Sick of QuickBooks? There’s a better way!

Stop fighting with spreadsheets and trying to figure out what the heck you did with last year’s inventory list. I have the solution — my sponsor, NetSuite by Oracle.
You get visibility and control of your financials, inventory, HR, planning, budgeting, and more — all from one easy dashboard. Don’t just take my word for it — over 37,000 businesses already use NetSuite.
Lower IT costs, less work and higher profits? Yes, please. Right now, you can get started with NetSuite with no payments and no interest for six months. (Big deal alert: It’s never had an offer like this before!)
Reader question: 'What can I use instead of QuickBooks?'

If you’re a business owner, you don’t need us to tell you that running a business is tough. Don’t let QuickBooks and spreadsheets slow you down, making things more complicated than necessary. It’s time to upgrade to our sponsor NetSuite.
Best way to do your financial work online

I was on Jean Chatzky’s podcast talking about scams and how to avoid getting taken. (She’s fabulous, by the way!) Jean asked me the best way to bank online.
I explained how you should have two laptops or computers. Use one for email, surfing the web, doing work, that sort of thing. The other should be your dedicated financial work computer. You can use an inexpensive Chromebook.
Struggling with Excel? 3 tips and tutorials to help you out

Ah, Excel. It’s been around since the ’80s, yet it can still stump many of us. There’s a lot to learn, from creating complex formulas to navigating pivot tables.
So, where do you turn? You can buy a paid course, which will give you a lot of bang for your buck, but you can also start smaller — and free.
Watch out for QR code scams being sent through email

Scan a QR code and you can get information such as recipes, menus, website links and links to download apps, coupons and more. Quick Response (QR) codes were created to track automotive parts, but they’re everywhere now.
Tax prep software was sending info back to Meta

It’s no secret that Meta’s Facebook actively wants to collect as much information on you as possible. The more it knows about your habits and hobbies, the better it can serve targeted ads and buying suggestions. Tap or click here for 10 Facebook privacy and security settings to change right now.
Budgeting tip: An easy way to slash your monthly charges

Your dollars don’t go as far these days. Sure, things are more expensive, but “buy now” buttons and shiny new services add up much faster than we’d like to believe. It’s no surprise that subscription-based business models are so popular.
This screen-sharing scam can have devastating consequences

Hackers are always coming up with new ways to get your information. You may think you can spot a scam or hack at first glance, but don’t be so sure.
Cybercriminals can hide malicious code inside apps to steal data and take control of mobile phones. Security researchers recently uncovered an updated banking Trojan embedded in Android apps downloaded more than 50,000 times. Tap or click here for our report.
Why it’s a really bad idea to keep sharing your streaming passwords

Netflix might be the king of streaming, but a company doesn’t stay on top by giving its service away for free. To deter cord-cutters from sharing account login details, Netflix is testing an extra $2 charge for those caught doing it.
Get a voicemail about tax services? Don't fall for the 'Eavesdropping Scam'

Tax Day is nearing, and we hope you have everything in order by now or at least on your way there. Just because there’s a deadline doesn’t mean you should be scrambling to finish by then.
April 18 is not only the last day to file your taxes, but it’s also the deadline to claim your old tax refunds from 2018. The IRS says there are $1.5 billion in unclaimed funds, and hundreds of those dollars could be waiting for you. Tap or click here for our report and tips on claiming your refund.
Check your phone - Antivirus apps caught spreading banking malware

When it comes to smartphone apps, proceed at your own risk. When you decide to download an app, even if it’s from a trusted source, you could be exposing your data, privacy and even financial information without knowing it.
Before you scan a random QR code, read this warning

Quick Response codes, or QR codes, can be helpful to direct mobile phone users to a website quickly. You don’t need to remember the URL, as you only need to point your phone’s camera at the uniquely-generated square.
SIM swapping is one of the most dangerous phone hacks - And it's on the rise

You might assume that the SIM card in your mobile phone is safe. After all, it is firmly embedded into your device, and someone would need to take it out physically to access it. But that isn’t the only method. Tap or click here for an in-depth look at SIM swapping scams.
Don't make the same mistake that cost me $90K

I’ve been a small business owner for 25 years. Along the way, I’ve had some great successes, along with my fair share of mistakes.
Sometimes those mistakes are easy to recover from. You recognize what went wrong, regroup and try something new. And sometimes you realize, “Uh oh. This is something I can never let happen again.”
3 simple things that will save your business money to start the fiscal year

Many people think that owning your own business means you have hundred-dollar bills hanging out of your wallet. Small business owners know differently.
Business owners face a myriad of financial hurdles, more so since the pandemic. So when it comes to budgeting, finding ways to cut costs is a priority for every business owner.
Here's what those free credit check sites really cost you (it's not just money)

Many Americans have used free credit reports to see how they are doing financially. It’s not a bad idea to get a grip on your credit. But there is a danger lurking in them too. Tap or click here to see how much your credit card is now worth on the Dark Web.
Here's how much your credit card is now worth on the Dark Web - and the one account worth a lot more

Payment apps make it easy to pay back friends, settle up a restaurant bill or order something online. There’s also a sanitary advantage, as you don’t have to handle credit cards, payment machines or cash.
While convenient, payment apps do carry risks. There are right and wrong ways to use them safely. Tap or click here for our tips on locking down these apps.
These versions of QuickBooks are no longer supported - Time to upgrade

Each year, Intuit discontinues older versions of its QuickBooks line. As of May 31, these versions are no longer supported:
If you were using one of those editions, it’s seriously time to upgrade. We say it’s time to ditch the spreadsheets altogether. Don’t let QuickBooks and spreadsheets slow you down, making things harder than necessary. It’s time to upgrade to NetSuite.
Insurance scams are spiking. Take these steps to protect yourself
Scammers are becoming so brazen in their tactics that they are going so far as to impersonate federal officials. This month, an alert was issued that criminals are phoning potential victims, claiming to be FBI agents. Tap or click here for details of this nasty scam.
Did you receive an email about your ballot? Read this before you click

The election may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean the disinformation will stop any time soon. Scammers and cybercriminals are still hunting for personal data and financial information using tricks like phishing sites and mass emails.