“I Never Thought I’d Say This, But… I Think I’ve Joined a Cult (and It’s the Best Thing I’ve Ever Done for My Business).”
A year and a half ago, I was drowning in cash flow stress, juggling bills, and borrowing from my tax account just to get by. Fast forward to today—and I’m paying myself consistently, my tax money is always ready, and I even take guilt-free holidays. Here’s how it all changed.
Back in October 2023, I wasn’t just curious about finding a better way to manage my business finances—I was desperate for one.
I was completely stressed out with cash flow issues, constantly feeling like I was robbing Peter to pay Paul. And the kicker? I’m a bookkeeper. I should have known how to handle this stuff, right? But when you’re in the thick of it, managing your own business finances feels very different from managing someone else’s.
It all came to a head in a supermarket aisle. There I was, realising I’d overspent (again), staring at my bank app, and thinking, “It’s fine—I’ll just borrow from the tax account and put it back tomorrow.” Spoiler: it never got paid back the next day.
That’s when reality hit me hard—a $14,000 tax bill… and just $6,000 sitting in the bank. That sinking, stomach-dropping feeling? I never want to experience that again.
The Wake-Up Call I Didn’t Know I Needed
I went hunting for a solution. Not just another budget template or cash flow tracker—I needed something that would actually work.
That’s when I stumbled across Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. I devoured it. Before I’d even finished, I grabbed Profit First for Tradies by Katie Crismale-Marshall. That book hit differently. Katie’s approach felt real, practical, and totally relevant to businesses like mine here in New Zealand.
It wasn’t just about numbers—it was about changing the way I thought about money.
Fast Forward to March 2024…
By then, I’d paid off that dreaded tax bill.
I was finally paying myself consistently.
And when GST or provisional tax rolled around? No stress. The money was sitting there, waiting—exactly where it should be.
It felt like magic. But it wasn’t magic—it was just a system that worked.
What’s Changed for Me (and Why I’ll Never Go Back):
✅ I know exactly how much I can take from the business without worrying if it’s “too much.”
✅ My quarterly profit payments are kept separate from our family budget—reserved purely for fun, guilt-free adventures.
✅ The kids even know when "the business" is paying for something special. It’s become a family thing!
Some Profit-Funded Highlights:
🌊 Zooming down massive waterslides in Silverdale before Christmas
🚐 Adventures in Lola, our beloved 1956 Liteweight caravan
🏕️ Camping trips to Whananaki, Mangawhai, and Muriwai
These aren’t just trips—they’re memories. And they’re possible because my business finances are finally under control.
I Used to Think Managing Business Money Was Just About Survival…
Now? It’s about creating a life I love—without the stress, the guilt, or the constant worry of “Is there enough?”
Want This for Your Business Too?
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re always chasing your tail with cash flow, Profit First can change that.
✅ Step 1: Read Profit First for Tradies by Katie Crismale-Marshall. Trust me—it’s a game-changer.
✅ Step 2: Book a free discovery call if you’d like to chat about how I implemented Profit First in my business. I’d love to share what worked, what didn’t, and how you can make it work for you.
You don’t have to live with the stress of not knowing where your money’s gone. There’s a better way—I know because I’ve been there.
Standing proudly on my soapbox,
Amanda
