Home budget planning is essential to every home in order to keep finances under control and the stress level down. Once you have a solid budget in place, you have the tools to help other households do the same. You can start your own home budget planning business for almost no investment cost and get up and running in very little time.

Step 1: Register Your Business

Whether you’re working on your own, out of your home or in an office, you need to be registered with your state. Registration is easy and can be done through your Secretary of State office. In most states, you can register online, pay the fee and receive your license in the mail. While you’re waiting for your license, take the time to put your other pieces into place.

Step 2: Set up Your Financial Process

This is where you set up how you will track income and expenses for your business. This will be similar to what you’re teaching your clients, only on a business level. Decide whether you’ll use a paper or software system, but keep in mind using a software system allows you to pull extremely accurate reports at the end of the year which will make tax filing a lot easier. If you’re unsure about what and how to claim expenses, speak with a tax consultant before you get started.

Step 3: Put Together Your Product/Service Model

Once you have your system in place, you need to organize what you’ll be offering to your clients. This should be a basic templated system you can then customize to fit each client’s needs. Put together a paper planner with all the supplies then need to get organized. If they want to purchase software, you can recommend a couple to them. If you’re comfortable with financial software programs, include the purchase price of the software in your fees and help them set it up. Essentially your starter kit should include:

• Paper Planner w/ Pockets
• Tips & Tricks Sheet (designed by you)

• Business Cards (of yours, for them and to give for referrals)
• Nice Pen (this is a great bonus gift and makes your clients feel like you really care)

Step 4: Pricing

You need to set a pricing list so it’s easy to quote clients and close the deal. The primary fees you should set should include:

• Consultation Fee
• Session Fees (bundle these to offer discounts)
• Software Package (this should be a bundle pack w/ your fees and software purchase and set up included)
• Repetitive Sales Program (this could be an automatic refill of their planners and pens and include monthly maintenance sessions with you)

If you have extra services or products to include, set prices for those as well.

Step 5: Advertise

Once you have everything in place, it’s time to advertise. Get your name out there to every one you can, including investment advisers, banks, therapists and anyone else you can think of. Offer a referral bonus to give incentive to those professionals to refer you. Remember, word-of-mouth is your most powerful marketing tool, so treat all of your clients with respect and it will go a long way in building your home budget planning business.

You can help other households get their finances under control and give them hope for the future by starting your own home budget planning business. With a few simple things in place, you’ll be ready to start and find success from the very beginning.