework, discover our tips for obtaining a side hustle and creating multiple income streams.

How to Build Wealth While Growing Your Small Business

Why, when you look at your personal finances, does it sometimes feel like there’s not much to show for it? This is one of the biggest frustrations I hear from my financial coaching clients. Driven, successful business owners making great money but still feeling like personal wealth building is stuck in neutral.

It’s not because you’re bad with money or because “you need to budget better.” (Ugh. Who wants to hear that?) It’s because building wealth as a business owner takes a different approach. The rules are a little different when you are the business. But with a few shifts, you can absolutely grow both your business and your personal wealth and feel great doing it.

Let’s talk about how.

Design Your Dream Life: A No-Nonsense Guide to Financial Independence and Freedom

You’ve built a thriving business, you’re crushing it in your field, and you’re ready to take control of your financial destiny. But what’s next? Enter the FIRE movement—an acronym that stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early.

FIRE isn’t about swapping your laptop for a hammock at 35 (unless that’s your thing). It’s about reclaiming your time, your choices, and your freedom.

Let’s break down how you can design your dream life without giving up your oat milk lattes or your sanity.

6 Smart Money Strategies for Business Owners with Irregular Income

Have you ever checked your bank account and thought, "Wow, I'm rich!" only to remember all that money needs to last until... who knows when? Welcome to the rollercoaster of variable income.

As a financial coach working with successful entrepreneurs, I've seen firsthand how irregular cash flow can make even the most successful business owners break into a cold sweat.

How More Intentional Spending Leads to Financial Freedom

Have you ever scrolled through your bank account at the end of the month, coffee in hand, wondering where all your money went?

With a little planning, alignment with what matters most to you, and intentional spending, you can start building financial freedom without extreme budgeting tactics.

Hot Girl [Financial] Summer: How to Budget for Travel and Fun Without Guilt

Whether you’re dreaming of lazy days at the lake house, exploring new cities, or simply enjoying the community pool with friends and family, a little financial forethought now can prevent a lot of stress later. After all, nothing ruins the memory of a perfect summer day faster than the anxiety of unpaid bills or mounting debt that follows you into fall.

So this summer, let’s embrace a new kind of “hot girl summer” — one where you’re looking good and having fun, and also feeling confident about your financial decisions.

But here’s the thing with resolutions: the people who stick to their financial goals aren’t perfect; they’re the ones who know how to create momentum to keep going in their journey. And the best way to do that is by celebrating wins along the way.

Spring Clean Your Finances: A Fresh Start for Your Money

Spring is all about fresh starts, so why not give your finances a little seasonal refresh? If your New Year’s financial resolutions have fallen by the wayside, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Now is the perfect time to dust off your budget, get back on track, and set yourself up for a strong financial season.

But here’s the thing with resolutions: the people who stick to their financial goals aren’t perfect; they’re the ones who know how to create momentum to keep going in their journey. And the best way to do that is by celebrating wins along the way.

Take the Time to Celebrate: How Recognizing Money Wins Fuels Financial Success

Studies have shown that by March, 78% of people have abandoned their resolutions (and only 6% of resolutions last beyond a year!). Not because they didn’t care or weren’t serious, but because of the simple fact that life happens. Unexpected home repairs, slow months in business, an impulsive shopping trip — whatever it was that may have derailed you, know you’re not alone.

But here’s the thing with resolutions: the people who stick to their financial goals aren’t perfect; they’re the ones who know how to create momentum to keep going in their journey. And the best way to do that is by celebrating wins along the way.

How Money Meetings Can Strengthen Your Marriage and Your Finances

Regular money meetings with your spouse can be a game-changer. They help prevent financial miscommunication, reduce stress, and (believe it or not) increase emotional intimacy. Yes, money talk can be romantic! It might feel awkward and overly structured at first, but with practice, these conversations will become second nature—and maybe even something you look forward to (no, really!).

Forget Resolutions This New Year: Focus on Sustainable Habits Instead

While New Year’s resolutions are filled with hope and promise, did you know that most are abandoned in the first few weeks?

Research has shown that around 80% of resolutions fail by February! Ditching resolutions is so common that the second Friday in January is known as “Quitter’s Day,” when most people give up on their resolutions.

Why do so many resolutions fail?

Reflect, Plan, Act: 3 Smart Steps For Next Year’s Holiday Saving Strategy

The holidays are magical—twinkling lights, joyful gatherings, and the thrill of giving gifts. But let’s be honest: they can also burn a serious hole in your wallet. Before the eggnog wears off, let’s talk about how this year’s holiday spending can teach us a thing or two about setting up for financial success next year. Ready? Let’s dive into some festive financial wisdom.

Financial Planning for Business: Is a Financial Coach Your Best Strategy?

Running a small business means wearing many hats, from overseeing operations and marketing to delivering exceptional customer service, all while keeping a close eye on finances.

However, for many small business owners, financial management can feel overwhelming or easy to push aside in the whirlwind of daily tasks. This is where financial coaching comes in.

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