My Writings
Essays
aka Long-form rants
Why I don’t call myself a CFO:
Chief Financial Officer is more than a fancy title. CFOs play a very particular and important role in large businesses. I can help your business, but I’m by no means a true CFO (and I’m not going to lie about it just so I can charge you more).
End the P&L:
Profit & Loss reports are the small business report. But, maybe they shouldn’t be. Read the pros, cons, and learn the P&L tricks.
What you need to know before opening an S-corp:
The internet loves touting S-corps as an one-size-fits-all tax savings. But, in reality, they’re very complicated and, in some situations, may end up costing you money.
Free worksheets:
Various worksheets I use with clients that I’ve made available for free. Currently, that’s just a Profit & Loss worksheet for side-hustles and consultants, but more to come.
The Tools I’m Using:
This is all the tech I use to run Resting Business Face (including the newsletter, LinkedIn content, and accounting practice). Feel free to rip it off.
The Email Library
Updated Whenever I Remember
Clients don’t pay bad invoices on time
Hey, I'm Michael Eckstein 👋, and this is 'Ordinary & Necessary', a weekly newsletter about the boring business topics that don't get enough traction on the web, but will help you manage and grow your business. You signed up on my website. If you'd like to...
Solve the underlying problem
Hey, I'm Michael Eckstein 👋, and this is 'Ordinary & Necessary', a weekly newsletter about the boring business topics that don't get enough traction on the web, but will help you manage and grow your business. You signed up on my website. If you'd like to...
Pay your taxes
Pay your taxes Hey, I'm Michael Eckstein 👋, and this is 'Ordinary & Necessary', a weekly newsletter about the boring business topics that don't get enough traction on the web, but will help you manage and grow your business. You signed up on my website. If...
What’s your Point B?
What's your Point B? Hey, I'm Michael Eckstein 👋, and this is 'Ordinary & Necessary', a weekly newsletter about the boring business topics that don't get enough traction on the web, but will help you manage and grow your business. You signed up on my...
Good debt and bad debt
Good debt and bad debtInterest is a silent killer. Years ago, I was preparing a friend's tax return and asked him how much student loan interest he had paid last year. He pulled up his account, told me how much interest he'd paid, then said "Wow, I've been paying off...
Use a scalpel, not a hacksaw
Use a scalpel, not a hacksaw Hey, I'm Michael Eckstein 👋, and this is 'Ordinary & Necessary', a weekly newsletter about the boring business topics that won't generate clicks on the web, but will help you manage and grow your business. You signed up on my...
How to discount an invoice the right way
How to discount an invoice the right wayExcellent reads!!! I love the discounting the invoice article. So true. Hey, I'm Michael Eckstein 👋, and this is 'Ordinary & Necessary', a weekly newsletter about the not-so-sexy business topics that won't generate...
The humanity of small business – asking for help during a crisis
The humanity of small business - asking for help during a crisis Hey, I'm Michael Eckstein 👋, and this is 'Ordinary & Necessary', a weekly newsletter about the not-so-sexy business topics that won't generate clicks on the web, but will help you manage and...
Insourcing – save money and frustration
Insourcing - save money and frustration Hey, I'm Michael Eckstein, and this is 'Ordinary & Necessary', a weekly newsletter about less-than-sexy business topics that will help you manage and grow your business. You signed up on my website. If you'd like to...