The Finance Shed Blog
Check out the latest from The Finance Shed…
The Top 5 Business Risks Tradies Overlook (and How to Fix Them)
Introduction: Tradies Are Great on the Tools — But What About in the Office? Most tradies are brilliant at what they do — whether it’s wiring, plumbing, painting, or building. You know how to fix a leaky tap, install a switchboard, or frame up a house in your sleep....
Cloud Accounting for Tradies: The Smart Way to Get Paid Faster
If there’s one thing that frustrates every tradie, it’s waiting to get paid. You’ve finished the job, sent the invoice, and now you’re stuck checking your account every morning, hoping it’s finally hit. Sound familiar? Late payments are more than an inconvenience —...
Tax Avoidance for Tradies: The Hidden Costs You Don’t See
For many Aussie tradies, running a business often means juggling unpredictable jobs, long hours, rising supply costs, and tight cashflow. Among the chaos, it can be tempting to think, “A bit of cash work won’t hurt. The ATO will never know.” Maybe a client offers to...
Is Cashflow Financing the Right Solution for Business Growth?
The term cashflow can be slightly misleading. Many people associate "cash" with physical money—coins and notes—but in a business context, it refers to all types of funds that flow through a business. This includes money moving in and out through various channels such...
Small Business Cash Flow = Fuel: Don’t Burn Through It!
When you're running your own business, cash doesn’t just sit in the bank waiting for you to spend it—it’s working. It’s fueling your operations, keeping your business alive and moving. Think of cash flow like fuel in your car: without enough of it, you're not going...
Pay Off Non-Deductible Debt First: A Cash Flow Hack for Tradies
If you're running a trade business in Australia, you know that managing your cash flow can make or break your success. One of the smartest financial moves you can make is to pay off non-deductible debt first—especially if you're juggling a mix of personal and business...
What is Rainy Day Fund: Why Every Tradie Needs a Financial Safety
When the work’s flowing and jobs are rolling in, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind of running a trade business. But what happens when things slow down unexpectedly? Whether it’s illness, injury, weather delays, or an economic downturn, having a...
What is Lenders Mortgage Insurance in Australia? How it works
When you borrow money for a home loan in Australia—whether you're buying a property to live in or as an investment—most lenders will allow you to borrow up to 80% of the property's valuation. However, if you need to borrow more than 80%, which means your Loan to Value...
Commercial Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy: Key Aspects You Should Know
Whether you run a trade business, manage a fleet, or operate with just one work ute, having the right commercial motor Vehicle insurance is essential—not just for compliance, but for financial protection when the unexpected happens. It’s especially critical to...
Understanding Motor Vehicle Insurance: How to Minimize Your Financial Risk
Motor vehicle insurance is one of those things that everyone knows about and yet it is often not well understood. For many people, the first time they read their policy is when they have an accident - usually when it’s too late to make informed choices. Understanding...