Is Financial Planning a Team Sport
Boring? Scary? Intimidating? Tedious? Overwhelming? Or maybe even…How do I not get ripped off? What about Team Sport?
The Secret — The Simple, Secret, Nerdy, Best Business Idea Ever
You guessed it; I am going to talk about data. I’ll keep it short and sweet and address these three areas — Why data matters. What kind of data do you need? How to get your team started. Why does data matter. Data matters because it gives you and your team…
When Your Profession Comes Calling
During my career, I have been blessed to serve my profession in many capacities, local committee chair, national financial literacy board member, public relations spoke person and active member. A few months ago, I was asked to serve in a new way. To develop a series of podcasts that revealed h…
The New Approach to Retirement Planning: part 3 {PFP Section}
Being in the people business of personal financial planning often requires shifting from an expert with all the answers to a coach who ask questions and listens. In this episode of the PFP Section podcast, Mackey McNeill, CPA/PFS, gives you the framework she uses for her first meeting with her retirement clients…
The Most Important F Word in Financial Planning
The most important F word in Financial Planning. When I say financial planning, what pops into your head? Boring? Scary? Intimidating? Tedious? Overwhelming? Or maybe even How do I not get ripped off? What about Fun?
The Head Center — The Dynamics of Money — Using the Enneagram for Conscious Transformation
Continuing our journey into The Dynamics of Money, this podcast explores the head center, Types 6,7 and 5. If you are a head type, have a boss, spouse or good friend that is a head type, this pod will help you understand more about the habitual ways of thinking, feeling and behaving with money that are naturally present for types 6,7, and 5.
The Heart Center — The Dynamics of Money — Using the Enneagram for Conscious Transformation
Continuing our journey into The Dynamics of Money, this podcast explores the heart center, Types 3, 2 and 4. If you are a heart type, have a boss, spouse or good friend that is a heart type, this pod will help you understand more about the habitual ways of thinking, feeling and behaving with money that are naturally present for types 3, 2 and 4.
The Body Center — The Dynamics of Money — Using the Enneagram for Conscious Transformation
Continuing our journey into The Dynamics of Money, this podcast explores the body center, Types 9,8 and 1. If you are a body type, have a boss, spouse or good friend that is a body type, this pod will help you understand more about their habits of thinking, feeling and behaving with money.
Futurism & Your Tax and Financial Planning Business {PFP Section}
Change is a universal constant. You want to be equipped to embrace it so that you can best serve your clients as the geopolitical and economic landscapes evolve. In this podcast, Mackey McNeill, CPA/PFS interviews futurist, David Houle to get his perspective…
The New Approach to Retirement Planning: part 2 {PFP Section}
Being in the people business of personal financial planning often requires shifting from an expert with all the answers to a coach who ask questions and listens. In this episode of the PFP Section podcast, Mackey McNeill, CPA/PFS, gives you the framework she uses for her first meeting with her retirement clients…
The New Approach to Retirement Planning: part 1 {PFP Section}
When Mackey began her business, she approached financial planning from a technical and data driven perspective. She quickly found that clients often didn’t take steps to implement the recommended plan. In part 1 of the new approach to retirement planning series…
Take Back Your Time A Business Owner’s Guide to Self Planning
As a business owner, it’s on you. No matter how competent your team is, how loyal your customer base is or how fast your market is growing, the success of your business and the prosperity of all those that are a part of it lie squarely on your shoulders. That’s why it is essential for you to put …
Grow4Ways Leveraging a Simple System for Breakout Growth
Grow4Ways is for any business owner wanting to clarify & refine their growth plan and for leadership teams looking for alignment on strategic growth opportunities. Grow4Ways is a simple tool to help you change your mindset, sort your options for growth, narrow your focus to the most impactful opp…
The New PPP Legislation What You Need to Know [2021]
Join Adam Reynolds, CPA for an hour-long overview of what you, as a small business owner, need to know about the new PPP legislation, best practices for application submission and full forgiveness, as well as creating a “necessity clause” defense.
Is Joy a Choice?
What if everything I consider “negative” is the seed of a gift? What if the universe is wise? What if moments I might initially rebel against are actually moments given to me by a benevolent universe to help me become a better human. One with more patience, persistence, humility, love, or wisdom?
Business By Design in five questions
Every business on some level is a business by default meaning that a system, client base, product, service, or culture was created in the vacuum of an intentional and designed system, client base, product, service, or culture.
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!! – A Case Study in Creating 90 Day Sprints
There isn’t a business planning structure out there that doesn’t include some sort of quarterly goals & reward tool. EOS, Aileron, Great Game of Business, Ownership Thinking…. the list goes on and on. Our Prosper […]
Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s Lessons on Legacy
Changing the world with 4 simple tools: Vision, Honesty, Planning, and Passion My life and my Mother’s life are just one generation apart, yet they were starkly different. When my Mother married, she dropped out of the workforce. It was what women
Grow4Ways — Leveraging a Simple System for Breakout Growth
Grow4Ways is for any business owner wanting to clarify & refine their growth plan and for leadership teams looking for alignment on strategic growth opportunities. Grow4Ways is a simple tool to help you change your mindset, sort your options for grow
Economic Update — Fall 2020
businesses should be seeing – or soon will be experiencing – some recovery in their operations. Having said that, we do not anticipate a “full” recovery until mid-2021. There are numerous risks that could derail the recovery. Most notably, of course, a second wave of COVID-19 that causes governors and other governments to shut down their economies again.
Limiting Beliefs
Where are you limited? Your mind. It can be the gas in your engine of success, or it can be the brakes, stopping or slowing your progress. Your limiting beliefs show up in conversation. They show up in your mind chatter.
The Business Owner’s Biggest Tax Trap
It is impossible to build wealth without paying tax. Taxes are on sale, so buy now. Focus your time and energy on making your business as profitable as possible. Then engage a CPA who looks at your tax expense through a wealth creation lens and enjoy watching your wealth grow.
Should I Take Advantage of the Payroll Tax Deferral Executive Order?
On August 8, 2020 President Trump put into action a payroll tax relief for employees with taxable wages that are less than $4,000 during a bi-weekly pay period through an executive order. Employers are able to defer withholding, deposit and payment of the Social Security taxes on those wages during the period of September 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. This is not an exemption of the tax, but strictly a deferment.
How Many Clicks Does It Take?
I’m an entrepreneur; I love building things. My favorite part of growing a new company is sharing ideas about great products and services with potential buyers/customers. My favorite part is marketing, particularly when it works […]
Harnessing the Power of Education and Training: Leadership Through Learning
I believe the first thing business owners need to understand is the difference between training and education. Training is utilized when you are trying to increase the uniformity, efficiency and repeatable quality of your product or service. Education is utilized to increase the autonomy of your employees to reduce the need for heavy handed management, nimble response, and increased customer/client satisfaction.
Is Hyperfocus Ruining Your Creativity?
When you think of your business life, do you feel like you are on a steel bridge or a swinging one? Or somewhere in between? If you don’t feel completely confident in your business structure you are doing yourself and your business a disservice. When you have to hyperfocus on where your metaphorical hands & feet are or which way the wind might blow you are using all of your big beautiful brain power to not die (again, metaphorically). And that’s no way for a business owner to operate.
Are You in the Womb or the Tomb?
It’s a scary time. The novel coronavirus. The government ordered shut down of schools and businesses. Massive unemployment. Social unrest. Remote everything. Change is in the air. It’s not the kind of change that is happening to someone else, it is personal, shifting your daily life in numerous ways. Change creates uncertainty. It can feel like the ground beneath your feet is moving. Where to you go to find certainty? Stability? Peace? Inside.
The Mackey Money Minute — 3 Rs to Recovery — Reimagining Physical Space
In this series we are exploring three R’s to post coronavirus recovery: 1. recovering revenue 2. reimagining structures 3. rethinking people We looked at six ways to recover revenue and now we turn our attention to reimagining structures. Structur
An Entrepreneur’s Largeness
Bestselling author, Sue Monk Kidd said in a recent interview with Brene Brown on her podcast, Unlocking Us, “Every person has their own particular genius, that is their largeness, that is unique to them. Bringing it forth is a life’s work… It’s frightening to think of having this part of ourselves, this magnitude, this passion in ourselves… Bringing forth your largeness is a gift to the world.”
