OMG, y'all, this has totally been IT and research day for me. Not a JOT of writing done.

But I found a simple accounting and expense program, Overight, that's free for the first 30 days and $9.95 a month after that. It looks good, synch with my biz account and PayPal, calculates my 1099's.

Only problem I can see (so far) is no way that I have found to include expenses that don't come from my bank account. There are a few things I bought with the joint account before I had the biz account set up, but I have receipts.

I've also been updating the new-to-me laptop my sister gave me -- I moved the printer up and set it up. (Anyone know the cheapest place to get ink for a Lexmark X4560 -- which, btw, don't buy, because it fucking SUCKS as a networking printer.)

I'm also researching mileage and expense apps for my iTouch -- I'm looking at BizXpenseTracker as my top choice, but I don't know.

Also, does anyone know a cheap microphone that I can plug into my 2nd gen iTouch to use it as a recorder for interviews?

Oh, my god, I'm tired! But I got SO MUCH DONE today!

Should I admit I use the "throw all the business receipts in a box" method?

I have an envelope right now. I bought a $1 mini-accordian file for my purse, but I haven't set it up yet.

I'm leery as hell about being audited as a contractor, and I KNOW I suck at financials, so I'm trying to set it all up to be as easy and accurate as possible to avert future messes.

Also, tomorrow, I burn everything to CD's AND back up on my external hard drive.

Mercury is in retrograde. I don't believe in astrology (much, usually) but if M in Retro makes me CYA my computer, which is my LIFE now, then so be it!

Ginger, I do the same thing. Everything is entered on Quickbooks, but then I just throw it all in a drawer in case I ever need the hard copy.

I bought the TIPPR deal, so now have to get my graphical rear in gear.

Erin, I've been ordering from Vistaprint since 1999...whew, that oughtta be a song. If I tried to use a referral, I fear they would look at me funny.

I started out with business cards while I was at Loyola and have used many different designs since then. Goodness me, when I look back at my history with them, it's an interesting memoir of my resume. heh. Funny that.

Hey, I'm selling a domain name I've had on ice since 1997. I put up a listing on craigslist...and could do the godaddy auction route as well.

Any other avenues I should pursue?

will xpost with tech.

Erin, I highly recommend finding a good accountant come tax season, regardless of whatever program you find for now. My experience has been (without exception) that a good accountant saves much more than he or she costs when running your own business. You may already have one, but I just wanted to chime in just in case.

And many accountants are used to dealing with the "throw everything into a box" method of record keeping.

have to get my graphical rear in gear.

Don't know if you can pay or would do barter, but juliana is looking to freelance if you need help with your graphics.

smonster! Thanks for the Juliana rec. I don't need to hire for this round. I designed the logo, wanna see it? [link]

I've been using a part of my godaddy website, as a graphic...and I really like it, but my profile is getting higher, so I can only use my stuff. I love way it looks on the new website design, but I'm a bit stretched to figure out how to make it look good on stationary.

It'll come to me though.