# Shirleys Creations

Site: https://shirleyscreations.co.za/

## Recent posts

- [I Started Saving for Retirement, Even With an Unpredictable Income](https://shirleyscreations.co.za/save-for-retirement-unpredictable-income/): This article details how an individual with an unpredictable self-employment income successfully initiated retirement savings. It explains the strategy of making consistent, manageable contributions instead of delaying due to variable monthly earnings.
- [I Finally Organised My Side Hustle Records and it Changed Everything](https://shirleyscreations.co.za/organise-side-hustle-records/): This article describes the author's process of organizing side hustle financial records. It details the challenges of informal record-keeping, such as using screenshots or faded receipts, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate documentation for tax authorities like SARS to track business income and expenses.
- [Turnover Tax Looks Easy Until Your Tiny Margin Disappears](https://shirleyscreations.co.za/turnover-tax-threatens-small-biz-margins/): This article discusses turnover tax and its impact on small businesses. It explains that while turnover tax offers simplified calculations based solely on sales, it overlooks business expenses such as stock purchases and courier fees. This can significantly reduce or eliminate the profit margins of businesses with high operational costs.
- [My Side Hustle Profit Means I'm a Provisional Taxpayer Now](https://shirleyscreations.co.za/side-hustle-profit-provisional-tax/): This article discusses the transition from casual side hustle income to significant profit that triggers provisional taxpayer status. It explains how unexpected growth in a side business necessitates understanding new tax obligations beyond standard PAYE deductions.
- [My Busy Market Stall Was Losing Money, and I Didn't Know It](https://shirleyscreations.co.za/busy-stall-losing-money/): This article explains how a seemingly successful market stall can be unprofitable. It details the author's experience of realizing their busy stall was losing money due to overlooked operational costs like petrol, stall fees, bags, payment processing, and uncounted labor hours. The content provides insights into calculating true profit for small businesses.
- [That Cheap Company Registration Fee is Not the Whole Story](https://shirleyscreations.co.za/cheap-company-registration-hidden-costs/): This article explains that cheap company registration fees, like the R125 for a Pty Ltd, do not cover the true costs of ongoing administration, tax, and compliance with CIPC and SARS. It advises small business owners to evaluate whether a sole proprietorship or a Pty Ltd is the correct legal structure for their specific operations before registering.
- [The R18 000 Side Hustle Month That Taught Me a Lesson](https://shirleyscreations.co.za/r18000-side-hustle-money-lesson/): This article discusses how side hustle income, when mixed with personal finances, creates a deceptive blur between turnover and profit. It explains the financial lesson learned from an R18000 side hustle month regarding proper money separation.
- [My R500 Sale Taught Me More Than Just Payment Fees](https://shirleyscreations.co.za/small-business-hidden-payment-costs/): This article explains how payment methods, despite low percentage fees, can incur significant hidden costs for businesses. These costs include administrative time for reconciliation, resolving customer payment issues, and delayed access to funds, highlighting the importance of efficient payment processing over just low fees.
- [I Learned a 50% Deposit is Not Rude, It's Essential](https://shirleyscreations.co.za/why-50-percent-deposit-is-essential/): This article asserts that a 50% deposit is essential for businesses taking custom orders. It outlines how this deposit secures client commitment and mitigates financial risks associated with materials and time invested in non-resalable bespoke products like custom cakes or branded goods.
- [The R300 Birthday Cake You Sell Costs R520 to Bake](https://shirleyscreations.co.za/hidden-costs-killing-your-side-hustle/): Article identifies how side hustles often fail to generate profit due to overlooked hidden costs. It details expenses such as time, electricity, packaging, card machine fees, and transport for supplies. Readers will learn to calculate the true cost of their products to ensure profitability.