The Mackey Money Minute — 3 Rs to Recovery — REIMAGINING STRUCTURES — Financial Strength
How have you always thought about your company’s financial strength? As a function of ongoing cash flow? As cash in the bank? As your available line of credit? As your debt to equity ratio? As intimately inter
What I Now Know to be True: Reflections on being a CARES Act Advisor
I became the team’s CARES Act expert and began work with small businesses (whether they were clients or not) to help navigate the PPP and EIDL loan landscapes. In the days, weeks and months that followed I began to encounter over and over again the true spirit of the Nation’s entrepreneurial community.
Seeing the Bigger Picture: How One Entrepreneur Transitioned His Business
As the business grows, experiences ups and downs, and presents what seem like a never-ending series of demands, the owner may feel like their business owns them, not the other way around. Below is the story of my journey from busy entrepreneur to retired and how I was able to plan and accomplish the transition.
The Mackey Money Minute — 3 Rs to Recovery — Revenue Revamp Goals
I am a huge fan of goals. I believe, to reach its’ potential, every small business needs a detailed annual plan. A plan is similar to a budget, but different two very important ways. A plan is all about goals and it has built in accountability.
The Mackey Money Minute — 3 Rs to Recovery — Revenue Collaboration
The ideal of a solo warrior going into battle to beat the competition is past. Now is the time for partnering and collaboration. Partner promotions have existed forever. But social media has turbo changed them.
Currant Leaves & Other Joyful Things
It is tempting to bow to the mind chatter that fills my head as soon as I awake. To make my first task, my to do list. But I did not go into business to be a slave to it. I started my business to serve my passion for helping business owners, while at the same time giving myself the gift of creating the life of my dreams. Dreams of joy and morning strolls.
The Mackey Money Minute — 3 Rs to Recovery — Revenue Bundling
What is your value meal? Because of the COVID virus and its related economic impacts, change has become the norm, not the exception. As a result, the ground is fertile for experimentation. One easy strategy to test out new ideas that will grow your
The Mackey Money Minute — 3 Rs to Recovery — Revenue Resilience
“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The next best time is right now.” Resilience is the ability of a substance or object to return to its original shape after being bent, stretched, or pressed. Revenue resilience is the ability of your revenue stream to recover after an unexpected economic event. Resilience gives you the capacity to survive unexpected events, so you can thrive when the recovery comes.
The Mackey Money Minute — 3 Rs to Recovery — Revenue Friction
Friction is anything that makes it harder for someone to buy from you. As you recover revenue, how can you reduce friction in your sales, marketing and production processes? Think Amazon one click. Find what you want, one click and it arrives at your door. How can you embrace technology to make it easier than ever for clients and customers to buy what they need, from you? Examples of simple new technology tools that reduce friction are proposal software that gives instant and consistent feedback, calendar software making appointments easier to set up, auto billing software, content sharing and management tools, sales engagement, and of course, communication and conferencing software. Begin looking for places to reduce friction by mapping your process from marketing to sales, to production. Determine the current cost and time in each bucket. What is your 80/20 here? What 20% of your marketing, sales and production process is dragging 80% of your cost and increasing time and friction? Begin here as these are your most significant drags on profits. Gather a cross functional team and begin to deploy new ideas and technology. Keep asking, what makes it easier and faster for clients and customers to work with us? Right now, change is easier. With social distancing and business closures, everyone’s life has been impacted in some way. Change is no longer slow, it is fast, and constant. Your clients and customers are expecting change. And they are more willing to forgive you if things don’t go well the first time out of the box with a new change. For retailers, most bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, the journey from a customer’s home to your location is friction. If this is you, health and safety may be your biggest challenge in reducing friction. Over communicate and make your safety process front and center to the client experience. Spend a few minutes right now to capture your first thoughts on areas of friction in your process. Who are the best team members to gather for your cross functional team? Make notes now while things are on your mind. Set a time line for getting started. Join us next for a look at Resilient Revenue. Mackey
Create Efficiency to Create More Time
There are things that we must do in life to get ahead personally and professionally. Not all things are fun and easy. We just need to put on our big girl/boy pants and get them done. Maybe we should not do them with a lazy attitude, but we can make sure that we are doing them in the most efficient manner. Here are 5 simple changes to make that will help you get things completed more efficiently.
The Mackey Money Minute — The 3 Rs to Recovery — Revenue Passion
Recovering revenue runs the spectrum from regaining your customers trust in terms of health and safety so they feel safe continuing to do business with you, to completely reinventing revenue as you now know it today. The old idea, “this is the way we do it here,” must go. Along the way, attempt to rediscover your passion
The Mackey Money Minute — The 3 R’s to Recovery Introduction
The 2020’s were already shaping up to be the most disruptive decade in our history. Accelerating technology, increasing impacts from climate change, generational wealth transfer on a massive scale, as well as a global leadership vacuum, were setting the stage for an accelerating pace of change… before the novel coronavirus came into our lives. With COVID, it’s like we all boarded the Starship Enterprise, just as it was moving into warp speed.
Why Your Top Line isn’t Your Most Important Number
If you have ever played or watched golf, then you are probably familiar with the phrase “drive for show and putt for dough.” The idea here is, your drive can be a great and an impressive shot, but you don’t win tournaments and make money (dough) if you’re not putting well. I think this same concept applies to the way business owners think of their top line revenue.
Are you the Fuel, Engine or Engineer?
Simply put, an engine is a machine for converting energy (fuel) into motion. And an engineer is a person who designs, operates and oversees an engine. Most business owners start out expect to be all three: fuel, engine & engineer for their startup. We bootstrap, use sweat equity, and “build the plane as we fly it” all in the hopes that little by little we find other sources of fuel to create motion within our business and build a sturdy engine to generate the profit & lifestyle we envision. We start generating cash, hiring a team, sourcing vendors, creating structure, investing in capital, etc.
Having Your Cake And Eating It Too
Having your cake and eating it too – Plan your transition and choose to keep working You love running your company. Some of your friends have retired. You saw how excited they were when their […]
Covid-19 Cash Flow FAQ
Covid-19 Cash Flow FAQ Q: What is your number one tip to improve cash flow? A: There are many things that you can analyze on your balance sheet from accounts receivable and inventory […]
PPP & EIDL Loan Update 5/1
COVID-19 Daily Communications Information accurate as of 05/1/20 PPP & EIDL Updates: It was confirmed Thursday by the Treasury and Small Business Administration that on Wednesday agencies temporarily shut out big banks from the […]
The Prosperity Playbook is a #1 Amazon Best Seller
Thanks to you, The Prosperity Playbook, snagged BESTSELLER status on Amazon! “The Prosperity Playbook: Planning for a Successful Family Business Succession” How Prepared Are You to Turn Over the Keys of Your Business […]
Covid-19 Daily Communications 04/24/2020
COVID-19 Daily Communications 04/24/20 Highlights: The Senate and the House have passed the $320 billion second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) stimulus relief dollars as of Thursday. A Presidential signature is expected as early […]
Congress Reaches Deal on $450 Billion Package
COVID-19 Daily Communications Information accurate as of 04/21/20 Highlights: PPP & EIDL Loan Update Congress appears to of passed a new $450 billion stimulus deal–with another $370 billion earmarked for popular small business funding programs. The […]
COVID-19 Daily Communications 04/14/20
COVID-19 Daily Communications Information accurate as of 04/14/20 Highlights: SBA Economic Injury and Paycheck Protection Loan Program Updates High demand for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) has led to important changes limiting the size of […]
Need Loan Application Help?
The Paycheck Payment Protection program application window is now open! While many applicants are having success with the process there have been challenges to some, for instance, Wells Fargo has stopped taking applications. If you’re […]
Cash Flow Tools
If you are like many of the business owners that we work with, you are scrounging together how to maintain as much business as possible during these tough economic times and trying to keep up […]
Which Road To Take?
