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7 Easy Steps to End The Year With Peace of Mind – And get your money in order

Ok. I have a confession. As the year winds down, I always notice a familiar tension creeping in. My head starts spinning with questions: Are revenues slipping? Are expenses creeping up? Did I set enough aside for taxes? And then, almost without realizing it, the same worries show up in my personal life. I’ll start thinking about our family savings goals, the cost of the holidays, or whether an unexpected expense will undo months of progress.

What I’ve learned the hard way (like, very hard way) is that you can’t fully separate business finances from personal finances. Stress in one area spills over into the other. If your business feels shaky, you carry that pressure home. And when money feels unstable at home, it’s hard to show up for your business with clarity and confidence.

This is why I started building systems. First, in my business with Profit First, and later, I realized I needed that structure in my personal life with The Money Habit. Both of these systems taught me the same lesson: security comes from clarity, and clarity comes from structure. You don’t get there by obsessing over spreadsheets or relying on willpower. You get there by creating automatic behaviors that keep you moving in the right direction. In your company, and at home. 

The common thread in both? Automated transfers. When you move money automatically, you take human error (and human temptation) out of the picture. Instead of wrestling with decisions every time a dollar comes in, you’re simply following a system that already protects you.

So, as Q4 comes to a close and a new year begins, I want to share 7 easy steps that will help you create stability in both your business and your personal life. These aren’t abstract ideas. They’re actionable moves that I’ve used myself, and that I’ve seen countless business owners use to finish the year stronger and with more peace of mind. 

1. Reassess your allocations

When’s the last time you revisited your percentages? In business, that means looking at your Profit First allocations. At home, that means reviewing your Money Habit categories. Are they still right for where you are now? Or are you running on outdated assumptions? Even small tweaks can free up cash, protect your profit, and keep stress from piling up.

2. Do a mini cash flow audit – and get those credit cards under control!

Look back at the last 90 days of business and personal finances. Where is the money actually going? You’ll often uncover leaks you didn’t notice: an unused subscription, bloated overhead, or impulse buys that add up. Once you see the patterns clearly, you can make cuts that give you instant breathing room. Make sure you’re up to date with credit card payments. When you fall behind, you end up trapped in overwhelming interest, hiking up those payments in the long run.

3. Move money weekly

Don’t wait until the end of the month. In both systems, smaller, more frequent transfers keep you engaged and create steady results. Each week, move money into profit, tax, owner’s pay, or personal categories. The act itself reinforces the habit, and the habit builds the stability.

4. Add a tax buffer

This one is simple but powerful. In your business and at home, add a 1–2% buffer to your tax allocations. Even if you think you’ve planned perfectly, that little cushion can save you from panic when tax time arrives.

5. Forecast Q1 profit

I know “forecasting” sounds intimidating, but keep it simple. Look at your current percentages and expected revenue, and project the minimum profit or savings you’ll set aside in Q1. This is a safety net and a promise to yourself.

6. Reset your pay

Do not underpay yourself and think, “I’ll make it up later.” Don’t fall into that trap. Review your owner’s pay, and if it’s not aligned with the value you bring, make a reasonable adjustment. Paying yourself fairly is not selfish; it’s how you ensure both your business and your household thrive.

7. Automate transfers

This is the glue that holds it all together. Set up automated transfers for both your business and personal accounts. The less you have to think about it, the more consistent you’ll be. Automation turns good intentions into habits you can trust.

Financial freedom isn’t about chasing some magic number in your bank account. It’s about creating systems that give you peace of mind, whether you’re sitting in your office or at the dinner table with your family.

As you head into the final stretch of the year, use these steps to give yourself that clarity. You’ll enter the new year calmer, stronger, and more in control.

Here’s to finishing this year with a strong path to financial freedom.

– Mike

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7 Easy Steps to Make Sure You End Q4 With Profit

I don’t know about you, but as I move into the last stretch of the year, I start to feel a familiar crunch and start over thinking, “Are revenues slipping, expenses rising, and is everything in order?”. 

To alleviate my spiraling, I made a list of  7 easy steps to get business finances in order before Q4 ends. I thought I’d share it with you so you can end this year on a hight note! 

