Your husband might be interested in the topics I write about: how to write copy, how to get clients, etc.

I won’t put a link here. Just Google my name.

Anyway, I read the post about him losing his job. Not fun. I hope he’s able to get his business going quickly. I was in a similar situation two years ago.

In terms of accounting, I’m not good at it, so I have a CPA do it for me. Don’t know if that’s the best way… it’s just what I’ve done. Runs $250 a quarter, not counting annual tax returns: one for the corporation and one personal.

I was also able to get a free copy of Quickbooks Simple Start, which has been more than adequate for the basics — recording expenses, creating invoices, basic financial reports, etc. The software was an offer directly from Intuit (so it was all legal and everything), and it was listed on one of the “freebie” sites a while ago. Sorry I don’t have a link for you. Perhaps a web search would still turn something up.

Regarding business cards, I don’t know about their more expensive cards, but I’ve found that Vista Prints’ “free” cards aren’t very good quality. I much prefer Overnight Prints.

Good luck with everything!

@Annie – You’re so excited, you’re making ME more excited! Thanks for all the great information! I don’t think there’s anything unethical about using BitTorrent, as long as it’s just to try things out before you buy. I may look into that. That’s a good way to make sure you know you’ll use a program before you buy….and that is most definitely frugal! I’ll definitely email you if I have questions along the way, too! Thanks!

@Kandy – I am most definitely interested in the program, if you can find it! That would be a huge help! Thanks!

Just wanted to add that I *think* I have a couple programs that came with my new laptop that will do all the accounting stuff you want. I only use one of them, but have licenses for both. Let me see if the invoicing thing is an option, and if you want the other one I’ll put it in Sam’s package. I *know* it will do everything you could possibly want accounting-wise…even sync up with your online banking. You can break line items down by category, even split categories if you have a purchase that goes into multiple categories (like shopping at Walmart for instance…groceries, home supplies, clothing, etc all on one purchase).

Praying for you guys, always!