With so many possibilities, it is hard to determine which Covid-19 Stimulus option is right for you. Answer the questions above to start thinking through which next step to take. To access the links and […]
3 Tips In Business Survival From A Recession Veteran
As a business owner, this is my fourth recession. With three under my belt and one in progress, I consider myself an accomplished recession veteran. That doesn’t mean I don’t sometimes feel uncertainly or fear. […]
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Explains Coronvavirus Emergency Loans
The U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE did a great job of summarizing the Coronavirus emergency loans for small businesses. Some highlights include answering the essential questions of: Am I eligible? What will lenders be looking for? […]
Is the Paycheck Protection Program really free money?
as of April 1, 2020 4:37pm The short answer is YES! and no. The amount of the loan that is eligible for forgiveness is equal to the amount the borrower spent on the following items […]
Cares Act & Paycheck Protection Program
(Information accurate as of 03/30/20) Highlights: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), signed into law on Friday March 27, 2020, introduces the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) with $349 billion in funding and […]
Senate Passes $2 Trillion “CARES” Act
COVID-19 Daily Communications (Accurate information as of 03/25/20) Highlights: Senate passes $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. In the early morning hours. Wednesday the Senate passes the most sweeping stimulus package […]
Creativity & Community Will Save Us
(Information accurate as of March 24th 2020) Before we begin, I acknowledge that I am writing this from a place of privilege, and that many of us are sick, dying and/or on the brink of […]
COVID-19 Daily Communications 3/23
(Information Accurate as of March 23rd 2020) Highlights: Senate fails to pass $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, stalling the enormous measure for the second day. The bill failed 49–46 just […]
How MACKEY Can Help You Manage Your Cashflow (and a few other things!)
We are living through a time of duality. We must do the BIG work in our business to take excel when the economy comes back online, however, we need to be frugal and manage our […]
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Families First Coronavirus Response Act Comm 2020.03.18 (Information accurate as of March 18th, 2020) It is our hope at MACKEY to continue bringing value-added conversations to our clients and prospects as it relates to an […]
Business Owner 911 Response
Business owner 911 response to COVID-19 Below is a list of response business owners can take to weather the current economic system. Cash. Cash. Cash. Know where you are and if you don’t forecast cash, […]
We are all in this together
(This information is accurate as of March 13th 2020.) Just when we think the world can’t move any faster, it does. Like many of you, my thoughts and actions around the coronavirus (COVID-19) have changed […]
We are now on 100% renewable energy!
In an effort to truly model the need for a more sustainable operation, we will begin the transition this week to 100% renewable energy with the installation of a solar panel system on the roof of our Bellevue Kentucky office.
3 Things You Need to Know that Make 80% of Financial Statements Worthless
I have reviewed thousands of small-business financial statements in my career. More than eight in ten are pretty much worthless. The financials produced are generally riddled with errors and unusable for decision-making purposes. While the financials […]
What’s Your Make or Break?
What could make you? What could break you? Neither should be a straw on the camels back. A company’s Make-or-Break is the one thing your company must do exceptionally well in order to achieve its […]
Open Book Management in 3 Easy Steps
A 2016 Robert Half report found that 25% of privately held companies share all their financial information with their employees, an increase in 18% from just four years prior.[1] This trend demonstrates that financial transparency […]
Plan Your Work Then Work Your Plan
After meeting with thousands of small-business owners in my career, my experience is that less than 2% of them have an annual plan. Yet when I ask clients what stands out about our work […]
Choosing the Greater of Two Goods
Last year, I was helping Colleen, a new client, explore her company’s expansion into the craft brewery business. She had two location options, both of which were very lucrative. One was a dock from an […]
Your Intention Deserves Your Attention
When I started my business, I also wanted to begin a family. I made a decision that my role as business owner would be flexible and secondary to my role as mom until my child […]
$545,000 In 9 Months Isn’t impossible
My team at MACKEY™ took a business that was at a loss of $385,000 in April of that year and by the year end had a profit of $160,000. No, it wasn’t a loan. It […]
2019 Economic Review
Even with slowing economic growth, 2019 proved to be a banner year for both stocks and bonds. Favorable policy developments occurred that helped buffer the global manufacturing recession sparked by the trade war. Key takeaways […]
Tax Checklist
It’s everyone’s favorite time of year again. No, I know the holiday season is over. I am talking about tax season. Alright, I know it’s not really your favorite time of year. However, hopefully we can […]
Is Your Business Ready for 2020?
Whenever I tell people what I do for a living, they just assume I only work for four months of the years during tax season. Well that couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, we […]
Spiced Bean and Sausage Soup
A prosperous winter supper Nothing fits more perfectly into a cold winter evening than a bowl of hearty soup. This one will warm your insides and put a smile on your face. Because it is simple […]
A Prosperous Mindset = A Prosperous Life
I was raised in the South in the 1960s, when a woman’s place was in the home. If I dared to think otherwise, all I had to do was look around. Almost every kid had […]
Want 2020 to Really Be Different?
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but I do take this quiet time at the end of the year to reflect and acknowledge all the learning, growth and stumbles of the past year. 2019 has been […]
End of 2019 Projection
What might 2020 hold for global financial markets? Broadly, more of the same … Volatility. The past year has experienced significant instability for the financial markets. December 2018 saw stocks sell off significantly only to rebound […]
Ginger Pumpkin Scones
Ginger Pumpkin Scones A prosperous holiday breakfast For me, food, really good food, is an essential part of my prosperity. I love to cook and this blog post contains one of my favorite winter recipes, Pumpkin […]
She’s not stopping any time soon
No, I am not retiring – yet I am going to violate one of the rules my mama taught me, a lady never tells her age. Here it comes, I am 64. Next year on my birthday, […]
Sarah Grace becomes President of Impact 100
It is with a huge congratulations that we announce our Chief Operating Officer Sarah Grace Mohr is going to be the President of Impact 100 starting in 2020. This organization has been a passion […]
Do You Listen or Just Hear?
Have you ever had a conversation with someone and thought, “are they really listening to me or are they just nodding their head in agreement?” It is also frustrating to have someone lend a response […]
Every Business Needs 5 Types of People
I took a long & very winding path to where I am today. It started when I declared theater as my major in college, then took a 90 degree turn when I was accepted to […]
Why Every Business Owner Needs a Doula
Merriam-Webster Online defines a doula as a person trained to provide advice, information, emotional support & physical comfort to a mother before, during and just after childbirth. When I was pregnant with my daughter in 2015, […]
Lost in Translation — Cost Rates
Have you ever been in a meeting and half way through felt like you were going to be sick? You learned that something you have been doing for a very long time wasn’t accurate and […]
Discussions & Decisions When Adding a Partner or Shareholder
Adding a partner or shareholder is not simple. As with any agreement involving money, spending the time having difficult conversations up front is well worth your time and energy. A clear agreement avoids unnecessary conflicts […]
Can Bookkeeping “Spark Joy”?
With the new year brings a fresh start for many people. A time to put the prior year behind you and begin the new year with a clean slate. It is also a time to […]
The Power of Asking a Stupid Question
When you were young, your teacher said, “there are no stupid questions.” You believed her once. Raised your hand and asked a question. Then at recess your classmates teased you unmercifully. You made up your […]
Market Moving News
As of this week, the government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history. Granted, it is only a partial shutdown. Previous wholesale shutdowns occurred in January 2018 over immigration (specifically saving DACA-Deferred Action for […]
You’ve Got a Budget…Now What?!