Reassess your profit percentages
When’s the last time you set up your Profit First percentages? Don’t let outdated percentages sabotage your profit. Take a fresh look: based on your current revenue and expenses, are you allocating enough to profit, taxes, and owner’s pay? Even small tweaks can free up cash to invest in growth or weather surprises. Conduct a mini cash flow audit
Before the year ends, run a simple audit. Look at the last 90 days and track where your money really goes. View the flow of money as it is, not as you wish it would be. Identify areas where cash leaks occur, like unused subscriptions, bloated overhead, or overstaffed departments, and cut ruthlessly. Allocate Profit First accounts weekly
Don’t wait until month-end. Transfer percentages from income into separate accounts weekly. That way, profit, taxes, and owner’s pay grow steadily, and you start seeing tangible results immediately. The act of physically moving money to its dedicated accounts trains your brain to respect each dollar’s purpose. Implement a year-end tax buffer
Taxes often sneak up on business owners. Use Profit First to create a dedicated tax account. Even if you think you’re on top of things, adding a 1–2% buffer now can prevent a scramble at tax time and give you peace of mind heading into the new year. Prep a Q1 “Profit Forecast”
Here’s where you may freeze: projecting profit feels like guesswork. Based on your current percentages and expected revenue, calculate the minimum profit you’ll reserve for Q1. That number becomes your safety net, your peace of mind, and your springboard for growth. Review and reset your owner’s pay
Know your worth! Don’t go underpaid while the business bleeds money elsewhere. Prioritize your paycheck. As part of your Q4 prep, decide if your owner’s pay needs adjustment. Increasing it sensibly ensures you’re rewarded for your efforts while the business remains healthy. Automate what you can
The less you touch, the less you risk. Set up automated transfers into your Profit First accounts. Out of sight, out of mind, but always on purpose. Automation turns discipline into habit without adding mental load.

Final thought:
By now you know that Profit First is about more than accounting; it’s better money habits and a mindset shift. It’s the difference between reacting to money problems and designing your business to thrive, no matter the economy. These seven steps aren’t theory; they’re actionable, tangible ways to step into Q4 and the new year with clarity, confidence, and control.

Stop leaving profit to chance. Start allocating it first. Your business and your sanity will thank you.

Here’s to a stellar Q4! Without the spiraling!

-Mike

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Make Debt Repayment Easier With a System That Works

If paying off debt feels like a slog, here’s a little secret: it doesn’t have to be. You can turn debt repayment into something engaging, even fun, without ever losing sight of your ultimate goal: financial freedom.

That’s what I want to share with you today in The Money Habit Weekly: one insight, one perspective, and one action that can take the stress out of paying off what you owe.

The Insight: Gamify your debt

Debt repayment often feels endless because we think about it as a burden. High balances, interest rates, and looming due dates can be stressful, and stress makes it easy to procrastinate.

The shift? Our brains love games. They love progress, visible achievements, and small victories. So why not turn your debt repayment into a game you can win?

Instead of staring at a number on a screen, create a tangible system where every payment becomes a small, satisfying victory. Suddenly, that mountain of debt starts to feel like a series of achievable steps, and every step you take gives you a little dopamine hit.

The Perspective: Act on what’s right in front of you

We often get overwhelmed because we focus on the whole picture: the total debt, the interest, the timelines. But humans don’t act on abstract numbers. We act on what we can see and touch.

That’s where gamifying debt comes in. Make your progress visible. Make it real. And make it fun. Put your game right in front of you so every payment becomes a small celebration instead of a chore.

Here’s the beauty of this perspective: you’re no longer fighting an invisible enemy. You’re playing a game, and you get to see yourself win one move at a time.

The Action: Two jars, endless motivation

Here’s a simple, practical way to make debt repayment tangible:

Set up two jars. Label one “Debt I Owe” and the other “Debt I Paid.”
Gather small stones or marbles. Each one represents a chunk of debt; $50, $100, whatever makes sense for your situation.
Move a stone with every payment. Each time you pay a portion of your debt, move a stone from the “I Owe” jar to the “I Paid” jar.

Watch the “I Paid” jar fill. Celebrate those small wins. Take pictures. Track it. Share it with someone who will cheer you on.

This simple system works because it transforms debt repayment into a daily, visible, and rewarding game. Instead of dreading each payment, you start looking forward to seeing your progress. And little by little, the mountain starts to shrink.

Why this works

Gamifying your debt taps into human psychology. It turns abstract numbers into tangible progress. It makes the process visible and actionable. And, most importantly, it keeps you motivated when you need it most.

