Here's how you can effectively manage finances as a self-employed community organizer.

Keep a big emergency stash. Pay cash for everything; get rid of credit cards and credit card debt. Plan ahead -- way ahead. Know what you are good at and what you are worth.

Adopting the practice of budget tracking ...tied to spending habits ..and priorities ..and also thinking of the short term and long-term plans

Développer un budget favorise un meilleur suivi des dépenses pour une gestion efficiente des ressources. Une rigueur associée a la gestion du budget permet d’éviter un efficiente de trésorerie, et assure une adéquation entre les entrées et les sorties.

Budgeting helps you rank your expenses and categorise effectively into savings, need and wants. Helps you pay for the most pressing to the least pressing.

Planning and budgeting are key skills for financial management in the non-profit world. But organizers should also do some asset mapping. What is your organization doing that replicates the work of another? Could you collaborate or would they share their data or results? What gifts could the community offer you for free? Food for an event? Space for meetings? Building a good network of folks engaged in similar work will allow you to share resources and save money. What does your community have in abundance that you could use to build power? Opportunities are all around if we can see them!

Project budget expenditures based on previous Estimate and related successful work projects. Allow a contingency for market costs changes and expenses. Project costs based on goals and accomplishments of past, present and future plans and committments.

It is essential to identify what matters most and prioritize accordingly. Your budget should reflect these priorities, ensuring that resources are allocated in alignment with what is deemed most important.

The importance of budgeting cannot be overstated. However, it is also important to pay attention to what fuels one's pattern of budgeting. In my own personal and professional life, I budget while keeping in mind an adapted version of Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory. A budget which is not sitting on a good theory is a bad budget and sometimes I wonder which is worse: bad budget or no budget?

Budget basics for a self-employed community organizer start with seeking professional help. Invest in a bookkeeper, accountant, financial advisor, and/or tax strategist, as each offers a unique service to support your financial health and growth. Implement checks and balances by ensuring roles are separate; for example, your bookkeeper should be different from your accountant. This approach promotes accuracy, transparency, and long-term financial stability.

We live in a world of use and throw. We don't know how to use and what to throw. It can be of material, spiritual and emotion. We must use all these very discretely. While using them we have to be accountable. if needed use, otherwise never. Here we all fail. We must keep the account of everything eg. time, money, energy, and so on. Why? Because we spend what is given to us by different resources. Sometimes we think that this is mine, so why be accountable at all. Nothing is mine or yours. All is ours for the better use and this may fulfill all our needs in this world. If not me then someone somewhere in this world surely needs it seriously. So think of them and this will make us the real human beings for which we are created and designed.

As a community organizer, managing self-employment taxes is crucial for maintaining financial stability and compliance with tax laws. In my experience, I have found that setting aside a portion of income regularly and keeping detailed records of expenses are key practices to ensure smooth tax filing processes. By staying organized and proactive in tax planning, self-employed individuals can avoid surprises and potential financial burdens at the end of the year. I also recommend seeking guidance from a tax professional who understands the unique tax considerations for self-employment, as they can provide valuable insights and help maximize deductions to reduce taxable income.

Cash flow helps ensure that there’s always money available to cover expenses and support various activities that help the community grow.

Savings serves as backup, helping the community handle unexpected expenses or future projects without needing to rely on outside help or loans.

In my experience, I have found that prioritizing saving during periods of higher income is essential for weathering leaner times. By setting aside a percentage of income into a savings account, even small amounts can accumulate over time and provide a financial cushion during slower periods. Additionally, exploring retirement savings options like a Solo 401(k) or an IRA tailored for self-employed professionals is crucial for long-term financial planning. Planning for the future ensures that community organizers can continue their important work while also securing their financial well-being.

In my experience, opting for low-risk investments such as mutual funds or index funds can be a smart choice, especially for those with limited time and expertise in managing investments. These options are professionally managed and diversified, offering a level of risk reduction while still providing opportunities for growth over time. It's essential to remember that investing is a long-term commitment, so aligning investment strategies with your financial goals and risk tolerance is key to building a solid financial foundation for the future. By making informed and strategic investment decisions, self-employed community organizers can secure their financial well-being and continue making a positive impact in their communities.

Credit control helps a community maintain financial balance by ensuring that debts are managed properly, reducing the risk of non-payment and keeping cash flow steady for ongoing operations and future investments.