As we enter the home stretch of 2018, most small businesses have already begun and finalized the process of putting together their budget for 2019. Time for reflection is over and most organizations are looking […]
Light a Fire Under 2019 | 6 Simple Steps
Whether you’ve knocked 2018 out of the ball park or you are tired of being disappointed at year end. If you want to make 2019 better, this article is for you. The biggest opportunity entrepreneurs […]
3rd Quarter 2018 | John’s Market Commentary
Well, 2018’s third quarter earnings season is history. It was pretty much a repeat of both the first and second quarters. The U.S. economy will stay strong in 2019 and inflation will tick-up above 2% […]
To Niche or Not Niche
You’ve heard it a million times. You hear the word niche and think “Oh that sounds great, but I can’t simply choose only one because I love working with all of my clients.” Then you […]
3rd Quarter Economic Update | November 2018
It can’t get a whole lot better in the U.S. job market (or can it?). The employment situation continues blast through expectations. The number of Americans losing their jobs and applying for unemployment benefits each […]
Document Retention Guidelines
It is hard to believe that we will soon be saying “goodbye” to the Year 2018! With the closing of the year usually comes the time to think about purging items in order to make […]
Ask Mackey Episode 10 | 2018
Here at Mackey Advisors we have a “4 ways to grow your business” tool. In a recent client coaching session, while using this tool, we arrived at 52 different strategies to grow the business. After considering the […]
The 4 Ways To Grow Your Business
Here at Mackey Advisors we have a “4 ways to grow your business” tool. In a recent client coaching session, while using this tool, we arrived at 52 different strategies to grow the business. After […]
Revenue Rate of Growth
One of the questions we often hear from our business clients is, what did my revenue do this month? While this is a standard question, it is not always the best question to ask and […]
Ask Mackey Episode 9 | 2018
Most business owners are lousy at finance. The brutal fact is finance isn’t your first love. You just want it to work and not scare the heck out of you. The good news is, you […]
8 Steps to a Stronger Financial Foundation
Most business owners are lousy at finance. The brutal fact is finance isn’t your first love. You just want it to work and not scare the heck out of you. The good news is, you […]
2nd Quarter 2018 | John’s Market Commentary
Well, 2018’s second quarter earnings season is history. It was pretty much a repeat of the first quarter. Once again, if you were to read the headlines, you would be led to believe the end-of-times […]
Stop the Distractions!
Distractions are everywhere. Plain and simple. Everyone has them. Whether it be issues in our personal lives, constantly reading through the barrage of emails, hiring and on-boarding that new hire or finding the perfect office […]
Ask Mackey Episode 8 | 2018
Team outings are a great way to create connection inside your team, let them learn about each other as everyday people and reduce workplace stress. Do you find it a stretch to invest in fun […]
2nd Quarter Economic Update | August 2018
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 4.1% in the second quarter of 2018, according to the “advance” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This is up from 2.2% in the first quarter. The […]
3 Tips for Creating a Fun and Effective Team Outing
A great team is key to a high performing company. Investment in your team, with great coaching, training and feedback is essential. Brian Scudamore, in this Forbes article, puts forth the idea that team building […]
Benefits of Proper Inventory Management
For some businesses, inventory can be one of their largest assets and/or their largest expense. Poor inventory management can make or break a bottom line. Below are some benefits of proper inventory management: Improves cash […]
The Tariff Tiff and History Repeating Itself
“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” – Mark Twain Financial crises have hit the global markets on a regular basis throughout history. And it appears financial crises will continue to pop up at […]
Don’t Shoot the Messenger, Two Tales of Financial Sorrow
“When you argue with reality, you lose, but only 100% of the time.” – Byron Katie Optimism and financial data are both double edge swords. Too much of either is a slippery slope. Excessive focus […]
The Wonderful World of Sales Commissions
Congratulations, you have done it!!! Your business is taking off, and the demands on your time have taken you to the point where you no longer have the capacity to manage all aspects of your […]
Ask Mackey Episode 6 | 2018
Optimism is essential for an entrepreneur. Your ability to see possibility propels you into business. In tough times, it is what keeps you in the game. As an optimist your attention is on tomorrow, on […]
Optimism & Data
“When you argue with reality, you lose, but only 100% of the time.” — Byron Katie Optimism is essential for an entrepreneur. Your ability to see possibility propels you into business. In tough times, it […]
Kentucky Tax Update | 2018
On April 13, 2018, Kentucky legislation passed a new tax bill into law. Instead of reading the thousands of pages of the new tax law, which I know many of you enjoy dearly, I thought […]
1st Quarter Economic Update | May 2018
Our economic indicators continue to run positive for the first quarter of 2018. Consumer spending, business investments and residential fixed investments rose at a 4.6% annual rate. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a broad measure of […]
Ask Mackey Episode 5 | 2018
Entrepreneurs are born with a “Fire Now” gene. The Ready and Aim of it all is lost on us. The good news is we are wired for action. The bad news is we often fail […]
Planning Is Everything
Entrepreneurs are born with a “Fire Now” gene. The Ready and Aim of it all is lost on us. The good news is we are wired for action. The bad news is we often fail […]
Garbage In, Garbage Out
The concept of garbage in, garbage out is used in computer science when flawed, or nonsense input produces nonsense output or “garbage”. I use this phrase a lot when I am working with clients on […]
John’s Market Commentary Q1 | 2018
Well, 2018’s first quarter earnings season is in the process of winding down. The first quarter of 2018 had considerably more noise with respect to earnings because of the new tax law changes. However, earnings […]
Trade Tactics: New Metals Tariffs Reflect U.S. Policy Shift
On March 8, 2018, President Trump imposed a global tariff of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminum imports.1 A tariff is a tax on a particular class of imported goods or services that is […]
Ask Mackey Episode 4 | 2018
It is easy to talk about accountability and responsibility when it relates to others. When you turn the mirror on yourself, it can be painful. Our cultural norms are to look outside of ourselves. For […]
Holding Yourself Accountable
It is easy to talk about accountability and responsibility when it relates to others. When you turn the mirror on yourself, it can be painful. Our cultural norms are to look outside of ourselves. For […]
What’s The Value?
We are a society obsessed with finding a “good deal”, which is why customers today place such a heavy emphasis on pricing. This leaves the business owner with plenty of questions: What should I charge? […]
Beware — New Scam!
There’s a new scam going around we want you to be aware of. If you receive a call from someone who says they are from the IRS, and you need to pay a tax bill […]
Ask Mackey Episode 3 | 2018
At Mackey Advisors we have been on a path of learning how to see our services through the eyes of our clients. This 180-degree change in perspective seems like a simple shift to dissect, however, […]
Is It Your People or Your Process?
When there is a problem with quality, timeliness, or efficiency in a small business environment, it is often thought of as a people problem. I believe this is due to the fact that many small […]
Analyzing the Good Stuff
When I set a clear intention, the universe always conspires with me to help me create it. That’s the good news. The other news is the help often comes where I am least expecting it. […]
Cash Is King!!
“Cash is King” is an expression that is widely used in analyzing businesses. Why is it something that you, as a business owner, need to manage? Well, without cash you could not do the things […]
Change is Hard. 4 Ways to Make It Easier
My favorite W. Edwards Deming quote is “It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.” If you work in an entrepreneurial business like I do, then you know that change is a constant. […]
Ask Mackey Episode 2 | 2018
Do you want to meet or exceed your company goals? Then you have got to Get Rhythm! Johnny Cash sang about rhythm in his famous song, Get Rhythm. It starts out, “Get Rhythm when you get […]
4th Quarter Economic Update | January 2018
Once again, the economic metrics we follow indicate growth is strong around the world. The ultra-loose monetary policies that were implemented due to the financial crises a decade ago have led to an expanding global […]
Get Rhythm? Why Rhythm is as Important as Accuracy in Your Financial Reporting
Do you want to meet or exceed your company goals? Then you have got to Get Rhythm! Johnny Cash sang about rhythm in his famous song, Get Rhythm. It starts out, “Get Rhythm when you […]
It’s About More Than Taxes
It is officially everyone’s favorite season of the year. No, I am not referring to one of the traditional four seasons; I am, of course, referring to tax season. It seems that every time tax […]
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Impact on Businesses
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a $1.5 trillion tax cut package, was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The centerpiece of the legislation is a permanent reduction of the corporate income tax rate. […]
IRS Announces 2018 Standard Mileage Rates
The IRS has announced the 2018 optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible costs of operating a passenger automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving expense purposes. Effective January 1, 2018, the standard mileage […]
Ask Mackey Episode 1 | 2018
The New Year is a natural time for reflection and goal setting. Perhaps 2017 was so exciting you raised the bar on what you now believe is possible. Or perhaps 2017 was filled with […]
Ready to Kick A$$ in 2018? Here’s How in 3 Steps
The New Year is a natural time for reflection and goal setting. Perhaps 2017 was so exciting you raised the bar on what you now believe is possible. Or perhaps 2017 was filled with challenges […]
What is a Statement of Cash Flows?
There are three financial statements that provide a picture of the financial health of your business: The Balance Sheet shows what the business has and what the business owes, along with its net worth The […]
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act legislation was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The Act makes extensive changes that affect both individuals and businesses. Some key provisions of the Act are discussed below. […]
Client Spotlight | Marty Grunder!, Inc.
