Two weeks ago the Fed’s next move was impossible to predict. On September 16, it stopped being unpredictable and raised rates for the first time in three years. Here’s what that means for your borrowing decisions before October 15.
August’s CPI report shows core inflation at a 5-year low, but gas prices are pushing costs up fast. Here’s how to protect your margins before Q4 buying season.
The IRS raised the 1099-K reporting threshold back to $20,000 for 2026. Fewer forms doesn’t mean less taxable income — here’s how to prepare your books.
A few months ago, the story was simple: the Fed held rates steady, and the tone in the room was calm. That calm is gone. Inflation is now running at 3.4%, still above the Fed’s 2% target. At the Fed’s last meeting in July, three regional bank presidents broke ranks and pushed for a rate … Read more
July’s labor data quietly delivered one of the year’s most important signals for small business owners: weekly earnings grew 3.14%, the fastest pace since December 2023. Hours worked per employee hit their highest level since April 2021. Construction and manufacturing led the increase, but the pressure is spreading across sectors. Most owners will read this … Read more
For most of 2026, the working assumption among small business owners has been simple: rates are high, but relief is coming. Cut a little, wait a little longer, and the financing environment gets easier. That assumption needs a second look. The Signal: A Third Straight Hold, and a Louder Argument for Hikes On July 29, … Read more
New business applications are running at a record pace in 2026 — but the headline number hides the real story. Growth isn’t spread evenly across the economy. It’s concentrated in five industries, and if you operate in one of them, the competitive landscape you’re planning around today won’t look the same in twelve months. The … Read more
For the past two years, hiring felt like a gamble. Businesses either froze headcount out of caution or scrambled to hire when a good candidate appeared, with no real plan behind either decision. That pattern is starting to break. Recent employment data shows something small business owners haven’t seen in a while: stability. Job growth … Read more
The Signal Most Small Businesses Are Ignoring The escalation of conflict in Iran is not just a geopolitical headline—it’s an early financial signal. Oil markets react first. Then transportation costs rise. Then suppliers adjust prices. And finally, your margins feel it. By the time most small businesses notice the impact, it’s already reflected in lower … Read more
After two years of high interest rates and tight financial conditions, the U.S. economy is finally showing signs of relief. Inflation is cooling, consumption is stabilizing, and the Federal Reserve has opened the door to possible rate cuts later this year. At the same time, bookkeeping is undergoing a transformation. AI and automation are no … Read more