McAfee's Bookkeeping

05/15/2026

Maine contractors — there's a good chance you overpaid on taxes last year.

Not because you did anything wrong. Not because your tax preparer made a mistake. But because the deductions you were entitled to weren't documented — and undocumented deductions don't get claimed.

Mileage to job sites. Tools and equipment. Subcontractor payments. Home office expenses. Materials purchased for jobs.

All deductible. All commonly missed. All a bookkeeping problem — not a tax problem.

Our latest post breaks down exactly what Maine contractors miss every year and how a simple bookkeeping system fixes it.

Maine contractors miss thousands in deductions every year because expenses aren't tracked. Here's what's going wrong and how better bookkeeping puts that money back in your pocket.

05/13/2026

Networking isn't selling — it's relationship building

I didn't understand this when I started my networking journey. I went in thinking I was there to sell myself and my services — but that's not what networking is at all. It wasn't until I stopped thinking about what I could get out of it and started focusing on the people in the room that things started to click.

Networking is really about meeting people, building real relationships, and genuinely wanting each other to succeed. When people know and trust you, referrals happen naturally — not because you pitched them, but because they genuinely believe you can help someone they care about.

In just a few months I've met so many wonderful business owners that I truly want to see succeed. That part honestly surprised me.

Has networking ever surprised you in a good way? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

05/11/2026

Here's something I hear from Maine service business owners every summer:

"We're booked solid — but the cash just isn't where it should be."

It makes no sense until you look at the books. Then it usually does.

Summer is when expenses spike — fuel, materials, subs, payroll. But payments often come in 30 to 60 days after the work is done. That gap is cash flow timing, and when your books aren't current, you can't see it coming.

You end up making decisions — taking on more work, paying bills, buying equipment — without knowing exactly where you stand.

Clean, up-to-date books fix that. You stop guessing and start planning.

I'm Heather at McAfee's Bookkeeping in Auburn. If summer always feels tighter than it should, I'd love to take a look.

🔗 mcafeesbookkeeping.com │ Free consultation

05/10/2026

If you love bowling check out Just-In-Time Recreation!

From total newbies to seasoned pros - everyone's invited to join the fun, maybe win some mind-blowing prizes and enjoy some bargain Coors drafts every Tuesday and Wednesday from June-September!!

05/08/2026

Whether you run a Maine vacation rental or a contracting business, the financial mistakes are almost always the same.

Busy season looks different for everyone — full calendars for STR hosts, packed job schedules for contractors. But the financial blind spots? Nearly identical.

In our latest blog post we break down the bookkeeping fundamentals every Maine small business owner needs — no matter what industry you're in:

Why busy doesn't mean profitable. Why mixing personal and business finances costs you more than you think. Why cash flow and profit are not the same thing. Why tax season should never be a surprise.

If any of those hit close to home, the post is worth a read.

Whether you run a Maine vacation rental or a contracting business, the financial mistakes are the same. Here are the bookkeeping fundamentals every Maine small business owner needs.

05/07/2026

Does anyone else struggle with finding the right gift for their mom? Mother's Day is just three days away and I still have no idea what to get mine. I want something she'll actually use and love — without adding clutter to her house or just defaulting to candy. What are you getting your moms this year? Your ideas might just save me!🥰

05/07/2026

This event was great!

What an amazing morning at ACTIVATE ✨

A huge thank you to all of our visitors who joined us for our Open Networking Day at the beautiful Hatch Point! We loved getting the chance to connect, learn more about your businesses, and share what makes our BNI chapter so special.

Events like this are such a great reminder of how powerful community, collaboration, and intentional networking can be.

Thank you again to everyone who came out. We hope you left feeling inspired, welcomed, and excited to continue building connections with us!

Interested in visiting an upcoming meeting? We’d love to have you join us Wednesday mornings from 7:30–9:00 AM in Freeport!

05/06/2026

Anyone else hang around the food table at networking events just to avoid standing alone? There I was today, trying not to look like there was a neon sign above my head blinking "INTROVERT"!

Putting yourself out there is hard especially for introverted people, we are not conversation starters, we get uncomfortable walking up to someone new. It’s not that we aren’t friendly or don’t enjoy talking and getting to know people, it’s just hard.

Recently I have started going to more networking events and I’ll tell you it’s still hard but it’s getting easier with each event, plus every event either BNI or Chamber of Commerce there are always wonderful and accepting people who make you feel at ease and that you belong. So if you have been avoiding networking don’t let it make you nervous you just need practice.

Are you a networking introvert? Drop a 🙋 below — I have a feeling I'm not alone in this.

05/04/2026

Every spring, something happens to Maine service businesses.

The phones start ringing. The jobs stack up. The crew gets busy. And somewhere in the middle of all of it — the bookkeeping goes quiet.

Not on purpose. Just because there are only so many hours in the day, and reconciling accounts isn't how most business owners want to spend a Tuesday night in June.

Here's what I've seen happen: by October, the books are months behind. By January, it's a scramble.

I'm Heather McAfee, and I help Maine contractors, landscapers, cleaners, and service businesses get their books caught up — and keep them that way through the busy season, not just before it.

If you know the next few months are going to be full, now is the best time to get the numbers squared away.

Free consultation, no pressure.

📍 Auburn, Maine │ Remote services statewide
🔗 mcafeesbookkeeping.com