Marty Grunder discovered his entrepreneurial spirit when he was a teenager with a used lawn mower looking for a way to put himself through college. Through determination and hard work, he grew that initial $25 […]
Happy Holidays to Everyone!
Sally — “If it seems too complicated, make it easy on yourself – just send money. How about tens and twenties?” My how the times have changed! This quote from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is […]
Matt’s Monthly Money Must Do’s | January 2018
January is often the coldest month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In fact, in January 2017 there was a European cold wave that hit a lot of Eastern and Central Europe. Greece was […]
Ask Mackey Episode 12 | 2017
Stop making new year’s resolutions. Start expanding joy. One simple idea to make more of every year. New year’s resolutions are just a way to look back on your year and feel bad. In our […]
Stop Making New Year’s Resolutions
Stop making new year’s resolutions. Start expanding joy. One simple idea to make more of every year. New year’s resolutions are just a way to look back on your year and feel bad. In our […]
What Will You Pay for Medicare in 2018?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the standard monthly Part B premium in 2018 will remain $134 (or higher, depending on your income). In 2017, most Medicare beneficiaries who received […]
What’s Holding You Back?
During a recent review of a prospective client’s results, he mentioned how disappointed he was in his outcomes. Several years ago, he was on track to accomplish his goals, yet as we spoke, he wondered […]
Matt’s Monthly Money Must Do’s | December 2017
Do you ever feel “-meh” about the holidays? Some people love them too much! They will put their decorations up too early and keep them up too long. Others, well, they just despise the holidays […]
Proposed Tax Reform Legislation
On November 2, 2017, House Republicans released their comprehensive tax reform plan, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Then, on November 9, 2017, Senate Republicans released their own plan. The two plans have much in […]
3rd Quarter Economic Update | October 2017
Economic growth is strong around the world. The number of countries with economies that are in a recession are at near all-time lows. The ultra-loose monetary policies that were implemented due to the financial crises […]
Ask Mackey Episode 11 | 2017
Your business is your largest asset. It has the single most impact on: How you live How you retire How much fun you can afford What kind of home you live in How you educate […]
Is Your Business Getting the Respect it Deserves?
Your business is your largest asset. It has the single most impact on: How you live How you retire How much fun you can afford What kind of home you live in How you educate […]
Let It Go!! Time to Delegate
I work with a lot of small business owners whose ultimate goal is to work less and make more money. These same business owners are also involved in a lot of the day to day […]
Client Spotlight | Oregon Tilth, Inc.
Oregon Tilth is a nonprofit organization and leading certifier, educator & advocate for organic agriculture since 1974. Our mission to make our food system and agriculture biologically sound and socially equitable requires us to find practical […]
Matt’s Monthly Money Must Do’s | November 2017
November is a big birthday month in my family. My two sisters and father have birthdays in November. So not only do I have to worry about their birthday gifts, but I also must start […]
Simple & Actionable Year-End Tax Tips
At Mackey Advisors we are all about taking simple steps to maximize your financial well-being. Each year some of the most beneficial steps often go unnoticed. While filing taxes each Spring is important, planning for […]
Ask Mackey Episode 10 | 2017
When I speak with fellow business owners this time of year, they often talk to me about how they are either landing or missing their current annual goals. I love those conversations, but for me […]
One Secret Strategy That Will Rock Your 2018
October is one of my favorite months. Cool nights, warm days, little rain. The crunch of the leaves as I hike the woods makes me happy. The air smells good and the southernly tilt of […]
Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15
What is the Medicare open enrollment period? The Medicare open enrollment period is the time during which people with Medicare can make new choices and pick plans that work best for them. Each year, Medicare […]
How Many Goals Should You Have?
One of the most prideful feelings is achieving a goal. You’ve put in the countless hours, the blood, the sweat and the tears, so now you can jump with joy knowing that you can cross […]
Negative Interest Rate Policy (NIRP) — The Great Experiment | 2017 Update
Back in July 2016, I penned a blog that discussed the novel, and potentially dangerous, way several world economies tried to stimulate their nation’s economies by forcing negative interest rates. To date, seven foreign central […]
Matt’s Monthly Money Must Do’s | October 2017
Is there anything better than a fire on a nice fall evening? Enjoy some apple cider, an outdoor fire and the lovely foliage. It is a wonderful time to be out in the yard enjoying […]
5 Power Keys of Scorecarding
Everyone likes to keep score. We all have an innate desire to succeed. Those two facts, coupled with putting the right data into the hands of the right people in a timely way, can transform […]
The Equifax Data Breach
On September 7, 2017, Equifax, one of the three main credit reporting agencies, announced a massive data security breach that exposed vital personal identification data — including names, addresses, birth dates, and Social Security numbers […]
5 Power Keys to Scorecarding
Good data begins in your bookkeeping and accounting department. If it also ends there, you have wasted one of the most valuable tools in your tool box. The power in your data is with your […]
Client Adventures | Mary Pat Behler & Tim Gold
Our clients are doing amazing things, and going on incredible adventures. So incredible in fact, we just had to share. This month we are excited to share Mary Pat & Tim’s Viking River Cruise through […]
Remedies for Anxiety Surrounding Your Business
“Anxiety is caused by a lack of control, organization, preparation & action.” — David Kekich The above quote was posted to Mackey Advisors Facebook page recently. As I read this, I was surprised as to […]
2nd Quarter Economic Update | August 2017
U.S. economic reports improved quarter-over-quarter. U.S. businesses appear to have emerged from a multi-year earnings slump, with the Q1/Q2 S&P 500 sales and profits showing year-on-year growth for the first time since late 2014. GDP […]
Matt’s Monthly Money Must Do’s | September 2017
The Romans were lazy. That’s right, I said it: “Lazy”. The typical response would be that, along with building an empire, Romans built highways, aqueducts, coliseums, etc. Many of those basic designs are used today, […]
8 Paths to a Prosperous Mindset
Accounting and finance is all about the numbers. Or is it? Getting the right data to the right people at the right time is critical to making informed, impactful decisions in your company. This is […]
8 Paths to Expanding Your Prosperity Mindset
Accounting and finance is all about the numbers. Or is it? Getting the right data to the right people at the right time is critical to making informed, impactful decisions in your company. This is […]
Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports: Financial Challenges Continue
Every year, the Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds release reports to Congress on the current financial condition and projected financial outlook of these programs. The newest reports, released on July 13, […]
Cascading Metrics: Making Goals Achievable
Setting goals can always be a headache for business owners. Where do you begin? How many goals should you have? Are you being realistic with your goals? These are all important things to consider, but […]
Back to the Basics of Savings and Investing
This blog post is going to be about portfolios and asset allocation! I bet you just thought to yourselves “Wow, what an exciting topic!” If I have kept your interested thus far, I hope you […]
CEOs Deserve Summer Fun
As a young business owner with a family, oh how I wanted summer freedom! Even just a little bit! My desire to go have fun with my daughter was one more thing to fit into […]
Matt’s Monthly Money Must Do’s | August 2017
I was born in August some years ago. Rather than just celebrate a day or week, I celebrate my whole birth month. Granted, the celebration has changed drastically from when I was knee high to […]
CEO’s Deserve Summer Fun Too!
As a young business owner with a family, oh how I wanted summer freedom! Even just a little bit! My desire to go have fun with my daughter was one more thing to fit into my already […]
Ready, Set, GROW!
Everyone wants to grow their business to its highest potential, but the thought of putting more energy into it might appear to be exhausting. What if I told you that there are ways to grow […]
Client Spotlight | Krombholz Jewelers
For over 75 years, Krombholz Jewelers has been the premier jeweler in Cincinnati. Now in it’s fourth generation of family ownership, Krombholz specializes in bespoke fine jewelry, vintage jewelry and helping individuals re-purpose or consign […]
Your Ever Changing Future Is No Place For A “Rule Of Thumb”
Do you go to a doctor when you get sick? Of course! Do you take your car to the mechanic? You bet! This makes it interesting why so many people choose to act as their […]
Are You Wired For Profit?
Calling all over-worked, superhero business owners! Take a moment and use these lazy days of summer for going to the pool, fishing, sitting on the porch with a cold beer and taking a dive into […]
Matt’s Monthly Money Must Do’s | July 2017
July is usually hot, stormy, and always unbelievably busy, so I can understand your financial to-do list usually takes a back seat. I, however, think you can easily accomplish one of these tasks in less […]
Are You Wired For Profit?
