For business owners, the end of the year can sneak up fast. Between wrapping up projects, managing holiday sales, and preparing for time off, it’s easy to push tax planning to the last minute. The problem? By December, many of the smartest moves are no longer available.

That’s why September and October are the perfect months to take a proactive approach. A little planning now can reduce your tax liability and set your business up for a smoother start to 2026. Here are four key areas to focus on:

1. Review Quarterly Tax Payments
Don’t wait until the year is over to find out you’ve underpaid. Reviewing your year-to-date profit and quarterly payments now helps avoid penalties and surprises. If your income is higher than expected, adjusting before the final quarter is much easier than trying to play catch-up in January.

2. Accelerate or Defer Income & Expenses
Strategic timing matters. If you anticipate being in a higher tax bracket next year, consider accelerating expenses into 2025 to reduce this year’s taxable income. On the flip side, if your revenue will dip in 2026, deferring income may allow you to pay taxes at a lower rate next year.

3. Maximize Deductions & Credits
Year-end is prime time to take advantage of deductions and credits:

• Section 179 Deductions: Write off equipment and technology purchases made before year-end.
• Retirement Contributions: Funding retirement plans reduces taxable income while helping you and your employees save for the future.
• Energy and Other Credits: Depending on your industry, there may be credits you’re leaving on the table.

4. Don’t Wait Until December
The biggest mistake business owners make is waiting until the year is almost over. By then, your options are limited. Acting now gives you the flexibility to make strategic decisions and maximize your tax position.

The bottom line: Year-end tax planning isn’t about scrambling in December — it’s about taking control now. At GLM, we help business owners identify opportunities, reduce tax liability, and head into the new year with confidence.

As we enter the final stretch of 2025, it’s the perfect time to start thinking ahead. September and October give business owners a window of opportunity: the year isn’t over yet, but you already have enough data to project how things are shaping up. That makes this the ideal time to begin budgeting for 2026.

Why Plan Now?
Many business owners wait until December—or even January—to look at budgets. By then, you’re in reaction mode. Taking the time now to review your numbers allows you to:

• Spot trends early – Are sales up or down compared to last year? Do expenses look heavier than expected?
• Set realistic targets – Use the first three quarters as a baseline for what’s achievable next year.
• Make adjustments before year-end – If you’re off track, you still have time to change course in 2025.

Budgeting as a Growth Tool
A forward-looking budget isn’t just about tracking dollars—it’s about strategy. Your 2026 budget should align with your goals, whether that’s:

• Growth – Planning for expansion into new markets or product lines.
• Staffing – Forecasting the need for additional employees or contractors to handle workload.
• Capital Investments – Setting aside funds for equipment, technology upgrades, or facilities.

When you look at the numbers in the context of your business goals, your budget becomes a roadmap, not just a spreadsheet.

The Power of “What If”
Good budgeting also allows for scenario planning. Ask yourself:

• What happens if revenue grows by 10%?
• How will cash flow be affected if a major client leaves?
• Can we handle the expense of new equipment and still maintain profitability?

Answering these questions now gives you confidence in your decision-making next year.

Getting Started

1. Review 2025 – Look at your income, expenses, and cash flow through September.
2. Project the Year-End – Estimate how the rest of the year will close.
3. Build 2026 From There – Use realistic, data-driven numbers as the foundation.
4. Schedule Check-Ins – A budget isn’t static. Plan to revisit it quarterly.

💡 At GLM, we help business owners turn numbers into strategy. If you’d like guidance building a practical, growth-focused budget for 2026, now is the time to start.

Cash management might not feel exciting, but it’s one of the most important parts of your financial health. Too much cash sitting idle loses value, and too little cash leaves you vulnerable in an emergency. The key is finding the right balance and knowing where to keep your money.
Here are four essential rules to help you manage your cash the smart way:

1. Keep 3–6 Months of Expenses + Short-Term Goals
The foundation of smart cash management is an emergency fund.
This fund should cover essential living expenses—housing, food, and utilities—for three to six months. It’s your financial safety net when life throws you a curveball, like a job loss, medical emergency, or major home repair.
In addition, set aside cash for short-term goals you’ll need money for within the next two years, such as a vacation, a car down payment, or a home renovation.

