This post is sponsored by Intuit QuickBooks.

The Fold recently partnered with one of our favorite local stores to share the money and wellness wisdom of our resident financial guru, Hillary Augustine. Inspired and empowered by the workshop and the start of a new year, I took a look at my professional finance systems, or lack thereof, in an effort to identify and establish some much needed new practices. 

Money is a sensitive topic for many, myself included. As someone who has been self-employed for the past nine years, I am embarrassed to admit how how little I have planned and how much I have overlooked. When I was presented with the opportunity to create my own Quickbooks account and to share my experience, I did not have a moment of hesitation. In a nutshell, it was long overdue. 

The first few years of starting a business can be overwhelming, to say the least. Throw in a new baby and a cross-country move, and it felt downright paralyzing. I pushed many things to the back burner, financial foresight being top of the list. 

Even though I am just getting started with the program, I already feel a sense of clarity about my expenses for the coming year. I know I can plan for hiccups, childcare expenses and savings. Essentially things that were thrown into a "pot" in the past and handled based on emergent necessity. The ease and portability of Quickbooks ensures that this transition will be easy to maintain, which means no more procrastination and less stress overall.  

Quickbooks has graciously offered a discount of 50% off for nine months to all our self-employed readers. So whether you are nine years in or just getting started, there is a lot to be gained from seeing a clear picture of your finances and getting a few steps closer to financial freedom — better late than never, I always say.