Debt repayment is not just about discipline, but about designing a system that nudges you toward success. When you create small, repeatable victories, you reinforce the habit of consistently paying down debt, which is the foundation for worry-free financial independence.

Your turn

Start small. Pick one debt. Set up your jars. Make it visible. Make it fun. And watch how much easier it becomes to stick with it.

Here’s to your financial freedom!

– Mike

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Scaling in a Turbulent Economy

If you’re trying to grow your business right now, you already know that it’s not simple.

The economy is unpredictable. Costs are up. Customers are cautious. Supply chains shift, interest rates climb, and hiring the right people feels harder than ever. Every time you think you’ve found steady ground, something changes again.

And when you finally do hit growth, it doesn’t feel easier; it feels more chaotic.

Scaling your business can feel like chaos

You work hard to land more clients, drive more revenue, and get the phones ringing. On the outside, it looks like success. But on the inside? Every small inefficiency suddenly becomes massive. Is that one unclear role on your team? It causes daily friction. The bottleneck you’ve been ignoring? It now grinds the whole machine to a halt.

So how do you scale a business when the economy feels shaky and growth only piles on more chaos?

The lesson from the pumpkin patch

Here’s the shift: growth isn’t about doing more, it’s about focusing on less.

“When you plant your field with dozens of seeds and spread your attention across all of them, every pumpkin will stay small. But when you focus your energy on the strongest pumpkins, they thrive and grow bigger than you ever imagined.” – The Pumpkin Plan

That principle matters more than ever in today’s turbulent economy. If you spread yourself thin; chasing every opportunity, trying every fix, reacting to every problem; you’ll burn out and stall. But when you focus on your best clients, your most valuable offerings, and your biggest constraints, you create strength that survives uncertainty.

That’s how you scale a business in tough times: by doubling down on focus, not frantic activity.

The framework for scaling business: 

Focus isn’t always easy. When everything feels urgent, you need a clear framework that helps you act in the right order. That’s why I developed the C6 Cycle. It’s a six-step system I tested inside 24 struggling businesses. It worked every time, because it forces clarity, exposes the real issues, and locks in fixes that last.

Here’s how it works:

Catalyst
Change won’t happen just because you want it. You need a spark that makes improvement unavoidable. For some businesses, that’s tightening profit first. For others, it’s forcing a true test like stepping away for a few weeks to see what breaks.
Commitment
A spark fizzles without commitment. You can’t be half-in. Make the change non-negotiable. Share it with your team and your family. Make it harder to quit than to keep going.
Cascade
Once the spark is lit and you’re committed, chaos stops looking random. Patterns show up. You see exactly what’s breaking, and in what order.
Concentration
Every system has one choke point that holds everything else back. Don’t try to fix everything. Fix that. Remove the constraint, and the whole business breathes easier.
Cure
Don’t gamble. Test one fix at a time. If it works, keep it. If it doesn’t, kill it fast. Then repeat until stability appears.
Continuity
Real change is when the fix outlives your attention. Build it into routines, metrics, and accountability. Create systems that run without you.

This matters in today’s economy

In stable times, you can sometimes get away with messy growth. The cracks are there, but the momentum covers them up.

But in a turbulent economy, the cracks widen fast. If you don’t have systems, clarity, and focus, the stress will eat you alive.

That’s why focusing on fewer, stronger “pumpkins” matters so much right now. It’s not about chasing everything but about scaling what’s working and cutting what isn’t.

Putting this into practice

Here’s what I want you to do this week:

Identify your catalyst. What’s the spark that will force you to take action now?
Commit to fixing one thing. Burn the boats; don’t give yourself a way out.
Find your biggest constraint. Ask: “If I could fix just one thing in my business, what would have the greatest positive impact?”
Concentrate your effort. Stop chasing side projects, shiny objects, or small fixes. Focus your energy on that one constraint.

This is the Pumpkin Plan in motion. Nurture the best. Cut the rest. Use the C6 Cycle to give your focus structure and staying power.

The bottom line

You can’t control interest rates, inflation, or customer moods. You can’t control when the next curveball hits. But you can control how you scale your business. You can decide to stop chasing everything and start concentrating on the few things that matter most.

Remember, scaling a business isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less and with more intention.

Here’s to your intention – and success!

-Mike

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Why Your Growth Feels Like Chaos – Spoiler: I’ve Got the Framework to Fix It

You thought growth would make your business easier. More money, more stability, less stress. Instead, it feels like chaos.

