Who You Need To Know:

This Week's 'Who You Need to Know': Meet Mari!
If you love to travel and save money while doing it, Mari is your go-to expert! Read on to discover how she can help you explore the world without breaking the bank!

I am Mari (sounds like “starry”, but with an M”)! I own Sweet Serenity Getaways where our philosophy is to chase sunsets, not stress! With this, I am a travel advisor who specializes in adults-only vacations. My life is driven by my passion for food, music, and culture. I am a long-time flautist, loving dog mom, caring friend, and supporter of all who surrounds me. I cannot start my day without cuddling with our sweet boy, Mr.Carlos—our rescue Doberman. I live in Kentucky with my brainiac husband, Brian, who is a technology expert. I love to smile at the little things in life, especially bird songs and pretty flowers. You may also see me crack a joke here and there to bring you some belly laughs. I am a Capricorn and my love language is quality time. I was put on this Earth to help others find joy, passion, and abundance through exploration.

Here are some of my money related pro tips for your next vacation:

Maximizing the value of your vacation is about more than just finding the best deals—it’s about making strategic choices that enhance your experience. One way to stretch your investment is by booking during the off-peak season when destinations are less crowded and rates are lower. If you have credit card points, consider using them to offset the cost of flights or upgrades, ensuring a luxurious start to your journey. For a seamless experience, organizing shared transfers or group excursions with like-minded travelers can help lower costs without compromising comfort. Additionally, booking early to secure the best accommodations can save you thousands. Don’t forget to explore all-inclusive resorts, which often offer excellent value with gourmet dining, activities, and luxury amenities included.

With the right travel advisor guiding you, these strategies ensure your vacation feels indulgent yet smartly managed, leaving you free to relax and enjoy—ensuring you get the most out of every dollar spent. With personalized guidance and thoughtful planning, you'll enjoy a vacation that feels indulgent, stress-free, and truly memorable. Interested in planning your next vacation? Let's chat! I handle the logistics, so you can focus on creating lasting memories. Check out the link below to connect for the best travel tips, connect with like-minded jetsetters, get to know me as an advisor, and schedule your complimentary consultation.

How to reach Mari

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Funny Money:

Crazy Facts About the World's Billionaires

The world's billionaires aren't just known for their massive wealth—they also have some truly unbelievable stories, quirky habits, and surprising lifestyles. Let’s take a look at some wild facts about the planet's wealthiest individuals.

1. Billionaires Are Younger Than Ever

Once upon a time, becoming a billionaire was a late-in-life achievement. Today, with tech and innovation leading the charge, more billionaires are getting rich at a younger age. Take Mark Zuckerberg, who became a billionaire at 23, or Kylie Jenner, who made it to the billionaire club at just 21! These young entrepreneurs show that age is just a number when it comes to massive success.

2. The Bezos Effect: Amazon’s King

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, once held the title of the richest person on Earth, with a net worth hovering around $200 billion. While he’s since been surpassed by other billionaires like Elon Musk, Bezos’s wealth is so massive that if he decided to spend $1 million every single day, it would take him 547 years to spend his fortune. Just imagine what you could do with that daily spending spree!

3. Billionaire Philanthropy on the Rise

Many billionaires have taken to giving away significant portions of their wealth. Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and other wealthy individuals are part of the Giving Pledge, where they promise to donate most of their fortune to charitable causes. Gates has already given away billions to fight diseases like malaria and improve global health. Maybe billionaires really do care!

4. Secretive, Yet Lavish Lifestyles

While some billionaires are incredibly public, like Musk or Zuckerberg, others live much quieter lives. Google co-founder Larry Page is known to be extremely private, rarely making public appearances or giving interviews. Despite their low-key demeanor, many billionaires live extravagantly behind the scenes, with private islands, yachts the size of cruise ships, and lavish estates.

