1. Review
Two months left in the year. Start cleaning out your "uncategorized expense" or "ask my accountant" accounts.
These accounts fill up quietly throughout the year: a Venmo payment you didn’t recognize, a transfer you meant to come back to. By March, nobody remembers what they were, and your tax preparer is left guessing.
Run a P&L for the year, click into these accounts, & categorize what you can.
2. Runway
December has a way of sneaking up on cash. Year-end bonuses, insurance renewals, holiday slowdowns, and annual software bills all tend to land in the same few weeks.
Take ten minutes this week and list what’s coming out between now and January 31. Then compare it to what’s in the bank and what you realistically expect to collect.
If the numbers are tight, better to know in November than on December 28.
3. Reflect
Before planning 2027, look back at 2026.
What (or who) brought in clients? What took the least time for the most return? Did you take work in 2026 you won't take in 2027? Why?
The answers to those questions usually tell you what the goals for next year should be.
Until next week
