The Financial Roadie

Weekly Momentum Builder

15-Minute Money Jams to Keep Your Finances in Tune

Welcome to Musicians Tip Jar. You wouldn’t step on stage without a soundcheck. Your money deserves the same prep. This guide is designed to work alongside your Financial Roadie Excel Sheet. Pick one "Jam Session" per week. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Get it done. Get back to the music.

Phase 1: The Soundcheck (Getting Started)

Week 1: The Gear Check (5 Minutes)

  • Goal: Just open the file. Seriously.
  • Action: Open your Financial Roadie Excel sheet.
  • The Task: Enter your current bank balance in the "Start Here" or "Summary" tab. That’s it. Close the laptop.
  • The Win: Breaking the seal is the hardest part. You just won.

Week 2: The Setlist (Forecasting Income) (10 Minutes)

  • Goal: Look into the future.
  • Action: Go to the Income/Forecasting tab.
  • The Task: Enter your confirmed gigs for the next 30 days. Don’t guess on the "maybes" yet. Just put in the hard numbers you know are coming.
  • The Win: You now know exactly how much "fuel" is in the tank for the month.

Week 3: The Rider (Recurring Expenses) (15 Minutes)

  • Goal: Know your baseline.
  • Action: Go to the Expenses tab.
  • The Task: Enter your "Fixed 4": Rent/Mortgage, Utilities, Phone/Internet, and Insurance. Do not worry about variable stuff (like coffee or dining out) today.
  • The Win: You now know your "Break-Even Number"—the amount you must make just to keep the lights on.

Phase 2: The Performance (Building Stability)

Week 4: The Advance (Building the Buffer) (10 Minutes)

  • Goal: Stop living gig-to-gig.
  • Action: Check your checking account vs. your Financial Roadie "Expenses" total.
  • The Task: Calculate the gap. If you need $2,000 for bills and have $2,500 coming in, that $500 is your "Advance."
  • The Win: Mark that $500 as "Do Not Touch" in your mind (or move it to a savings account). You just bought yourself peace of mind for next month.

Week 5: Tuning Up (Debt Triage) (15 Minutes)

  • Goal: Face the noise.
  • Action: Go to the Liabilities/Debt section.
  • The Task: Pick one credit card or debt. Update the current balance and the interest rate. Just one.
  • The Win: You aren't ignoring it anymore. Awareness is the first step to killing debt.

Week 6: Variable Improv (Tracking Spending) (10 Minutes)

  • Goal: Catch the leaks.
  • Action: Open your banking app and the Expenses tab.
  • The Task: Scan your last 7 days of spending. Group them into "Food," "Gas," and "Gear." Enter those totals.
  • The Win: You’ll instantly see if you spent more on tacos than on strings this week.

Phase 3: The Encore (Growth & Clarity)

Week 7: The Merch Table (Finding Hidden Cash) (15 Minutes)

  • Goal: Boost the bottom line.
  • Action: Look at your Income tab again.
  • The Task: Identify one "hanging fruit." Is there a lesson invoice you haven't sent? A mechanical royalty check you haven't claimed? A piece of gear you don't use that you could list on Reverb?
  • The Win: Found money is the best money.

Week 8: The Review (Clarity) (10 Minutes)

  • Goal: See the big picture.
  • Action: Look at the "Dashboard" or "Overview" tab of the Financial Roadie.
  • The Task: Compare "Total Expected Income" vs. "Total Expected Expenses."
  • ✅ Green (Positive): High five yourself. Transfer 10% to savings.
  • 🛑 Red (Negative): Don't panic. Look at next week's expenses and cut one thing.
  • The Win: You are the CEO of your music business.

Quick Tips for the Road

  • The "Friday 15": Schedule a recurring calendar invite for every Friday at 10:00 AM called "Money Jam."
  • Separate Church and State: Keep your business money (gig income) separate from your personal money (grocery money) if possible. It makes the Financial Roadie sheet much easier to use.
  • Don't Be a Perfectionist: If you miss a week, don't quit. Just start on the current week.

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