Maybe you’ve been here: your phone won’t stop ringing, you’ve got more customers than ever, trucks on the road, sales climbing higher than you dreamed. From the outside, people probably think you’re crushing it. But inside? You’re collapsing on the couch at night, wondering when the next “big break” will finally make things easier. And it never does.

But – growth doesn’t fix your business. Growth magnifies the cracks.

Read that again.

Every inefficiency, every unclear role, every missed step; it all multiplies until you’re drowning in your own success. And if you’re like I was, you start playing business whack-a-mole: a little sales training here, a new tool there, maybe even a team workshop. But nothing sticks, because you’re fixing problems in isolation.

I know this cycle because I lived it over and over. 

Build. 

Grow. 

Stall.

Scramble. 

Like freakin’ Groundhog Day. Until I finally broke the pattern.

And here’s what I discovered: what saves you isn’t working harder or praying for luck. It’s having a repeatable system. A framework that forces clarity, exposes the real issues, and locks in fixes that actually last.

That’s why I built the C6 Cycle.

The C6 Cycle: Six steps to turn chaos into control

I tested this framework through Prosper Group, my business rescue lab, inside 24 struggling businesses. It worked every single time. And it’ll work for you too—if you follow it.

Here’s how:

Catalyst: Light the fuse
Growth won’t show up just because you want it. You need a trigger that makes change unavoidable. Think Profit First (taking profit before you spend) or Clockwork (a four-week vacation to force the team to run without you). 

Commitment: Burn the boats
A spark fades fast unless you back it up with commitment. No half-in, half-out. No safety nets. Declare it to your team. To your family. Make it harder to quit than to push forward.

Cascade: Watch the cracks appear
Once you’ve sparked change and committed to it, chaos stops looking random. Patterns show up. You can finally see what’s breaking, and in what order.

Concentration: Aim at the constraint
Your business has one choke point that’s starving the whole system. Find it. Fix it. And resist the urge to chase everything else at once.

Cure: Install, don’t guess
Stop gambling. Test one solution at a time. Keep what works. Kill what doesn’t. Rinse and repeat until stability sets in.

Continuity: Make it stick
Change isn’t real until it runs without you. Build it into your routines, metrics, and accountability so the fix survives long after your attention moves on.

Why this works

Most frameworks give you theory. The C6 Cycle gives you movement. It forces you to act in the right order so chaos doesn’t just shrink—it transforms into clarity and control.

That septic company I told you about? Once they worked the cycle, the late nights ended. Not because the business got smaller, but because it finally got stronger.

For me, this framework ended my Groundhog Day loop. I stopped reliving the same problems in every company I built. Instead, I built systems that grew stronger with each turn of the cycle.

And that’s what I want for you, too: real clarity, real control, and a business that doesn’t eat you alive as it grows.

Growth shouldn’t feel like chaos. With the right framework, it becomes freedom.

Here’s to your success.

-Mike

Curious about how the Prosper Group can invest in your company? Email Greg Eckler at greg@thepropspergroup.org or check out the page! https://prospergroup.pages.ontraport.net/

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How to Solve Debt When the Numbers Aren’t Enough – The Human Element of Finance

When I was starting out, nothing felt lonelier than staring at a balance sheet that told the wrong story.

I saw years of sweat equity, loyal customers, and a team that showed up for me every single day. The spreadsheet? It saw a bunch of red ink. Debt. It was like standing in front of a jury where the verdict was already guilty, and I wasn’t even allowed to speak.

That’s what I call the spreadsheet TRAP: the belief that numbers alone define your future.

Lenders say no.

Refinancing doors slam shut.

Assets look too thin on paper.

Suddenly, it feels like you’ve run out of road.

The bottom line is that no spreadsheet can capture every nuance. Numbers are only half the story. The other half is human: your grit, your creativity, your refusal to quit when logic says you should.

I’ve seen it firsthand, both in my own journey and in the businesses we work with at The Prosper Group, my strategy lab for rescuing struggling businesses. Companies that should’ve been buried by debt instead found ways to climb out. The math didn’t magically change; what did change was their unwillingness to accept “no” as the final answer.

Let me introduce you to two of those stories. Their last names and business names have been omitted for privacy purposes.

Joe: The power of persistence

Joe ran a 3rd-generation family business. On paper, it looked doomed. It was mired in heavy debt and numbers that didn’t fit traditional lending models. Bank after bank said the same thing: Sorry, it doesn’t work for us.

