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Blogs and Thoughts


Why 2026 is the year Sole Traders & Small Businesses should stop doing their own paperwork
Posted: February 2026 Read time: ~3 minutes Hey, if you're a tradie, consultant, creative, or running your own show right now, let me ask you something straight-up: How many hours did you spend last week on the paperwork side of your business? You know—the receipts, invoices, matching up bank stuff, sorting expenses. Did you squeeze it in during work hours, or was it after dinner at home, or on the weekend? Be honest. Was it 5 hours? 8? 10 or more? Now think about what your t
Lisa Johnstone
2 days ago3 min read


Outsourcing your Bookkeeping: Why the Fears are Bigger than Reality.
As a busy Australian small business owner, the idea of outsourcing bookkeeping often brings up the same worries: losing control, higher costs, mistakes, security risks, or communication headaches. These concerns are valid — your finances are the heartbeat of your business. But in 2026, with cloud tools like Xero and trusted local providers, outsourcing is actually one of the smartest moves most SMEs can make . Here’s why the fears don’t hold up, and why letting go can transfo
Lisa Johnstone
Jan 182 min read


Is Your Work-Time Completely Productive?
The Hard Truth for Every Tradie and Sole Trader You started your trade business to be your own boss, to work on projects you love, and to be rewarded for your skills. You did not start it to spend your days or evenings wrestling with accounts, scanning crumpled receipts, and catching up on emails. Yet, that's exactly where the profit often leaks away. Here’s the simple calculation that reveals the true cost of DIY bookkeeping. The Opportunity Cost Calculation This simple c
Lisa Johnstone
Dec 5, 20252 min read
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