Looking for do-it-yourself (DIY) financial management information? There are lots of ways to get low cost financial management help. Notice I didn’t say “free”. Learning on your own takes time, and time is perhaps your most valuable commodity. Below are a few places to get started, and please let us know about your favorites, too.

The Help Index…
…of your software i.e. Excel or QuickBooks desktop or QuickBooks Online (and QuickBooks Online’s e-mail support). Funny place to start? Maybe, but many people overlook this highly targeted learning opportunity that they’ve already paid for in the software. Most vendors have help integrated into their software and an online space with templates, user groups/community forums, and more how-to articles.

Your industry peers
Your industry peers can provide valuable information that’s difficult to obtain anywhere else. Pricing, margins, best practices, interpretations of “gray area” laws, local bankers or investors friendly to your type of business – if you can get this kind of insider’s information without compromising your competitive position – it’s golden!

General internet resources:
Wall Street Journal Start-up Journal
National Association of Women Business Owners
http://www.inc.com/
http://www.toolkit.cch.com/
http://www.allbusiness.com/
http://www.nolo.com/
http://www.accountingcoach.com/
http://www.mybusinessmag.com/
Free e-mail advice from SCORE executives
http://www.buzgate.org/
U.S. Small Business Administration

Business permits, tax and license
IRS/small business | California | Phoenix | Arizona | IRS all 50 states link

Economic Development Centers

Phoenix, Arizona
http://www.sba.gov/az/
http://www.maricopa.edu/mccdsbdc/ 

San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco - http://www.rencenter.org/
Oakland - http://www.eastbaysbdc.org/
Oakland - http://www.obdc.com/
San Jose

Southern California
Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara
San Diego