Joe didn’t stop there. He kept looking, and he repositioned his story to focus on the things that the spreadsheets ignored:

A flawless record of making payments on ugly, high-interest loans.A business that carried decades of reputation and legacy.A support team (including a fractional CFO) committed to his success.A clear plan for crushing debt once it was refinanced.

Finally, a local credit union saw the value in Joe’s business.. They didn’t just see liabilities; they saw grit, history, and a smart plan. They bet on Joe. Within weeks, the deal was done. His debt was refinanced, his appraisal came in high, and his monthly cash flow improved dramatically.

Persistence paid off.

Suzie: The power of creativity

Suzie’s business had the opposite problem: minimal assets. For most lenders, that’s a non-starter. Game over.

But buried in her situation was a detail most people miss: her existing loans already had personal guarantees. That meant her personal and business finances were tied together anyway. Instead of seeing that as a dead end, we flipped it into a solution.

We helped Suzie tap into her personal assets, specifically a home equity line of credit. That single move restructured her sky-high business debt into interest-only payments. The result? Her monthly obligations dropped by 90%. Ninety! No, that is not a typo. That kind of breathing room can change the entire trajectory of a business.

Creativity paid off.

The philosophy behind the wins

Joe’s story is about persistence. Suzie’s is about creativity. But both prove the same point: your balance sheet doesn’t get the final say…you do.

Success comes from shifting the question from “Do the numbers work?” to “How do we make them work?” It takes digging deeper, telling a fuller story, and finding the angle others miss.

That’s the work I’m committed to with struggling entrepreneurs. It’s why we formed The Prosper Group; not as some magic fix, but as a partner for those who refuse to let a spreadsheet decide their future.

So if you’re staring at numbers that make you feel cornered, know this: there is always a way forward. You don’t just need a calculator. You need persistence. You need creativity. And most of all, you need to believe your story isn’t over yet.

Because it’s not.

-Mike

Curious about how the Prosper Group can invest in your company? Email Greg Eckler at greg@thepropspergroup.org or check out the page here https://prospergroup.pages.ontraport.net/

 

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Financial Stability in One Easy Step

When you think about money, you may think you need one big break, like landing that dream job, scoring the giant client, or paying off all debt in one heroic sweep. In reality, financial stability rarely comes from a single grand gesture. It comes from the small, consistent habits that shift your mindset first, then your bank account. (But you knew I’d say this, right?)

The mindset: Train yourself to prioritize security.

Money management isn’t about willpower. If that were the case, we’d all be saving, investing, and retiring early with zero stress. But willpower is fragile, and it’s the reason most New Year’s resolutions crumble before February. What actually works? Habit.

Here’s the mindset shift: automation equals discipline.

When you automate your money, you don’t have to think about it. You don’t have to battle temptation or justify skipping savings “just this once.” The system does the heavy lifting for you. And every time you see that small transfer happen, you’re sending yourself a subtle but powerful message: I take care of my future first.

That mindset builds confidence. It creates stability. And over time, it compounds into something much bigger than the dollars in your account; it becomes part of your identity. You stop seeing yourself as someone who “struggles with saving” and start seeing yourself as someone who prioritizes financial independence.

How to: 1% at a time.

So how do you start building this identity? Not with giant leaps. With one tiny habit.

Step 1: Pick a hidden account. Set up a separate savings account that you won’t touch for day-to-day spending. Ideally, make it slightly inconvenient to access at a different bank or hidden from your regular dashboard. Out of sight, out of mind works in your favor here.

Step 2: Start with just 1%. Take your monthly income and calculate 1%. That’s it. Automate a transfer of that small amount into your hidden account every time you get paid. If you make $4,000 a month, that’s just $40. Most people spend more than that on takeout coffee in a week. But here’s the thing: it’s not about the number, it’s about proving to yourself that you can save consistently.

Step 3: Increase slowly. Each month (or quarter, if that feels easier), bump up the percentage by a sliver. Move from 1% to 1.5%. Then 2%. Then 3%. The increases are so small, you’ll barely notice them in your daily life. But your savings will notice. Your account will grow steadily, almost invisibly at first, and then obviously over time.

