Fyscale Journal
Fyscale Journal
Plain-English guides to bookkeeping, taxes and cash flow for US small businesses.
Etsy SellersHoliday Inventory Planning for Etsy SellersHoliday inventory planning for Etsy sellers: forecast demand, set safety stock, schedule production and budget materials with a worked example you can copy.Read the guide →
BookkeepingSmall Business Expense Categories: A Practical ListA practical list of small business expense categories, with examples, how they map to Schedule C, and a worked month of categorized spending.
BookkeepingBank Reconciliation for Small Business: A Beginner's GuideBank reconciliation for small business, step by step: match your books to your bank statement, fix common errors, and work through a real example.
Sales & ClientsA Simple CRM for Small Business: Track Clients in a SpreadsheetSet up a simple CRM spreadsheet to track clients, pipeline stages and follow-ups, with the columns, dropdowns and formulas a small business actually needs.
FreelancingHow to Calculate Your Real Hourly Rate as a FreelancerUse this freelance hourly rate calculator method to find your minimum rate from target income, costs and billable hours, with a worked example that adds up.
TaxesForm 1099-NEC: Who Gets One and the New $2,000 ThresholdThe 1099-NEC threshold 2026 rises to $2,000. Learn who gets a Form 1099-NEC, which payments count, the January deadline, and how to log contractor pay.
Cash FlowHow to Build a 13-Week Cash Flow ForecastBuild a 13 week cash flow forecast in a spreadsheet: step-by-step setup, a worked holiday example, buffer warnings and a weekly roll-forward routine.
TaxesHome Office Deduction: Simplified vs Regular MethodHome office deduction simplified method vs regular method: who qualifies, how each is calculated, a worked example and how to choose the bigger deduction.
BookkeepingHow to Separate Business and Personal FinancesLearn how to separate business and personal finances: open the right accounts, route income, pay yourself on schedule and clean up mixed transactions.
Etsy SellersEtsy Fees Explained: What You Really Pay on Each SaleEtsy fees explained with real numbers: listing, transaction, payment processing and Offsite Ads fees on a sample sale, plus how to price so you profit.
InvoicingHow to Follow Up on an Unpaid Invoice (With Email Templates)A practical unpaid invoice follow up email sequence for freelancers and small businesses, with copy-paste templates, timing, and when to escalate.
TaxesSelf-Employment Tax Explained in Plain EnglishSelf employment tax explained simply: who owes it, how the 15.3% rate and 92.35% rule work, a worked example, and how to deduct half on your return.
BookkeepingHow to Read a Profit and Loss StatementLearn how to read a profit and loss statement line by line: revenue, COGS, gross profit, expenses and net profit, plus the five questions to ask every month.
TaxesBusiness Mileage Log: What the IRS Expects You to RecordWhat a mileage log for taxes must include, which trips count, the 72.5-cent 2026 IRS rate vs actual expenses and a simple routine to keep records audit-ready.
PricingHow to Price Handmade Products for ProfitHow to price handmade products: a simple formula for materials, labor, overhead and Etsy fees, wholesale vs retail pricing and a worked example you can copy.
Cash FlowCash Flow vs Profit: Why Profitable Businesses Still Run Out of CashCash flow vs profit explained for small businesses: why they differ, five ways profitable businesses run short of cash and how to forecast cash before it runs out.
InvoicingHow to Create a Professional Invoice: A Complete ChecklistLearn how to create an invoice that gets paid on time: the 12 details every invoice needs, numbering, payment terms, tax and a ready-to-use checklist.
TaxesQuarterly Estimated Taxes for the Self-Employed: Dates and How to PayQuarterly estimated taxes explained for the self-employed: who must pay, 2026 due dates, safe harbor rules, how to calculate each payment and how to pay online.
Etsy SellersHow to Track Inventory for an Etsy Shop in a SpreadsheetSet up an Etsy inventory spreadsheet that tracks stock, materials, reorder points and profit per product, so you never oversell or run out of bestsellers.
TaxesHow Much Should a Freelancer Set Aside for Taxes?How much should freelancers set aside for taxes? Learn how self-employment tax works, a simple percentage rule and a worked example for US freelancers.
BookkeepingHow to Do Bookkeeping for a Small Business, Step by StepLearn small business bookkeeping step by step: set up accounts, record income and expenses, reconcile monthly and read your numbers. No software needed.
TaxesSchedule C Expense Categories, Explained in Plain EnglishA plain-English tour of the main Schedule C expense lines, with examples, so you can sort business expenses all year instead of in April.