I’ve been winging it with Excel for invoicing, but it’s getting messy as my client list grows. Feels like I’m spending more time wrestling with formulas than actually working.
Anyone else manage without fancy accounting software? Curious how you handle the billing chaos.
I just use a notebook and pen. Write down the hours, add it up, slap a price on it. Send the client a text with the total. They pay, I’m happy. Simple works for me.
Google Sheets is my go-to. I’ve got a simple template set up:
One sheet for each client
Columns for date, hours, rate, and total
Auto-calculates the invoice amount
I update it daily, takes two minutes. At month end, I copy the totals to a basic invoice template and email it out.
It’s free, accessible anywhere, and keeps everything organized without the fuss.
I keep a notepad in my truck. Write down jobs and hours. Add it up at week’s end. Clients pay cash or check. Works fine for me.
I’ve been in your shoes. Excel worked for me until I hit about 20 clients. Then it became a nightmare.
Here’s what I do now:
I use Google Docs for invoices. Made a simple template, copy it for each invoice. Takes 5 minutes tops.
For tracking, I have a basic Google Sheet. One tab per client. I log hours daily. End of month, I total it up, plug it into the invoice.
Payments? I note them in the sheet and move paid invoices to a ‘Completed’ folder.
It’s not perfect, but it works. Spend maybe an hour a week on admin stuff.
Bonus tip: Set reminders to invoice monthly. Easy to forget when you’re busy.
This system’s free and you can access it anywhere. Might work for you until you’re ready for real accounting software.
Excel can work for a while, but it’s a pain when you’re juggling multiple clients.
I switched to a simple system that’s been a lifesaver:
It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done. Plus, it’s free and I can access it anywhere.
For tracking time, I use a basic app on my phone. At the end of the month, I just plug those numbers into my sheet.
The key is to keep it simple. As long as you’re tracking hours, rates, and payments, you’re good. No need to overcomplicate things.
Been there. Excel’s a headache when you’ve got more than a few clients. Here’s what works for me:
Get a basic invoice template. Fill it out for each job. Keep a master list of clients and what they owe. Update it when you send invoices and get paid.
For time tracking, use your phone’s timer or a simple app. Write down hours daily. At month’s end, total it up and bill.
Main thing is to stay consistent. Set aside time each week to update your books. It’s a pain, but it keeps the cash flowing. And that’s what matters.