L and I sat down to talk numbers today. And we’re still together, so I call that a win.
We hit that time of month again — our CHB money meeting. The one where we look at what came in, what went out, and what needs to go out. And as always, it’s stress city for both of us.
It’s not just us anymore—we have employees now, and that sense of responsibility can crush your chest sometimes. Add in that money talk makes him upset more easily these days, and you’ve got a double whammy.
Here’s where we stand: sales dipped a bit this month. But we’re okay — we’ve got the new TMG Industrial dealership, and inventory for two more dealerships (Formex dock floats and Stinger Attachments) is on the horizon. We’re also approved as a Vevor dealership, which means more inventory-load decisions ahead.
Big moves bring big expenses, and on top of all this, we decided to close Sundays due to low foot traffic and brutal summer heat.
And if that wasn’t enough: I had my in-laws in the house since Sunday. They’re lovely, but I can’t actually work when someone else is here. So I’ve been schlepping my laptop and paperwork to the office every day—lap work, bag packing, chaos. My home office is basically nowhere. And I miss a lot–I can never pick up where I left off because I have to rearrange regularly. I’m always forgetting something, needing it from another location, different notebook. I’ll get my office settled at some point.
On the DIY front, I started constructing a file cabinet—L promised to finish it “soon,” but we both smelled that familiar phrase: code for “don’t count on it.”
💬 Real Talk Highlights:
Pressure’s real: caring for employees makes money talk feel heavier.
New ventures = stress: inventory costs for three dealerships is exciting—and terrifying.
Home/work balance? Nonexistent: moving back and forth with no real workspace is draining and contributes to my anxiety and sense of worth at times.
DIY management: file cabinet half-done = organizational metaphor perfectly captured.
✅ Takeaway:
Talking about money with your partner shouldn’t feel like a minefield. But in small business life, it does. We’re working on better communication — maybe calling out tension before it explodes, or sitting down with a plan and something to drink..
And hey — if you’re doing money meetings with your partner too — welcome to the club. You’re braver than the overly-cheerful Instagram couples who “do a spreadsheet date night.” Do me a favor: tell me one thing that’s hardest for you, too — I promise it helps. And I’m open to suggestions for what you do to make these talks easier.
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