Stop mixing business and personal money

The first real money move isn't fancy — it's a separate bank account. When business and personal money share one account, you can't tell if you're actually making money, taxes turn into a nightmare, and one slow month blurs straight into your rent. Split them and everything gets clearer overnight.

Do this

1. Open a business checking account — many are free. You don't need to be an LLC; a sole proprietor can open one too.
2. Run every dollar of business income and every business expense through it. No exceptions.
3. Pay yourself by transferring from the business account to your personal one — like a paycheck.
4. Get a separate card for the business so swipes never get tangled with groceries.

Split your money in an afternoon

• Open a business checking account (free/low-cost is fine)
• Point all customer payments at the new account
• Move recurring business bills onto the business card
• Set a regular 'paycheck' transfer to your personal account
• Stop using the business account for personal spending — starting today