Calling all over-worked, superhero business owners! Take a moment and use these lazy days of summer for going to the pool, fishing, sitting on the porch with a cold beer and taking a dive into […]
Client Spotlight | Ammon Nursery
Ammon Landscape, Inc. was started in 1950 by Dick and Shirley Ammon. They would peddle landscape door to door, but as business grew, it was time to find a location to start a nursery. They […]
Mission Possible
One of the biggest keys to having a successful business is having an effective team. An effective team is efficient, passionate and engaged. One of the biggest challenges for a business is keeping your team […]
Mackey Advisors Economic Update | May 2017
The U.S. economy continues to do well. It is stable and has proven to be resilient to domestic and global news events. It continues to slowly recover and, according to most economists, should continue to […]
6 Financial Tasks Business Owners Should Give Up
You’ve got the drive. You have the motivation. You will do anything to succeed. No task ever stands in your way, but perhaps it should. The very talents that allow you to be a business […]
6 Financial Tasks Every Business Owner Should Give Up
You’ve got the drive. You have the motivation. You will do anything to succeed. No task ever stands in your way, but perhaps it should. The very talents that allow you to be a business […]
What Are Your Summer Plans?
People either love or hate April. I personally like it for a few reasons: busy season is over, my refund check is in the mail, and the weather is changing. Not everyone gets to share […]
The Power of a Business Intention
Merriam-Webster defines intention as a determination to act in a certain way. Intention is what motivates us to do what we do every day. You may be conscious of your intentions or it may simply […]
Guiding Principles for Changing Markets
“What is your intention?” It’s a big question, and one that leads nearly every aspect of your life – including the parts that deal with money. An investment intent is based on the intractable belief […]
Financial Basics for Millennials
With age comes responsibility, so if you’re a young adult in your 20s or 30s, chances are you’ve been introduced to the realities of adulthood. While you’re excited by all the opportunities life has to […]
Ask Mackey | Cash Flow
For anything to grow it needs fuel. In business, that fuel is cash. The economic climate for most businesses is positive right now, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t having cash flow challenges. […]
4 Sources of Cash Flow to Fund Your Growth
For anything to grow it needs fuel. In business, that fuel is cash. The economic climate for most businesses is positive right now, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t having cash flow challenges. In fact, […]
What to Expect When You Are Expecting…Sales
Business owners are obsessed with one number in their business. You guessed it… sales. Every business owner wants to continue to grow their sales line. This number is the result that almost every business owner […]
Client Spotlight — Full Throttle Indoor Karting
Full Throttle Indoor Karting is Cincinnati’s premier high-speed indoor go-kart track located in Springdale, near Tri-County Mall. Everyone from the novice to the professional racer will enjoy the state-of-the-art karts and racing at speeds up […]
The U.S. Economy
This past month, the Mackey Advisors team attended an economics presentation by Alan Beaulieu, the President of ITR Economics and a leading authority on global economics. His presentations are informative and detailed providing unique insight […]
Ask Mackey | The 3 Signs
https://vimeo.com/207479949/settings/embed Approaching a railroad crossing when the train is on the nearby track, you are faced with flashing red lights, a red and white stripped cross bar, a big X sign that says, Railroad Crossing. […]
3 Signals Your Financial Systems Are Broken
Approaching a railroad crossing when the train is on the nearby track, you are faced with flashing red lights, a red and white stripped cross bar, a big X sign that says, Railroad Crossing. DO […]
Let’s Get Results!
We all want to see results from the efforts we put forth. We want to know if all the saving we have done over the years has made our bank account larger, or if the […]
New Year’s Resolutions
Resolutions are supposed to be your intention for the new year, not a to-do list for the first week of January that is never fully completed. I have yet to see someone accomplish a resolution […]
Ask Mackey | The Right Tools
https://vimeo.com/204222830/settings/embed Like many young women, I learned to cook watching my Mother. By the time I left home, I was pretty good too. My love of cooking was fostered in two ways. One, I loved […]
Mackey Advisors Economic Update
All indicators are now pointing, more or less, in a positive direction for the U.S. economy. The consumer continues to be in the driver’s seat, enjoying low energy prices, low borrowing costs (for now anyway), […]
How Entrepreneurs Prosper
Like many young women, I learned to cook watching my Mother. She was a great southern cook, her specialty being fried chicken. By the time I left home, I was pretty good too. My love […]
Client Spotlight — Mach III Clutch, Inc.
Mach III Clutch, Inc. is a manufacturer of clutches and brakes that are used in the drive systems of industrial machinery. These products, fundamentally, transfer motion from one rotating component, such as a motor, to another, […]
November 1 Kicks Off Open Enrollment for Health Marketplaces
Beginning November 1, 2016, individuals (including their families) may apply for new health insurance or switch to a different health-care plan through a Health Insurance Marketplace. The open enrollment period ends January 31, 2017. Individuals […]
Hiring a Professional Consultant: The Real Cost
Hiring a professional consultant is a big decision. Adding capacity, expertise and value are all great benefits when taking the next step forward. However, many business owners only focus on one thing when it comes […]
Why Planning is Important
If you have spent any significant time with the Mackey Advisors team, you have probably realized that we sometimes sound like a broken record when it comes to the concept of “planning”. That is because […]
Ask Mackey | Say No to Micromanagement
https://vimeo.com/187036559/settings/embed Big goals without department and individual accountability systems to support them is poison to your culture. It creates a win/lose environment. A negative culture is like a dirty river, nothing thrives in it. It […]
Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15, 2016
Medicare open enrollment period allows you to make changes to your current plan. What is the Medicare open enrollment period? The Medicare open enrollment period is the time during which people with Medicare can make […]
Just Say No to Micromanagement
As a babyprenuer, I was an accomplished micromanager. I coordinated day long retreats and got my entire team fired up toward our annual goals. I would create BIG plans and set BIG goals. The team […]
IRS Announces New Waiver Procedure for Taxpayers Who Inadvertently Miss the 60-Day Rollover Deadline
Background–direct and indirect (60-day) rollovers If you’re eligible to receive a taxable distribution from an employer-sponsored retirement plan (like a 401(k)) you can avoid current taxation by directly rolling the distribution over to another employer […]
Client Spotlight — Advanced Services Pest Control
Advanced Services is a cutting edge, termite and pest control company founded in 1986 by Jeff Annis, which serves Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding area. All of their services are designed around serving the needs […]
Tax Time Starts Now!
Fall is the time to think of the leaves changing, the weather turning cooler, and…taxes. While the 2016 individual tax deadline is not until April 15th, there are things that you should consider now that […]
Giving Back
We live in a world with thousands of good causes to support every day. Whether it be a local charity, a friend down on their luck, or that adorable puppy that can’t find a home, […]
Ask Mackey | How to Thrive
https://vimeo.com/182603853/settings/embed Our brain is wired to be on alert to anything that threatens your survival. The amygdala is an almond shaped sliver in the temporal lobe of your brain that is responsible for your primal […]
Overcoming Our Biological Imperative to Get Stuck in Survival Mode
Your brain is wired to be on alert to anything that threatens your survival. The amygdala is an almond shaped sliver in the temporal lobe of your brain that is responsible for your primal emotions […]
A Cybercrime That Could Bankrupt Your Company
During the summer of 2008, a different type of cybercrime was identified — corporate account takeover. It is costly and ranks among the fastest and most stealthy type of attack. Cybercriminals engaging in this activity […]
Client Spotlight — Robeson Marketing & Design
Beth is co-founder of Robeson Marketing & Design founded in 1999. The Robesons specialize in groundswell marketing for businesses and organizations that are making the world a better place. They also offer a wide array […]
A Quick Look at the Presidential Candidates’ Tax Proposals
Though tax policies haven’t received top billing in this year’s presidential election dialogue, they’re still part of the conversation. Here’s a quick review of each candidate’s tax proposals based on information released by their campaigns. […]
Aligning Your Intention with Your Actions
Our work lives can be pretty hectic at times. We have all been there. It is very easy to let ourselves get caught up in the day to day tasks and never step back to […]
Importance of Hiring a Fiduciary
Suitability vs. Fiduciary You have been working hard. Saving, investing, and dreaming of someday retiring and enjoying the fruits of your labor. Whether you feel you have done well, or are maybe feeling embarrassment for […]
Ask Mackey | The Prosperous Business Journey
If you are an entrepreneur, have you ever found yourself just “Staying Afloat”? It isn’t a fun worrying about how to pay your bills week to week. These are the days of a lot of […]
Are you a High Potential, High Performing business? Or want to be?
