If you get your taxes completed on time, you go girl! You are definitely doing things right. If, however, you found yourself, once again scrambling for receipts, mileage and other information, put together a system NOW in order to avoid headaches and late nights next year. There are numerous inexpensive products from Quicken and Money to QuickBooks. Smart phones have an "APP" for nearly everything - business expense tracking, mileage  tracker. The point is to use some type of recordkeeping system:

• Have your business expense files easy to access so that you file your expenses immediately. This means that your files are not hidden in the back of your file cabinet but are at the front or in a stand up file on your desk. Expandable folders, hanging folders, manila folders are all fine. Use whatever helps you to file right away.
• Get out of "shoe box syndrome" by categorizing major expenses - separate your business expenses as you file: office supplies, phone, advertising/marketing, dues...
• Get in the habit of using the "Reconcile" feature and actually balance your checkbook on a monthly basis - catch errors when they happen rather than 6 months later... (or work with a bookkeeper regularly)
• Run the "canned" reports on spending each month and actually look at your business reports to seewhere your money is going, looking for anything out of place, odd or unusual (or communicate with your accountant regularly)
• Track your business mileage as you go rather than try to piece it together after the fact. Include a mileage log in your car, purse, briefcase or wherever you will see it often. A post it on your dashboard can help you to remember. 
• Utilize the year-end summary statement from your credit card company. Not only are they free but can be a great time saver; however, a note of caution, review closely, sometimes what the credit card thinks a charge is for is not what it was actually for. 

Bridget Connell 

Rachel Bauer

Beth Backen