Resources for Small Business Owners
Practical tools, templates, and checklists to make bookkeeping simple, clear, and stress-free. Start with our free tools, or grab one of our premium templates when you’re ready to level up
Whether you’re just getting started or ready to tighten up your books, this page is your one-stop shop. Start with a free resource, or grab a premium template when you’re ready to save time and skip the trial-and-error.
Free Resources
Get the Tools You Need — Without the Fluff
At Zero Fluff Books, we create simple, no-nonsense tools to help small business owners keep clean books and stop stressing about numbers.
Here you’ll find free resources like checklists, templates, and guides. They’re designed with trades businesses and online sellers in mind — nothing complicated, just practical tools you can use today.
How it works:
-
Fill out the quick form with your name and email.
-
You’ll immediately get access to your free resource.
-
We’ll also send you future bookkeeping tips, updates, and additional free tools straight to your inbox.
Note: By signing up, you agree to receive occasional emails from us. No spam. No endless sales pitches. Just clean, useful resources to help you run your business with confidence.
The Bookkeeping Basics Checklist
5 things every small business must do each month to stay on top of their books — without stress or overwhelm.
What Counts as a Business Expense (and What Doesn’t)
Not sure what really “counts” as a deductible expense? This no-fluff mini guide breaks down the most common yes’s and no’s for small businesses, Etsy sellers, and tradespeople. Simple, clear, and judgment-free — so you can stop second-guessing and start categorizing with confidence.
Top 10 Bookkeeping Mistakes Etsy Sellers Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Think your Etsy shop is running smoothly? You might be making some of the most common bookkeeping mistakes without even realizing it. This no-fluff guide highlights the top 10 errors Etsy sellers make — from mixing business and personal expenses to overlooking cash purchases — and shows you exactly how to fix them. Simple, practical, and judgment-free.
Bookkeeping Made Simple: A 5-Minute Guide to Getting Started
Skip the jargon and the overwhelm. This free guide breaks bookkeeping down to its core: money in, money out. You’ll walk away with three simple habits you can start today to keep your books clean and your business running smoothly.
Business vs. Personal Checklist
Tired of mixing business and personal expenses? This one-page checklist makes it crystal clear what belongs in your business account—and what should stay personal.
Cash Expense Tracker - Keep Every Dollar Accounted For
Track every dollar without the hassle - get the simple, no fluff cash expense tracker built for small, cash-heavy businesses.
Free Inventory & COGS Tracker for Etsy Sellers
Easily track your materials, calculate product costs, and see your true profit—all in one simple Excel sheet. Perfect for Etsy sellers who want clean books without the stress.
Done-For-You Services
Prefer to hand it off? That’s where I come in.
Zero Fluff Books specializes in:
-
One-time Bookkeeping Clean-Up — perfect if your books are messy, behind, or overwhelming.
-
Ongoing Monthly Bookkeeping — simple, judgment-free reconciliations so you always know where you stand.
No payroll. No taxes. No jargon. Just reconciled, accurate books.
FAQs
What’s the difference between free and premium resources?
Free tools are quick reference sheets — great for awareness and small wins. Premium templates are structured, editable spreadsheets that save you hours of setup time.
Do I need QuickBooks to use these?
Nope. All templates are Excel-based (compatible with Office 365 and Mac).
What if I get stuck?
Each template includes simple instructions. And if you’d rather skip DIY completely, you can always hire Zero Fluff Books for clean-up or ongoing bookkeeping.