I live in Queens. Which means three things are always happening at once:
- Someone is honking.
- Someone is selling mangoes from a cart.
- I’m mentally calculating if I can afford both rent and takeout this week.
So when I tell you I didn’t start out using top financial planning tools, believe me. I started out with vibes. And hope. And a Notes app doc titled “Money Stuff – Don’t Look.”
That… did not age well.
I run a small business. Not a sexy Silicon Valley thing. Just a real one. Invoices. Clients who pay late but text fast. Expenses that sneak up like raccoons in the night. And for a long time, my “financial planning” was basically me saying, “I think we’re okay?” while sweating through a hoodie.
Eventually—after one particularly dramatic moment involving overdraft fees and a bodega coffee—I realized I needed actual tools. Not motivation quotes. Not hustle podcasts. Tools.
The kind that tell you the truth. Even when you don’t want it.
So yeah. This is me, talking to you like a friend, about the top financial planning tools that helped me grow my business without losing my mind (mostly).
Before Tools, There Was Chaos (And Excel Trauma)
Quick detour.
Back in 8th grade, I wore two different shoes to school.
Not on purpose.
It was a Monday.
That’s the same energy I brought to my finances for way too long.
I tried spreadsheets. I really did.
But every time someone says “Just use Excel,” I feel my soul leave my body a little. Rows disappear. Formulas break. Suddenly everything is negative and I’m Googling “what does #### mean in Excel.”
So yeah. I needed tools made for humans. Not accountants with six monitors.
Why Financial Planning Tools Matter (Even If You Hate Numbers)
Here’s the thing nobody tells you:
You don’t need financial planning tools because you’re bad with money.
You need them because running a business without visibility is exhausting.
I was tired of:
- Guessing if I could hire help
- Saying yes to projects I shouldn’t
- Panicking every time Stripe sent an email
Good financial planning for small business isn’t about being perfect. It’s about knowing what’s real so you can make smarter calls.
Also… sleep. You get better sleep.
1. QuickBooks — The Tool I Resisted Like a Toddler
I avoided QuickBooks for years. YEARS.
“I don’t need it.”
“I’ll set it up later.”
“I basically know my numbers.”
Lies. All lies.
Once I finally set it up (with mild rage and a YouTube tutorial), something wild happened:
I could see my business.
Not just money in, money out—but patterns. Trends. Where I was bleeding cash on subscriptions I forgot existed (looking at you, random stock photo site).
Why it’s one of the top financial planning tools:
- Tracks income and expenses automatically
- Makes tax season less horrifying
- Shows reports that actually make sense
Best for: Small business owners who want clarity without learning accounting jargon.
2. Wave — For When You’re Broke but Trying
Wave feels like that friend who says, “It’s cool, I got this,” and actually does.
It’s free.
Which immediately makes me suspicious.
But honestly? It’s solid.
I used Wave early on when money was tight and I just needed something—anything—that didn’t involve a legal pad and anxiety.
Why it deserves respect:
- Free accounting and invoicing
- Clean, simple interface
- No “enterprise-level” nonsense
Best for: Side hustles, freelancers, and early-stage businesses.
Also, sending invoices that look professional instead of “typed at midnight while stressed” is a confidence boost. Underrated.
3. LivePlan — The “Wait, This Is Actually Helpful” Tool
I thought business plans were fake.
Like, who actually reads them?
Besides banks. And maybe judges on Shark Tank.
Then I tried LivePlan. And… okay. I get it now.
LivePlan helped me map out where I wanted the business to go instead of just reacting to fires.
Which is huge.
Why it’s one of the top financial planning tools:
- Forecasting without spreadsheets from hell
- Helps you test “what if” scenarios
- Keeps you focused on long-term growth
Best for: Anyone who wants to stop winging it every quarter.
4. Profit First Tools — Because Revenue Lies
I read Profit First and immediately felt attacked.
Turns out, making money doesn’t mean you’re profitable.
Rude.
Using Profit First–style tools helped me separate money into buckets so I stopped accidentally spending tax money on things like… optimism.
Why it works:
- Forces discipline (in a good way)
- Makes profit a habit, not a hope
- Removes emotional spending decisions
Best for: Business owners who say “I’ll pay myself later” way too often.
This approach changed how I feel about money. Less panic. More control. Still Queens, though.
5. Float — Cash Flow, But Make It Visual
Cash flow used to feel abstract.
Like, I knew it mattered… vaguely.
Float made it real.
Seeing future cash flow laid out visually is like having Google Maps for your money. You can actually see the turns coming before you crash into a wall.
Why it’s a legit cash flow management tool:
- Connects to accounting software
- Shows future projections
- Helps avoid “oh no” moments
Best for: Businesses with irregular income or seasonal swings.
6. YNAB — Yes, Even for Business (Don’t Fight Me)
I know.
YNAB is “personal finance.”
But hear me out.
Using YNAB for small business budgeting taught me intentionality. Every dollar had a job. No freeloaders.
Why it secretly works:
- Forces awareness
- Great for solopreneurs
- Changes habits fast
Best for: People who want structure without corporate vibes.
Also the community is weirdly passionate. In a good way. Mostly.
Tools Are Only Half the Story (Sorry)
Here’s the uncomfortable truth.
You can use all the top financial planning tools in the world and still sabotage yourself if you:
- Avoid looking at numbers
- Ignore reports
- Pretend next month will magically fix everything
I’ve done all of that. Repeatedly.
The real shift happened when I made money a weekly habit, not a quarterly panic.
Coffee. Dashboard. Ten minutes.
That’s it.
What I’d Tell Past Me (And Maybe You)
If I could go back and talk to past-me—the one refreshing the bank app like it was Instagram—I’d say:
“You’re not bad at business. You’re just guessing.”
Tools don’t judge.
They don’t yell.
They just tell you what’s real.
And once you know what’s real?
You can grow. Smartly. Calmly. On purpose.
Also, stop paying for that app you never use.
A Few Honest Opinions (Take or Leave Them)
- Free tools are fine—until they’re not
- Fancy dashboards don’t equal good decisions
- One tool you actually use beats five you ignore
- Financial clarity is addictive (in a healthy way)
And yeah… sometimes it’s boring.
But boring beats panic. Every time.
Final Thought (Not a Conclusion, Relax)
Growing a business in Queens taught me something:
You don’t need to be flashy.
You need to be steady.
The top financial planning tools won’t make you rich overnight.
They’ll just help you stop tripping over your own feet.
Which, honestly?
Huge win.
Outbound Links (for fun + sanity):
- A personal favorite money mindset read: https://waitbutwhy.com
- Pop culture finance humor because balance: https://theonion.com
