This I Heart post is mainly for the freelancers out there. I just wanted to share about this app that I recently discovered that has been helping me in keeping track of my business mileage. I've seen the ads on You Tube, but I didn't realize that it would have been so useful for a single humble contractor like myself.
Before the app, I've calculated mileage the old fashioned way, I would buy my mileage logs in the office supply stores. More than not, I would forget to write down the mileage for short trips and only write them down for my longer trips. I think this was one of the biggest mistakes that I used to make.
Since I've started to travel to different cities for my work, I've been more mindful of my mileage logging. It didn't make it any easier to calculate these things, so I was more open to trying various apps. Out of the three that I've downloaded this is the one that has made the cut for these three reasons.
1. No more calculation: This was the major perk for me. I'm not the biggest fan of math. This app also brags that it makes an IRS friendly report of all the miles logged, which is a win for me! I also found myself doubting myself when it came down to travel, often doubting that I did drive that far with my commute. With the GPS attached to this app, there is no second guessing. The best part about it was finding out all the little drives were accumulating to about an extra $25/week I was missing out on, this has all been really adding up!
2. It's all automatic: When your doing and thinking about so much for your little business, it's so easy to forget to calculate your mileage when your minds going everywhere! I hate to admit it, but I love this app because it does all the thinking for me. It reminds me every couple of days to classify my drives as business or personal. I love that about this app.
3. It's free: Well... technically, If you only see yourself logging in 40 drives a month than it is. Otherwise, unlimited is around $60/year. Good thing about this is you can consider this a business expense and write that off as well. I've barely hit my half way mark in drives and I'm well into the month. But I would definitely purchase this app if/when I find myself expanding and doing more traveling.
Give the app a try! Download it, and the way it works is so easy to learn. I've saved a little under $100 this month alone. I also feel more put together and aware of my expenses for my business, which in turn allows me to look at the areas to make myself more efficient. I hope that this advice helps some of you freelancers out there!