If you are an entrepreneur, have you ever found yourself just “Staying Afloat”? It isn’t fun worrying about how to pay your bills week to week. These are the days of a lot of hope […]
Mackey Advisors Economic Update
The U.S. economy continues to remain a bright spot in the world despite significant headwinds that dampened activity in the early months of 2016. The consumer is driving U.S. economic growth. According to recent Consumer […]
Business or Pleasure?
We all work hard to earn a dollar, but working hard can payoff when it comes to travel. Have you ever been lucky enough to have a conference in Hawaii? Ever wondered if you could […]
Financial Decisions: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
I read a book the other day that asked the question: “What is the best financial decision you have ever made?” I began to think about how this needs to be asked more by financial […]
Client Spotlight — Furlong Building Enterprises
Furlong offers design-build construction services for commercial, industrial and retail construction projects. Our company is founded on providing outstanding customer service that is personal, responsive and overseen by experienced professionals. Furlong offers its clients an […]
Negative Interest Rates — The Great Experiment
The Federal Reserve remains committed to raising the Federal Funds rate, a benchmark that can affect the interest rates charged on many types of consumer credit. But abroad, a different experiment is underway. As of […]
Ask Mackey | Habits
It was time for my first hire. I had no HR skills, and I was terrified. A leap of faith later, I had hired an Assistant for 15 hours a week, $10 an hour, or […]
5 Steps to Purposefully Changing Any Habit
It was time for my first hire. I had no HR skills, and I was terrified. A leap of faith later, I had hired an Assistant for 15 hours a week, $10 an hour, or […]
10 Years and Counting: Points to Consider as You Approach Retirement
If you’re a decade or so away from retirement, you’ve probably spent at least some time thinking about this major life change. How will you manage the transition? Will you travel, take up a new […]
Caring for Parents and Children — 5 Things to do NOW
The Sandwich Generation: A colorful label for the people who find themselves providing financial, emotional and physical support for both their aging parents and their children at the same time. According to a 2013 Pew […]
New Rules for College Campus-Sponsored Debit and Prepaid Credit Cards
The Department of Education has issued new rules for campus-sponsored debit and prepaid credit cards that are directly linked to financial aid disbursements. While many financial institutions have partnerships with colleges to market these products […]
Change: Every Business Owner’s Least Favorite Word
Change is inevitable. It can easily take anyone out of the comfort zone and into the fire. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Change can be calculated and it can certainly have […]
Planning Your Financial Future
Let’s take a few minutes to discuss personal financial planning – or as we call it Prosperity Planning™. When we take a step back for a minute it is quite astonishing to think of everything […]
Ask Mackey | Money & Fear
Money. Fear. Like peanut butter and jelly, money and fear are compatible companions. Of course money brings up feelings of fear. Money is the clothes on your back and the roof over your head. Money […]
Client Spotlight — AJR Electric, LLC
Adam Ruschman was born and raised in Northern Kentucky. He is a graduate of Newport Central Catholic High School. After several years exploring various trades, Adam decided to pursue his formal electrical training at the […]
The Four Ways We Avoid Fear
Money. Fear. Like peanut butter and jelly, money and fear are compatible companions. Of course money brings up feelings of fear. Money is the clothes on your back and the roof over your head. Money […]
Bookkeeper, An Important Team Member!
Bookkeeping is not as simple as it sounds. It is a skill that requires thought and accuracy. A good bookkeeper makes it easy to review and analyze information; a bad bookkeeper will leave your books […]
Ask Mackey | The Journey to Self-Care
My life was over the top busy. I was a single Mom and had a business that demanded lots of my attention. Between making time for family and work, I had gotten lost. I as […]
How to Survive the Upcoming Wedding Season
Weddings, in general, are expensive. Sorry parents and young couples of the world hosting an extravagant party this summer, but there is little you can do now to save money. Instead, I am talking to […]
The Journey Back to Self-Care
My life was over the top busy. I was a single Mom and had a business that demanded lots of my attention. Between making time for family and work, I had gotten lost. I as […]
Mackey Advisors Economic Update
The U.S. economy remains a bright spot in the world despite significant headwinds that dampened activity in the early months of 2016. Manufacturing production has been consistent over the past four months, continuing to edge […]
Marriage and Money
U.S. Supreme Court decisions have given same-sex married couples the same rights and privileges as opposite-sex married couples. If you’re married or on your way to the altar, you’ll want to sort through the financial […]
Today’s Forecast Calls for Sales
In today’s society, everyone seems to be obsessed with sales. While sales may not be the most important number on the financial statements, it is definitely the most emphasized. Yet few people actually use a […]
Avoid the Scams
Fraud takes many forms and scams have been around for a long time. With the emergence of the internet and social media, it’s become much harder to identify who is legitimate and who is the fraudster. […]
Ask Mackey | What Do I Really Want?
For years I dreamed of having a lake house. I could picture the view of the lake in my mind and imagined the serenity I would feel sitting on my screen porch. The more stressful […]
5 Simple Steps for Answering a Not So Simple Question, What Do I Really Want?
For years I dreamed of having a lake house. I could picture the view of the lake in my mind and imagined the serenity I would feel sitting on my screen porch. The more stressful […]
IRA Contributions
So instead of wasting your time trying to convince you how great they are, I would rather discuss the mechanics of how you take advantage of them. Devise a savings strategy and start the automatic […]
The Importance of the Balance Sheet
There is Top Line Terry and Bottom Line Larry, but there are other “players” needed to make a business successful. The income statement is important for monitoring and finding ways to improve, but if your […]
Why Mackey Advisors?
Often times I hear from clients that the Mackey Advisors™ experience wasn’t at all what they expected. Sometimes that immediately happens even after their first meeting with us. We strive to be a breath of fresh […]
4 Simple Steps to Life Changing Affirmations
I was in the midst of changing my business model from a CPA firm to what we are today, The Prosperity People. It was the right change for me and the right move for the […]
It’s About More Than Taxes
It is officially everyone’s favorite season of the year. No, I am not referring to one of the traditional four seasons; I am, of course, referring to tax season. It seems that every time tax […]
An Easy to Follow Financial To-Do List for 2016
January: Increase retirement account contributions: A new year sometimes means increasing retirement account contribution limits. For 2016, the 401(k) limit is $18,000. If you are already maxing out your employer sponsored plan, considering reviewing IRAs, […]
Ask Mackey | Work & Passion
“Why are you here?” I asked. The Fortune 500 Executive responded, “Because I am burnt out and exhausted.” “The company keeps reducing our department and adding more work load to those of us that aren’t […]
Passion and Work
“Why are you here?” I asked. The Fortune 500 Executive responded, “Because I am burnt out and exhausted.” “The company keeps reducing our department and adding more work load to those of us that aren’t […]
Mackey Advisors Economic Update
The U.S. economy, though soft in the second half of 2015, remains a bright spot in the world. This is despite significant headwinds created by the problems facing the majority the globe’s economies. The world’s […]
Beyond Financial Aid — Let’s Talk Loans
Financing college tuition, fees and expenses can be daunting. However, taking advantage of student loans may help lighten the financial burden. There are several type of loans available, both good and not-so-good. Primarily, students can […]
SEC Adopts “Regulation Crowdfunding”
New rules take effect in 2016 On October 30, 2015, after three and a half years of proposals, comments, and discussion, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced its final rules on equity crowdfunding for […]
Ask Mackey | When to Ask for Financial Help
When is the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. When is the next best time? Today. The same thinking applies to getting financial help. When is the best time to get financial […]
2016 Key Numbers
Stay on top of your planning needs in 2016 with our four key numbers worksheets. 2016’s Most Popular Key Numbers 2016’s Income Tax Key Numbers 2016’s Retirement Planning Key Numbers 2016’s Estate Planning Key Numbers […]
When & How to Ask for Financial Help
When is the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. When is the next best time? Today. The same thinking applies to getting financial help. When is the best time to get financial […]
To Hire or To Outsource?
