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What I Track in My Business Every Month (And What I’ve Learned to Let Go)

  • Writer: Adreanna Smith
    Adreanna Smith
  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

There’s this moment most business owners hit usually once the money becomes consistent, when it feels like you have to track everything.

Person who is using a calculator to track money expenses


Every dollar. Every metric. Every number someone on Instagram swears is “essential.” I get it.


You want to be on top of things. You want to feel in control. You want to make smart decisions and finally step into that “real CEO” role. But here’s what I had to learn the hard way (and still have to remind myself of sometimes):




👉 You do not need to track everything to be in control of your business.

Even as someone who runs a financial company, there are plenty of numbers I’ve stopped stressing about because they weren’t helping me make better decisions. And that’s the point: we track to get clarity, not to stay busy.


So today, I’m walking you through exactly what I do track in my business every month—and what I’ve learned to let go of for the sake of sanity.


Monthly Business Metrics to Track (What I Always Review)

These are the financial metrics I review every single month. This is my baseline.


1. Revenue (by Offer or Income Stream)

I don’t just want to know how much came in, I want to know where it came from. Revenue by product/service tells me what’s working, what’s declining, and where the potential is. It’s the difference between guessing and planning.


2. Operating Expenses

I’m not just looking at the total spend, I want to understand where the money’s going. Software? Contractors? Supplies? That context matters, especially when profit feels tight.


3. Owner Pay + Profit

I track what I pay myself but also what’s left after everything else is paid. Profit shows whether my pricing, expenses, and workload are aligned not just whether I’m earning.


4. Monthly Tax Set-Asides

I move a percentage of income to a separate tax account monthly. It’s not optional. It saves me from scrambling at tax time or panicking over what I “forgot” to save.


5. Outstanding Invoices or Uncollected Income

If someone owes me money, I need to know. This gives me a clean view of what’s been earned versus what’s actually hit the account especially if I’m planning for a tight month.


What I Don’t Stress About Anymore

Now let’s talk about the numbers I don’t look at constantly either because they’re not actually helpful or because I’ve handed them off.


1. Daily Bank Balance Watching

Refreshing your bank account every day = anxiety, not strategy. I have visibility, but I’m not micromanaging every cash movement.


2. Random Vanity Metrics

If I’m not actively working on something—like a funnel or a launch—I’m not checking social media conversion rates or website clicks monthly. Data without context is just noise.


3. Every Single Subscription Charge

Yes, we review tools quarterly. But I’m not losing sleep over a $19/month app unless it’s part of a larger pattern. Not everything needs to be dissected.


4. Trying to Control Every Line Item

Sometimes I overspend. Sometimes I grab lunch on a client day. That’s life. I have the systems in place to catch trends and course-correct—without beating myself up over every little swipe.

Dices with the letters W H Y

Why This Works

Because I track what brings clarity.

Because I’ve let go of what adds pressure without purpose.

And because I’ve built a system that works for me—one that helps me make decisions, not just create reports. My books aren’t just “done.” They’re actually useful. And that’s the goal.


If You’re Overwhelmed, Start Smaller


Don’t try to become a full-time CFO overnight. You don’t need to track everything you just need to track what matters for your business right now. And if you’re not sure what that is? That’s what I help my clients figure out.


Want More Support Like This?


I send weekly emails that unpack money strategy, clean financial systems, and real behind-the-scenes stories from small business owners who are getting their financial sh*t together without shame.


If you’re tired of overthinking your money and just want to get clear on what to track, when to ask for help, and how to stay in control without burnout...

Join my email list here and let’s make your finances feel easier, one step at a time.

 
 
 

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