Step 4: Stop or adjust when it’s not reasonable. This isn’t about reaching some magic number. It’s about finding the sweet spot where you’re saving consistently and living comfortably. Keep adjusting upward until you feel genuine strain, then dial it back one notch. That’s your personal balance point, and it will change as your income grows.

Step 5: Protect the habit.
No dipping into this account for “emergencies” like concert tickets or holiday shopping. This account is for real stability, like medical surprises, job transitions, or the foundation for bigger dreams like buying a house. The habit is only as powerful as your discipline to protect it.

The ripple effect:

Here’s what’s wild: that tiny 1% habit does more than just add dollars to a hidden account. It rewires how you see yourself and how you make financial decisions. Suddenly, you’ll think twice about impulse spending because you know your future is worth protecting. You’ll start spotting other areas of financial “leakage” and plugging them. You’ll feel lighter, more confident, and best of all, more stable.

And it all starts with one tiny habit.

The action:

Here’s your assignment this week:

Set up a hidden account.Automate a 1% transfer of your income.Watch your financial identity start to shift.

Take these steps now, and I promise you that a year from today, you’ll thank the version of yourself who took this one small, powerful step.

Here’s to your financial independence,
– Mike

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Financial Clarity for Business Owners: Boost Focus, Energy & Growth with The Money Habit

How well do you sleep when you’re worried about money? If you’re lying awake wondering how you’ll cover the mortgage, if you’ll have enough for taxes, or how you’ll ever dig out of debt, you’re not resting; you’re grinding your gears.

And when you wake up already drained, what happens? Your decision-making gets fuzzy. Your patience wears thin. Creativity stalls. Suddenly, the stress you felt in your personal life bleeds into every business decision you make.

Financial stress isn’t just a “personal problem.” For a business owner, it’s a productivity killer. When your mind is cluttered with money worries, you’re not giving your business 100%.

But here’s the good news: when you get control of your personal finances, you get clarity, energy, and focus back. And that shows up in every corner of your business.

Practical money habits that change everything

The best part? You don’t need to overhaul your entire financial life overnight. In fact, the smaller the step, the better. Here are a few key principles from The Money Habit you can start applying today:

 Automate your savings – Set up an automatic transfer that moves a small percentage of your income into savings or debt reduction each month. Even if it’s just 1%, the automation means you don’t have to think about it or rely on willpower. It happens in the background, and progress builds quietly over time. Track what actually matters – Forget tracking every single penny. It’s overwhelming and unsustainable. Instead, focus on the few categories that make the biggest impact: debt, essentials, and discretionary spending. When you can see where your money is really going, you can make better decisions without the mental fog.Build habits, not perfection – The goal isn’t to get everything “right.” The goal is to build small, consistent habits. One step leads to another, momentum builds, and confidence grows. Over time, that momentum is what changes your financial reality.

These are simple shifts, but they add up. And when your financial life feels steady, you show up to your business with more energy, less stress, and a clear head.

What this means for business owners – you

Here’s the connection most entrepreneurs miss: the habits you build in your personal finances mirror the habits you need to grow your business.

Clarity drives confidence. Just like tracking your personal money gives you control, setting clear business goals gives your company direction. When you know where you’re headed, you can make decisions faster and with less second-guessing.Small steps create big wins. Just like a little extra toward debt speeds up payoff, consistent small improvements in your business, like refining your client experience or tightening processes, compound into major results.Reduce cognitive load. Automation isn’t just for your savings account. Automate repeatable tasks in your business, too. Free your brain to focus on strategy and creative problem-solving instead of the daily grind.Invest in yourself first. When you prioritize your financial health, you’re not being selfish; you’re ensuring you have the clarity and strength to lead. And when you lead well, your team and your business thrive.

The parallels are clear: when you win at home, you win at work.

Taking Action

If you’ve been running your business under the weight of financial stress, it’s time to stop. You don’t need another sleepless night. You don’t need to burn out trying to power through. You need clarity, and you can get it.

Here’s a simple plan to start today:

Pick one habit like automating savings, tracking essentials, or cutting one unnecessary expense and commit to it for the next 30 days.Share your goal with someone you trust. Accountability makes all the difference.Notice the shift in your energy and focus. When you see the connection between financial clarity and better leadership, you’ll be hooked.

And if you want the full playbook, The Money Habit is where I lay it all out. It’s not complicated. It’s not overwhelming. It’s practical, doable, and designed to work even when life gets messy (because it will).