5. Some Billionaires Are Self-Made—Others, Not So Much

While many billionaires like Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk, and Howard Schultz came from humble beginnings and built their empires through hard work and innovation, some inherited their fortunes. The Walton family, who inherited their wealth from Walmart’s founder, is an example of a legacy billionaire family.

6. Billionaires Can Be a Little...Eccentric

Finally, some billionaires are known for their quirky habits. Mark Zuckerberg famously wears the same gray t-shirt every day to avoid “decision fatigue.” Elon Musk, meanwhile, has declared his ambition to colonize Mars. With all that money, it's easy to indulge in some eccentricities!

Billionaires may live in a completely different world from the rest of us, but their stories and habits make for some crazy and fascinating facts. From their wealth to their philanthropy and eccentricities, these billionaires continue to capture the imagination of people around the world.

Do you have a favorite billionaire fact? Let us know!

Tips and Trivia:

Why Maintaining Accurate Records is Crucial for Your Business

One of the most important things you can do for your business is to maintain accurate financial records. Keeping detailed and organized records of every financial transaction—whether it's receipts, invoices, or bank statements—can save you time, money, and stress in the long run. Here’s why this practice is essential and how you can implement it effectively.

1. Ensure Financial Clarity

Accurate records give you a clear snapshot of your business’s financial health. When you keep detailed documentation of income and expenses, you know exactly where your money is coming from and where it’s going. This clarity helps you make informed decisions about your business strategy, whether you’re looking to cut costs, invest in growth, or plan for taxes.

2. Simplify Tax Preparation

Tax season can be a nightmare if your financial records are a mess. By keeping accurate, organized records year-round, you’ll have all the information you need to file your taxes properly without scrambling to find misplaced receipts or reconstruct missing data. Plus, detailed records can help you maximize deductions and ensure you’re not overpaying on your taxes.

3. Stay Compliant with Legal Requirements

Depending on your industry and location, there may be legal requirements for maintaining certain types of financial records for a specified number of years. Accurate record-keeping helps ensure compliance and can protect you in case of an audit or legal dispute. If the IRS or other authorities come knocking, organized records can make the process far less stressful.

4. Track Business Performance

Regularly reviewing your financial records allows you to track the progress and performance of your business over time. Are your sales growing? Are expenses creeping up? Accurate records make it easy to generate financial reports, such as profit and loss statements, to evaluate how your business is doing month by month or year over year.

5. Build Credibility with Lenders and Investors

If you’re seeking a loan or investment for your business, lenders and investors will want to see a clear picture of your financial history. Well-organized financial records demonstrate that your business is stable, credible, and worthy of their investment. It shows you take your business seriously and have a solid grasp on its financial standing.

6. Make Audits Less Painful

While no one likes the idea of an audit, having your records in order makes it far less painful if you’re ever selected for one. Proper documentation of receipts, invoices, and bank statements can prove the accuracy of your tax filings or other financial reports, helping the audit process move quickly and smoothly.

Maintaining accurate records isn’t just about staying organized—it’s about protecting your business and ensuring long-term success. By keeping detailed records of all financial transactions, you’ll enjoy better financial clarity, easier tax preparation, and peace of mind knowing your business is on the right track.

Need help with keeping your records in order? Goode Business Solutions can make all the difference in staying organized and compliant!

TRIVIA TIME!

Respond to this email with your answer to be put in the September drawing!

Congratulations Lisa Kopp for winning the August prize!

How about a "Would You Rather" this week?

Would you rather have to personally answer every customer email, phone call, and social media message for a week,
OR
spend a day chasing down every overdue invoice from your clients?

We’ve Got Your Finances Covered!

From keeping your books balanced to making sure your team gets paid on time, we specialize in taking the stress out of your finances. Our all-in-one services include everything from bookkeeping magic to payroll wizardry, plus we’ll handle your A/P and A/R like pros. We’ve got the tools to meet the unique financial needs of your business, so you can focus on what you do best—running the show!

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