3 Lakes Bookkeeping

10/23/2026

That row of applesauce jars on the counter has quite a story behind it.

A few years ago, a storm knocked over our apple tree. My husband thought it was done, but I loved that tree and wanted to give it a chance. So we used a tractor to pull it upright and a strap to help hold it there.

It took a few years, but this fall its branches were loaded with sweet apples.

Looking through these photos makes me smile. The kids reaching for apples with their bike helmets still on. A big tub of apples beside the kitchen table. Family gathered around bowls and pots, working together, with even the dog in the middle of everything.

And then the finished result: *50 quarts of applesauce* lined up on the counter.

All of that came from a tree we almost gave up on.

Sometimes a little support and time can make all the difference. I’m grateful we gave our tree both, and for the family memories we got to make because of it.

I think about that in business too. Things can feel messy or a little sideways for a while, but with the right support and attention, they can get back on solid ground. That’s a big part of what I love about bookkeeping, helping business owners get things upright, organized, and growing in the right direction.

10/20/2026

Here’s a 1099 update every business owner should know: Starting with payments made in 2026, the general federal 1099-NEC reporting threshold is $2,000 or more per contractor for the year for payments made via cash or check. The old threshold was $600.

What hasn’t changed: you still need to collect W-9s from the contractors you pay. Collecting them now, in October, saves you from chasing people down in January.

My tip this week:
✓ Review every contractor you’ve paid this year.
✓ Confirm their W-9s are on file.
✓ Request any missing W-9s now.

Questions about 1099s? Email me at [email protected]

10/16/2026

Fall in River Falls is something special. The leaves are turning, the mornings are crisp, and our weekends are still running on soccer schedules and travel mugs of coffee.

This time of year always reminds me to slow down for a minute, even when the calendar says otherwise. Business and family both ask a lot of us in the fall, and I’m grateful for both.

For me, fall looks like a cozy Saturday morning with my family, a warm cup of coffee, and a little time to enjoy the season before the holiday rush begins.

Heading into the holidays with your books in a good place makes everything feel a little easier. Email me at [email protected]

10/15/2026

One final in-person bookkeeping class series is com

If you’re doing your own bookkeeping but still feel unsure about QuickBooks Online, reconciliations, categorizing transactions, or what your reports are actually telling you, this hands-on series is designed to help.

The In-Person QBO Class is a 3-part series meeting on three Wednesdays:

October 28
November 4
November 11
9:30–11:00 AM

St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center
1091 Sutherland Ave, River Falls, WI

Across the three sessions, you’ll get practical instruction, time to work through the process, and direct support so you can build a bookkeeping routine that makes sense for your business.

This is the final in-person series currently scheduled for 2026, with additional class options being planned.

Visit 3LakesBookkeeping.com/classes to learn more and register.

10/13/2026

If you filed an extension this spring, Thursday, October 15 is the deadline for extended individual returns. There’s no second extension, so this one is final.

If this deadline snuck up on you, it may be time to set up a system that keeps your books tax-ready all year long.

Whether your return is already done or you’re still pulling everything together, staying organized now can make next tax season a whole lot easier.

Need help getting your numbers in order?

Email me at [email protected]

10/09/2026

10/07/2026

How long do you really need to keep your receipts?

It's one of the most common questions we hear from business owners, and it's just the start.

In our classes we also cover the best way to store your receipts, how often to do your bookkeeping and how to pay yourself.

Clear answers now mean fewer headaches at tax time. Join us and learn how to understand your numbers with confidence:
https://www.3lakesbookkeeping.com

10/06/2026

Q4 is officially here, whether we're ready or not. This is exactly the moment to get your books caught up so year-end doesn't turn into a scramble.

A few things worth checking as Q4 kicks off: are your books reconciled through September, do you know your profit for the year so far, and do you have a plan for estimated taxes in January?

If any of those made you wince a little, you're definitely not alone.

I would rather help you fix small gaps now than untangle a bigger mess in December.

Let's get started. Email me at [email protected]

10/01/2026

Want to feel more confident using QuickBooks Online for your business?

My hands-on bookkeeping class gives you time to work in QuickBooks Online and ask questions as you learn. We spend most of the class on practical bookkeeping, then look at what your numbers can tell you: whether revenue is growing, how much profit you’re keeping, and which invoices are still unpaid.

Send me a message to learn about upcoming classes or visit our website at: www.3LakesBookkeeping.com

09/29/2026

Whether you do your own books or work with a bookkeeper, every business owner needs to understand their numbers and have a system they can trust.

That's what the Peace & Profit Collective is for: a practical, hands-on QuickBooks Online bookkeeping and financial education series for small business owners who want to understand their numbers and feel confident in their books, without becoming an accountant.

PEACE in your books. Clean books, a repeatable process, and knowing tax season isn't going to be a disaster.

PROFIT in your business. Understanding your reports, knowing where your money is actually going, and making better decisions because of it.

COLLECTIVE, because you're not doing it alone. It's a community of business owners showing up to get better at this together.

Every session includes 3 monthly group Q&A calls after class, so you've got ongoing support as you put what you learned into practice.

Choose the format that works for you: Fall AM Virtual, Fall PM Virtual, or Fall In-Person in River Falls, WI.

Investment: $175

Register at https://3lakesbookkeeping.com. Spots are limited.