Final thought

Financial clarity isn’t just about your bank account; it is about your business, your leadership, and your peace of mind. When you reduce financial stress, you gain back the focus and energy you need to grow your business and enjoy the process.

So, let me challenge you: don’t wait until you “have time” to fix your finances. Start now. Start small. Build the habit. Because the stronger you are, the stronger your business will be.

– Mike 

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Your Mortgage – The Trick to Paying it Off Early

Whether you’ve just moved into your first home or have been making payments for years, the idea of shaving years off your mortgage can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: you don’t need complicated strategies or risky investments to achieve it. You just need a simple, consistent habit.

The Insight: Overfund your mortgage

Here’s the first piece of wisdom: overfunding your mortgage with a consistent percentage directed toward the principal can dramatically accelerate your payoff timeline.

Most homeowners focus solely on making their monthly payment. They dutifully write the check, cross their fingers, and wait for the balance to slowly tick down. But what if you could shave years and tens of thousands of dollars off that balance without feeling the pinch?

The key is consistency. Even a small, regular increase in your principal payment compounds over time. Think of it like giving your mortgage a “boost” each month, steadily pushing it toward zero. It’s simple math, but the results are extraordinary when practiced habitually.

The Perspective: Peace of mind is the greatest return

Now, I know what some of you are thinking: “Mike, the math says I could make more money by investing that extra cash elsewhere.” And you’re right. Investments can yield impressive returns. But here’s the perspective I want to offer: the return on a debt-free home is peace of mind.

Imagine the relief of living mortgage-free. No more monthly minimums, no more interest eating away at your hard-earned money, no more feeling trapped by a debt that hangs over your head. That freedom is worth more than any stock market gain. It’s security. It’s mental clarity. It’s the ability to redirect your energy and resources toward the life you actually want to live.

While investing is smart, securing your home and removing that financial anchor often provides the largest psychological and practical return of all. And the best part? It’s within reach if you take action consistently.

The Action: Start with 10%

Here’s the actionable step you can take today: start by paying 10% more than your required mortgage payment each month, directing that extra amount toward the principal.

Can you handle more? Absolutely. Try 20%, then 30%. The more you can safely allocate without straining your monthly budget, the faster you’ll reach freedom.
Can you only manage 10%? Perfect—that’s your baseline. Consistency matters more than the size of the extra payment.

By making this small but steady habit a part of your financial routine, you’ll watch your payoff period shrink significantly. That’s not theory—that’s math in action. Every extra dollar paid toward your principal reduces your interest and shortens the life of your loan.

Here’s a simple mental model to keep you motivated: treat your mortgage like a snowball rolling downhill. Each extra payment adds weight, and over time, it grows faster and more powerful. Before you know it, your mortgage is gone, leaving you free to focus on other financial goals.

Why this habit works

Consistency is the unsung hero of financial freedom. You don’t need to time the market, invest in high-risk ventures, or chase complex strategies. You just need to commit to one habit and stick to it.

By overfunding your mortgage monthly:

You reduce total interest paid – The longer your loan drags on, the more interest accrues. Every extra payment cuts that cost.
You shorten the timeline – Even modest increases can shave years off a 30-year mortgage.
You gain control – Watching your balance shrink gives you tangible proof that your financial decisions are working.

This is the beauty of the Money Habit approach: small, deliberate actions compounded over time lead to extraordinary results.

Make it social

One of the most powerful ways to reinforce this habit is by sharing it. Tell a friend. Encourage them to subscribe to The Money Habit Weekly for free. Accountability and shared goals can help you stick to the plan—and it could transform someone else’s financial future, too.

Your assignment for the week

So here’s your one simple task: pick a percentage you can comfortably add to your monthly mortgage payment. Start at 10%, and be consistent. Track your progress. Notice how quickly that snowball starts rolling.

And remember: this isn’t about deprivation or stress. It’s about creating financial independence and the peace of mind that comes with it. You’re investing in your future, in a home that’s fully yours, and in the freedom to live life on your terms.

Closing thought

Paying off your mortgage early isn’t just a financial strategy; it’s a mindset. It’s proof that by taking deliberate, consistent steps, you can regain control over your finances and your life.

I’m wishing you a lifetime of financial independence. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your freedom grow.

– Mike

Grab your preordered copy of The Money Habit here or with your favorite bookseller.

 

The post Your Mortgage – The Trick to Paying it Off Early appeared first on Mike Michalowicz.