“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.” – Red Adair Too often, businesses rush into hiring decisions and do not hire the person […]
Finding the Balance Between Success and Happiness
“If I could work my will, every idiot that goes about with “Merry Christmas” on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart!”…Ebenezer Scrooge […]
Ask Mackey | Joy & Money
Mackey discusses the intersection of joy & money. The Intersection of Joy and Money happens when you are present to both joy and money simultaneously in the present. This is true prosperity. Joy is not […]
IRA and Retirement Plan Limits for 2016
IRA contribution limits The maximum amount you can contribute to a traditional IRA or Roth IRA in 2016 is $5,500 (or 100% of your earned income, if less), unchanged from 2015. The maximum catch-up contribution […]
What is The Intersection of Joy & Money?
Joy is not in things, it is in you. The Intersection of Joy and Money happens when you are present to both joy and money simultaneously in the present. This is true prosperity. Joy is […]
Cash is King
“Cash is King” is an expression that is widely used in analyzing businesses. Why is it something that you, as a business owner, need to manage? Well, without cash you could not do the things […]
Will the Paris Attacks Effect My Economic Future?
I have gotten a few questions over the last week or so about the impacts the events on November 13th in Paris might have on our investments. Hopefully this piece will help paint a clearer […]
Five Questions and Answers about New Social Security Claiming Rules
When Congress unexpectedly eliminated two Social Security claiming strategies as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, retirement planning got a little more complicated for people who expected to use those strategies to boost […]
Ask Mackey | Prosperity vs. Wealth
Mackey discusses the difference between wealth and prosperity. Wealth is a number. When you have a wealth plan you have a number to achieve so you can quit working. Wealth is the end game. […]
Watch our Economic Update Webinar
Curious about the general state of the economy and what experts think the future holds? Spend 30 minutes with John & Andy as they discuss key issues facing our economy and give helpful hints as to […]
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015
On November 2, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, legislation that raises the federal debt limit and establishes the framework for a two-year budget deal. The legislation, needed to […]
Prosperity = Wealth with Purpose
Wealth is a number. When you have a wealth plan you have a number to achieve so you can quit working. Wealth is the end game. If I can just get to $X then I […]
November 1st Kicks Off Open Enrollment for Health Marketplaces
Beginning November 1, 2015, individuals (including their families) may apply for new health insurance or switch to a different health-care plan through a Health Insurance Marketplace. The open enrollment period ends January 31, 2016. Individuals […]
Ask Mackey | Beliefs & Persistence
Mackey discusses beliefs & persistence. Change your beliefs and you change your life. Persist in aligning your inner beliefs with the life you want to create and watch it unfold. Yes, it still takes work, […]
Leveraging Your Business to Fund Your Child’s College Education
If you have children and are following this blog series, there is a good chance you are actively planning to send your child (or children) to a college or university. Finding ways to save for […]
Medicare Open Enrollment Period Begins October 15
Part D late enrollment penalty Generally, if you did not sign up for Part D coverage during your initial enrollment period, and you didn’t have other creditable drug coverage (at least comparable to Medicare’s standard […]
Beliefs & Persistence, How do They Dance Together?
In talking with a fellow CPA recently, he said, “I have known many CPA’s who have tried, usually unsuccessfully, to start wealth management firms. “But I know of no others who have done so as […]
Make Market Volatility an Opportunity
Up until this summer, markets (especially the United States) had been on a steady increase for over 3 years. It was a great time to be an investor and the continued climb brought optimism, eased […]
Ask Mackey | Enoughness
Mackey discusses the concept of enoughness and how it links to your prosperity. https://vimeo.com/138791143 View all of our episodes of Ask Mackey.
It’s all in the Budget
It’s mid-September and most would think that it’s too soon to think about planning for next year. However, this is the perfect time to start preparing, because budgeting can be a challenging task as there […]
Financial Aid Planning – Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
As you choose a plan to help save for your child’s education, you may also want to find out how financial aid can help you pay for higher education costs. The prospect of paying for […]
What is Enoughness?
When I was young I thought being a collector was one of those things you grew up to be. Most of the people I knew had something they collected and at first blush it seemed […]
Am I Growing?
“If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” The first time I heard this phrase I was fresh out of college, and I knew EVERYTHING. I did not like this phrase. I felt that I had done […]
Back to School & Back on Budget
As summer draws to a close and kids get back to school, it’s a good time to dust off our personal finances. You aren’t alone if summertime has had you paying less attention to your […]
Biomimicry, Nature & Prosperity
I have been growing most of my own fruits and vegetables for seven seasons now. This experience has given me three primary gifts: patience, humility and prosperity. I have learned patience in waiting for a […]
Watch our Economic Update Webinar.
Curious about the general state of the economy and what experts think the future holds? Spend 30 minutes with John & Andy as they discuss key issues facing our economy and give helpful hints as to […]
Ask Mackey | The 5 Money Truths
During the episode of Ask Mackey she discusses the 5 Money Truths as laid out in her book, The Intersection of Joy and Money (amzn.com/1507569181). You are responsible for your money life. Your consciousness is […]
Interest Rates Decrease Slightly on Federal Student Loans
The federal government pays the interest on subsidized Stafford Loans while the student is in school, during the six-month grace period after graduation, and during any loan deferment periods. With unsubsidized Stafford Loans, the student […]
The 5 Money Truths
When you were young where you ever afraid of the dark? Or opening the closet? Or going into a dark room? I was always afraid to let my hands or legs dangle off the side […]
Pricing the Customer
In the first post of this series, we learned that value is the only common ground between a customer and a business when it comes to pricing. In the second entry, we examined what the […]
6 Ways Your School Guidance Counselor Can Help You Get Into College
A high school’s guidance counseling department and the programs they support are critical resources for both the student and their parents in preparing for college. School counselors are highly trained professionals who typically have advanced […]
Greece, China, Interest Rates! What is an Investor to do?
Let’s take a few minutes this month to talk about portfolios and asset allocation. I bet you just thought to yourselves “Wow, what an exciting topic!” Maybe not, but with all the news dominating markets […]
Ask Mackey | Action & Alignment
In episode 3, Mackey discusses the importance of aligning your actions with your intentions. Reminding us all it is not how fast you get there, but where you are going that matters. View all […]
Understanding Greece & the European Debt Situation
Courtesy of Wikimedia.org For the past several weeks, attention has focused on the debt crisis plaguing Greece and the contentious negotiations with its creditors. The situation in Europe is probably affecting your portfolio […]
Get Where You Wanna Go
Action is the force that moves us from one place to another. Action without intention will get you somewhere. Action paired with intention will get you where you want to be. Would you rather get […]
Why Your Credit Score Matters
A good credit score is essential to prosperity. Your credit score not only impacts your ability to get credit, it also impacts the interest rate you pay when you do use credit. Other than lenders, […]
The Value Conversation
Now that we have gained an understanding of the customer’s viewpoint regarding pricing, it is time to take the next step: having the value conversation. You will not have the same value conversation with Customer […]
College Planning — Have the “Talk”
The “Talk” being the discussion with your child on what they want their future to be and how to get there. Not just one talk, but multiple conversations about hobbies, interests and college. Choose an […]
An Often Overlooked, but Important Process… Year-End Tax Planning
As the year begins to unfold we gain a clearer idea of how things will be shaping up relative to annual income and expenses. From year to year things can change, and it is important […]
Ask Mackey | Self Awareness on the Path to Prosperity
In episode of Ask Mackey, we take a quick look at: how we create our own glass ceilings what we can do to become more self-aware tools to use on the journey to prosperity Mackey shares […]
To Thine Own Self Be True
Sally was in her late thirties when she came face-to-face with the realization that she was the obstacle in her quest for prosperity. As a business owner, Sally had worked diligently to grow the business […]
Understanding the Customers’ Perspective
We are a society obsessed with finding a “good deal”, which is why customers today place such a heavy emphasis on pricing. This leaves the business owner with plenty of questions: What should I charge? […]
College Planning — 7 Steps to Keep Your Money & Your Sanity
One of the most financially savvy gifts a parent or guardian can give their child is to send them to college. Even with student debt, the difference in a college graduate’s lifetime earnings vs that […]