2. If You Have Too Much Cash, Invest It
While holding cash feels safe, keeping too much of it can drag down your long-term wealth. Cash provides stability and liquidity, but inflation eats away at its purchasing power over time.
Once your emergency fund and short-term goals are covered, extra cash should be invested in a portfolio that matches your risk tolerance and long-term financial plan. This balance helps you meet today’s needs while ensuring your money grows for tomorrow.

3. Choose the Right Place to Hold Your Cash
Where you keep your cash matters. A mix of high-yield savings accounts and money market funds works for most people.

• High-yield savings accounts: FDIC-insured (up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank), accessible, and safe.
• Money market funds: Invest in short-term, high-quality debt with slightly higher yields than savings accounts—especially useful when interest rates rise.

The right mix ensures your money is both protected and working harder for you.

4. Know Your FDIC Insurance Limits
Even safe money has limits. FDIC insurance protects up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. If you hold more than that in cash, consider spreading your money across multiple banks or using brokered CDs to ensure full coverage.
While the chance of losing money in a bank failure is small, it’s always smart to protect your savings.

Final Thoughts
Cash management is about balance: enough to cover emergencies and short-term needs, but not so much that your long-term financial growth suffers. By following these four rules, you’ll enjoy both peace of mind today and wealth-building opportunities tomorrow.

In today’s digital-first business world, it’s easy to focus most of your time and budget on online marketing, social media campaigns, or national ad strategies. But smart companies know that there’s a powerful opportunity waiting right in their own backyard: sponsoring and participating in local events.
Whether it’s a community festival, a business expo, a charity gala, or a neighborhood fundraiser, showing up for local events brings unique benefits that digital strategies can’t match.

1. Strengthen Your Brand’s Local Presence
Sponsoring a local event puts your company’s name directly in front of the people who matter most—your neighbors, potential customers, and future employees. When attendees see your logo on banners, programs, or event materials, it reinforces your commitment to the community and builds recognition. Local visibility often creates more trust than national ads ever could.

2. Build Relationships That Last
Local events create face-to-face opportunities to connect with people. Whether you’re handing out materials at a booth, mingling with attendees, or networking with other sponsors, these interactions can turn into lasting customer relationships and valuable business partnerships. Personal conversations build trust faster than clicks and impressions.

3. Show Community Commitment
Today’s consumers want to support companies that care about more than just profit. By sponsoring or participating in a local event, you demonstrate that your business is invested in the well-being of the community. This kind of goodwill not only helps your reputation but can also lead to increased loyalty from customers who value giving back.

4. Boost Employee Engagement
Local events are a great way to involve your team. Encouraging employees to volunteer, attend, or represent your business at events helps build morale, strengthens team spirit, and gives staff a sense of pride in the company’s community role. When employees feel proud of where they work, they become better advocates for your brand.

5. Gain Marketing Value and ROI
Event sponsorships often include marketing perks—logo placement, mentions in event promotions, or speaking opportunities. These benefits amplify your visibility and position your company as a leader in the community. Plus, when your brand is tied to a successful event, that positive association pays off long after the event is over.

6. Create Content and Stories to Share
Local events provide great material for your marketing channels. Photos, videos, and stories from the event can be shared on social media, included in newsletters, or featured on your website. This type of authentic, community-based content resonates strongly with audiences and sets you apart from competitors.

Final Thought
Sponsoring and participating in local events is more than just a marketing tactic—it’s a long-term investment in your brand, your employees, and your community. By showing up where your customers live, work, and play, you’re not only boosting your visibility but also strengthening the bonds that make your business sustainable.
If you want your company to be seen as a trusted, engaged, and community-focused leader, start by supporting the events that bring people together.

Come See Us at the GOA Expo!You don’t have to wait long to put this into practice—GLM will be at the GOA Expo on September 18th at 3:00 PM. Stop by our booth to grab your very own GLM Coaster and the famous Mechanical Pencil—and let’s talk about how we can help your business grow. Click on the Picture blow for more info...