The One Habit

Let’s start with a little truth that most solopreneurs rarely say out loud:

It’s not that you’re afraid of money. It’s that you’re tired of carrying the weight of it.

You’re already juggling a lot—clients, content, contracts, deliverables, maybe even kids or caregiving responsibilities. Bookkeeping? That tends to get pushed to the end of the to-do list. Or worse—it lives in the back of your mind like a cloud you keep meaning to deal with.

But what if the answer wasn’t about “doing more” or overhauling your entire system?

What if the one habit that could shift everything… took less than 30 minutes a week?

Today, I want to walk you through the Weekly Money Check-In—a simple, sustainable habit that keeps your books in shape year-round, even if you’re managing it all on your own.

Why Most Solopreneurs Struggle with Bookkeeping

Before we get into the habit, let’s talk about why this is hard in the first place.

If you’ve ever felt like:

You're avoiding your bank balance because you're not sure what you'll find
You're constantly playing catch-up with receipts and invoices
You only look at your finances when tax season (or panic) hits…

You’re not alone.

Most solopreneurs were never taught how to manage business finances. You likely learned by necessity—setting up your business, getting paid, and figuring out tools on the fly.

Add to that:

Variable income (some months are booming, others feel bare)
A lack of time to stop and sort through transactions
Fear of "doing it wrong" and messing something up

And bookkeeping starts to feel less like a helpful business tool… and more like a stress spiral.

But here's the truth:

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be consistent.

That’s where the Weekly Money Check-In comes in.

The Weekly Money Check-In: Your New Financial Ritual

This habit is designed to be simple, calming, and empowering—not overwhelming.

Here’s what it looks like:

Set aside 30 minutes once a week.

That’s it. I recommend the same day each week—Friday mornings, Monday afternoons, or whenever your schedule has a natural pause.

Use this time to:

Open your bookkeeping tool (Xero, QuickBooks, a Google Sheet—whatever you’re using).
Reconcile your transactions.
- Match income and expenses to your bank feed
- Add notes or tags so you know what things were for
- Fix any miscategorized items before they pile up
Check your cash balance.
- What’s in your business checking account?
- Any upcoming expenses or renewals to prepare for?
Review open invoices and bills.
- Who hasn’t paid you yet?
- What’s due soon that needs your attention?
Reflect on the week.
- Did you spend in alignment with your goals?
- Any financial wins to celebrate or lessons learned?

This ritual is about presence—not perfection.

The goal isn’t to “finish all your finances”—it’s simply to stay in relationship with your money.

Why This One Habit Changes Everything

Building this habit isn't just about having clean books (though that’s a big bonus). It’s about gaining control and confidence over your financial life—without adding hours to your workload.

Here’s what happens when you stay consistent with a Weekly Money Check-In:

1. You Catch Problems Early

That sneaky subscription you forgot to cancel? A payment that didn’t go through? A client who hasn’t paid?

You’ll spot these things while they’re still easy to fix.

2. You Reduce Year-End Stress

When tax time rolls around, you won’t be digging through emails, screenshots, and credit card statements from last April. Your books will already be up to date—and your future self will thank you.

3. You Build Financial Awareness

Over time, this habit builds what I call “quiet confidence.” You start to notice trends in your spending. You know how much is in your account without guessing. You can anticipate when you’ll need to hold back on expenses—and when you can invest.

4. You Make Better Decisions

When your numbers are current, you can ask smarter questions:

Can I afford to outsource this?
Is now the right time to launch something new?
Should I be saving more for taxes this month?

And because you're looking at real data—not just vibes—your decisions will be rooted in clarity.

But What If I Fall Behind?

Let’s be real: some weeks will get skipped.

That’s okay.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about building a rhythm that can carry you through the ebb and flow of life and business.

If you fall behind:

Just pick up where you left off.
Start with the current week, then go back if time allows.
Celebrate the restart—don’t punish the pause.

Shame has no place in your financial process.

Making It a Ritual (Not a Chore)

If you want this habit to stick, try making it feel good. Here are a few ways to create a ritual you look forward to:

🕯️ Light a candle or diffuse essential oils

🎧 Play a favorite playlist or calming instrumental music

🍵 Make a cup of tea, coffee, or a fun mocktail

📔 Keep a small notebook nearby to jot down insights or questions

This is your time to sit with your business—not just the numbers, but the vision behind them.

It’s a time to honor how far you’ve come, and how you’re choosing to grow with intention.

What If I’m Still Using a Spreadsheet?

That's totally fine.

The best tool is the one you’ll actually use.

Whether you’re tracking income and expenses in a color-coded Google Sheet or using Xero synced to your bank feed, the Weekly Money Check-In works with any system.

In fact, if you’re DIY-ing your bookkeeping, this habit becomes even more valuable. It keeps things from snowballing, and it protects your time (and sanity) when quarterly taxes roll around.

You’re Already More Capable Than You Think

If no one has told you lately: you’re doing beautifully.

You’re learning as you go. You’re showing up. You’re creating something meaningful. And your finances are not a separate part of your business—they’re the foundation that holds everything up.

So start with this one habit. Just 30 minutes. Just once a week.

It’s small—but it changes everything.