This is one of the most important lessons in the entire course. The moment you have your first business expense (like a microphone), you need a system to track it.
Good bookkeeping isn't just about taxes - it shows you if your channel is a fun hobby or a viable business. This is a Day 1 habit.
Engagement Message
In one word, how would you describe your current system for tracking expenses?
Meet the "digital shoebox" method - your simple solution to creator bookkeeping. It's designed to handle the unique challenge of having multiple, inconsistent income streams.
This method works whether you're earning from ads, brand deals, affiliates, or your own products. No fancy software required!
Engagement Message
What's the biggest challenge you face with tracking creator income right now?
Step one is simple: take a photo of every business-related receipt the moment you get it. Your phone is your scanner.
Whether it's a new microphone, a software subscription, or coffee for a collaboration meeting - snap a photo immediately.
Engagement Message
How often do you currently lose receipts or forget about digital subscription invoices?
Create a cloud folder called "Creator Business Receipts" with subfolders for each month: "2025-01-January", "2025-02-February", etc.
Upload your receipt photos to the correct monthly folder. This keeps everything organized and accessible.
Engagement Message
Do you currently use any cloud storage like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud?
Every Friday, spend 15 minutes creating a simple weekly summary. Use a note app or spreadsheet. List your total income (from all sources!) and total expenses for that week.
Income might be: AdSense (500), Affiliate ($12). This weekly habit is crucial for managing variable income.
