Dirty books cost you way more than clean books ever will—and in this episode, I explain exactly why. I see so many business owners avoid cleaning up their books because of cost or inconvenience, without realizing how much confusion, stress, and lost money messy books actually create.

In this episode, I break down what “dirty books” really look like, how they silently hurt your business, and how you can realistically transition from messy to clean books in about 90 days. We talk about why clean books are the foundation for profit, decision-making, and peace of mind—and what you must put in place so your numbers stop working against you and start working for you.

Timeline Highlights:

[0:00] Why dirty books cost far more than clean books ever will

[1:05] How inaccurate financials prevent you from knowing what you really make and keep

[1:24] Why cheap bookkeeping often becomes the most expensive mistake

[2:26] The tax-time chaos caused by messy books

[2:42] Why your bookkeeper must understand your industry

[3:03] The serious risks of bad bookkeeping—including legal issues

[3:41] Why communication with your bookkeeper matters

[3:59] The pain of waiting until the last minute to clean up your books

[4:15] The three requirements for getting clean books

[4:36] Why bookkeepers must be managed, not assumed

[5:55] How clean books help you identify real business problems

[6:10] Following the money to improve spending and profit

[7:05] How to move from dirty books to clean books faster than you think

Key Takeaways

1. Dirty books create confusion, stress, and costly mistakes.
2. Clean books are the foundation for profit, clarity, and smart decisions.
3. Cheap bookkeeping often leads to expensive cleanups later.
4. Your bookkeeper must understand your specific industry.
5. Communication and oversight are required—even with good help.
6. Clean books help you identify where money is leaking in your business.
7. Bookkeeping is not about compliance—it’s about control and clarity.

Links & Resources

Book a free discovery call to get clarity on your books and financial systems: profitrei.com

Closing

Thanks so much for spending time with me today. If this episode helped you see why clean books matter and what they unlock in your business, make sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who’s tired of guessing with their numbers. And if you’re ready to clean up your books and build real financial clarity with guidance and accountability, visit profitrei.com and book your free discovery call with our team.

In this episode of the Profit First for Real Estate Investing podcast, I sit down with Carter Lane from Unified Wealth to talk about one of the most overlooked tools in a real estate investor’s financial toolkit: the self-directed IRA. Carter breaks down how business owners and investors can take control of their retirement funds, invest in what they know (like real estate), and build long-term, tax-advantaged wealth.

We dive into how the traditional retirement model is failing most Americans, why Carter believes the “Wall Street path” is broken, and how Solo 401(k)s and checkbook IRAs can give entrepreneurs the flexibility and protection they need. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how your retirement savings are actually working for you, this episode will give you clarity—and action steps.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] – Introduction

[1:48] – Carter’s background and what led him to launch Unified Wealth

[3:32] – How his mother’s devastating retirement loss shaped his mission

[6:17] – Why 85% of retirees go back to work within three years

[8:44] – What exactly is a self-directed IRA—and what it is NOT

[10:29] – The biggest myth about what you can invest in with retirement funds

[13:11] – Custodial model vs. checkbook control: key differences

[16:06] – Solo 401(k)s explained and why they’re a game changer for business owners

[18:27] – How you can legally “borrow” from your 401(k) to invest in your business

[20:35] – The importance of financial education and investor control

[23:41] – What Carter’s weekly investor calls are all about

[26:18] – How to reach Carter and take the first step toward financial freedom

5 Key Takeaways

1. Self-directed retirement accounts = investor control. You don’t have to leave your wealth in Wall Street’s hands.
2. Solo 401(k)s offer powerful tax and funding advantages. Especially for entrepreneurs, these tools are often underutilized.
3. Avoid the middleman with checkbook control. Unified Wealth’s model simplifies access to your funds while staying compliant.
4. The traditional retirement system is outdated. Most investors don’t realize the risks until it’s too late.
5. Education is the differentiator. Unified Wealth leads with clarity and support, not complexity and jargon.

Links & Resources

• Schedule a call with Carter: https://www.talktounified.com/pf
• Learn more about Profit First for REI: https://www.simplecfo.com

If this episode opened your eyes to how you could grow your retirement outside of Wall Street, please rate, follow, and review the podcast. And share it with another investor who needs to hear this strategy.

If you don’t have cash reserves in your business, you’re one bad month away from everything falling apart—and I don’t want that for you. In this episode, I break down why cash reserves are the foundation of financial stability and how a lack of reserves quietly destroys otherwise good businesses.

I share a real story of an investor who was doing meaningful work, growing fast, and still ended up having to shut everything down because cash wasn’t under control. We talk about why reserves aren’t built in one good month, how systems like Profit First make reserves automatic, and how building cash buffers gives you options, peace of mind, and real freedom as a business owner.

Timeline Highlights:

[0:00] Why a lack of cash reserves puts your entire business at risk

[0:47] A real story of growth, cash crunches, and hard decisions

[1:56] How not having reserves led to layoffs and shutting down

[2:29] Why entrepreneurship requires systems for volatility

[2:48] The first step: knowing your real numbers

[3:08] Why Profit First prioritizes profit and reserves

[3:48] The danger of “sales minus expenses equals profit”

[4:20] How reserves create options and peace of mind

[5:13] Why cash issues cause stress, conflict, and bad decisions

[5:44] The difference between fear-based decisions and calm leadership

[6:24] Giving every dollar a name with Profit First

[7:29] How reserves are built automatically, not accidentally

[8:34] Why reserves let you make decisions from opportunity, not fear

[9:25] Why reserves are a habit, not a one-time event

Key Takeaways

1. Cash reserves protect your business from volatility and uncertainty.
2. Most business failures come from cash issues, not bad ideas.
3. Reserves give you options, confidence, and decision-making power.
4. Profit must be prioritized before expenses—not after.
5. Profit First builds reserves into every sale automatically.
6. Financial peace comes from systems, not hope.
7. Reserves are built through consistent habits, not one great month.

Links & Resources

Book a free discovery call and build real cash reserves in your business: profitrei.com

Closing

Thanks for spending time with me today. If this episode helped you see why cash reserves matter so much, make sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who’s riding the cash-flow roller coaster. And if you’re ready to build real financial stability with guidance and accountability, visit profitrei.com and book your free discovery call to start creating clarity and freedom in your business.