Why I’m Running an AI Experiment – and Staying Human

When I first started out, one of the biggest challenges I faced wasn’t just learning the ropes of entrepreneurship, but staying integral to who I am. I wanted to be human in every interaction, truly understand the experiences of my customers, and respond with empathy. But at the same time, I felt the constant pressure to do everything myself. Emails, scheduling, client questions, content creation…it was endless. I worried that leaning on systems or technology would somehow make me less “real,” less connected.

It took a mindset shift to realize something important: being human doesn’t mean doing all the work yourself. Being human means knowing where your unique value lies and delegating the rest, even to AI, so you can focus on what really matters. When I embraced that idea, I discovered a way to stay connected to my customers, honor their human experiences, and still operate efficiently.

I’ve always believed that the best way to grow personally and professionally is through action, especially experiments. Real growth comes when we try something new, test it out, see what works, and adjust along the way.

That’s how every one of my books has been written: not by me sitting in an ivory tower with “perfect ideas,” but by testing concepts in the real world. Sometimes those experiments fail (and fail big). Other times, they work better than I could have imagined. Either way, the experiments always point to the truth.

Right now, I’m running an experiment that has me both excited and a little nervous. It involves AI, my speaking page, and maybe you.

Leadscraping – The speaking page test

Here’s what we’re doing: we’ve set up my speaking page to run an AI-driven test. When someone visits, the system tracks engagement so that we can potentially reach out to them afterward.

I want to be very clear: this isn’t some shady “Big Brother” thing. No hidden data scraping, no weird invasions of privacy. It’s simply an experiment to see if there’s a smarter, more effective way to connect with people who might be interested in having me speak at their event.

Normally, people browse a site and then vanish. Poof. Maybe they were curious, maybe they were serious, but either way, we never hear from them again. That’s a lost opportunity for both of us.

So the experiment is this: what if AI could help bridge that gap? What if we could follow up in a thoughtful, human way with people who’ve shown interest?

What do you think?

This is where I need your perspective.

How do you feel about this? If you were in my shoes, would you try it? Would you feel comfortable if you were on the visitor’s side of things (email support@mikemichalowicz.com and let me know!)?

I’ve always seen business as a two-way street. I learn just as much from you as I hope you learn from me. So I genuinely want your take on this. Transparency is everything – and so is dialogue.

Why AI, and why now?

The bigger question might be: why AI at all?

Here’s my answer: because entrepreneurs need answers fast. When you’re in the weeds of your business, you don’t have time to wait for the next coaching call, the next event, or the next book release. Sometimes you need a tool that can give you immediate guidance in the moment.

That’s what excites me about AI. Not the hype, not the buzzwords, but the real possibility of creating something that can serve you right when you need it.

So, I started asking myself: what if AI could extend the reach of what I do? What if there was a way for you to get my methods, my systems, and my frameworks not just when I’m available, but whenever you need them?

That’s when we created something new.

Introducing AI + The Guy

This isn’t just another “AI tool.” It’s me and my digital brain working together to help you grow your business without burning yourself out.

Here’s how it works:

AI: You get access to my virtual brain 24/7. It’s trained on everything I’ve ever written, said, or scribbled on a napkin. That means you can ask it anything about Profit First, The Pumpkin Plan, Clockwork, or any of my systems, and get actionable answers right away. No waiting. No office hours.The Guy: That’s me. The real me. Every month, I show up live. We’ll dig into strategies, answer questions, and have real conversations. No fluff. No filler. Just the honest truth and practical coaching. It’s the best of both worlds: immediate access when you need it, plus live connection when we come together.

Where growth and experiment collide

AI + The Guy is, at its heart, another experiment. We don’t have all the answers yet (no pun intended). But I believe this is where business growth is heading: faster breakthroughs, smarter systems, and more personal connections.

Let’s try this together

Here’s what I hope you take away: experiments are how we grow. I’m running this AI experiment because I want to serve you better, faster, and smarter. And I want to do it in a way that’s transparent, human, and collaborative.

So let’s try this together. Share your thoughts on the speaking page test. Tell me how you feel about AI in business.

Who knows? This just might be the experiment that changes everything.

-Mike

PS – And here’s the kicker: right now, you can jump in and try it for just $5 for your first month. That’s it. For less than the cost of a fancy coffee, you can have my digital brain in your pocket—and me live, every month.  Join AI + The Guy

 

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