How do you track your sales and do record keeping?

[chiquita]

Hey all,
I have tried the free microsoft accounting program and it was way too big for what I need and not user friendly. For now I just make up my own excel spreadsheets, which is OK for my sales which are small. I keep inventory that way too. However I feel like I need a better system. What are you all using, and what is working for you.

 

[The Bar Keep]

I just use the Zen sales report Mod and cross reference that to my suppliers invoice. I also use an excel sheet to manage my in stock inventory. The good thing about excel is you can manipulate the colums to do just about anything you want them to, AKA profit/loss.

[bbhc]

Stone Edge and Peachtree Premium.

[2boysandtoys]

Excel ... all the way  --- I've got my inventory separate from my 'bookkeeping' with the common denominator as the 'item name'.  Item # wasn't working (since I list on various sites) but the item name does 'well' for me.

Of course, I've got thousands of items not yet listed - am about ready to set aside my 'record-keeping' to get the stuff listed and out the door.... 

My efforts are very 'manual' and automation would be nice - however....not a reality unless/until I solidify my business model to one/two solutions!! 

[The Tavern Wench]

I do everything in my Zen Carts and in my head.  Needless to say, I need a better system. 

I'm clueless when it comes to Excel, but I guess I need to learn. 
Any volunteers? 

[2boysandtoys]

Deb - one 'good thing' about Microsoft is if you know one of their products, you can 'muddle' thru many others.  Excel is no exception to this rule - you just have to face it - and see it for what it is - a spreadsheet program with accounting, finance, data, sorting, etc. functionality.

Are ya familiar with any of the MS tools?  Tell me which and I'll see if I can get ya started.  If you're older (like me), you also might (or might not) have experience with Lotus123 (aging myself....I know)...it's functionality is similar to 'that' tool.

Shout back - so I know what you do (or do not) know!!!