Hannah Aster

SEO Team Lead

Hannah is a seasoned writer and editor who started her journey with Shortform nearly five years ago. She grew up reading mostly fiction books but transitioned to non-fiction writing when she started her travel website in 2018. When she's not writing or traveling, you can find Hannah working on home reno projects, crafting, or taking care of plants.

Expertise

Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English and minors in professional and creative writing

How to Manage Your Finances: The Profit First Method

Do you want to learn how to manage your finances? How can you apply the Profit First method to your personal finances? The Profit First method was created by entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz to help businesses succeed in the long term. However, the three principles of the Profit First method can be applied to your personal finances to help you get out of debt and save money. Keep reading to learn how to manage your finances and increase your financial stability by following Mike Michalowicz’s Profit First method.

How to Get Out of Business Debt: 3 Steps to Freedom

How common is business debt? What are some things you can do to reduce your company’s debt burden? Studies show that 79 percent of all U.S. small and medium companies are in debt, and that 58 percent of all U.S. small and medium companies are over $50,000 in debt. According to Mike Michalowicz, the author of Profit First, pulling out of debt begins with ruthlessly cutting your expenses. Here’s how to get out of business debt in three steps, according to Michalowicz.

Implementing the Profit First System: Common Mistakes

What is the Profit First system? How can implementing the Profit First accounting system help you improve your business’s bottom line? The Profit First system is entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz’s solution to replace traditional business accounting. Implemented properly, the Profit First system should lead your business to long-term success. However, Michalowicz notes that there are some common misunderstandings entrepreneurs have about the system, which can lead to mistakes in financial decision-making. In this article, we’ll explain the three most common mistakes entrepreneurs make when using the Profit First system, the misunderstandings that cause them, and ways you can avoid making these

How to Find Your Ideal Small Business Tax Percentage

Do you own a small business? How can you determine your small business tax percentage? In his book Profit First, Mike Michalowicz provides three methods for determining your ideal tax percentage as a small business owner. The tax percentage should not only cover your business taxes but your personal taxes as well. Here’s an overview of the three methods.

What Is the Profit First Method? Definition & Overview

What is the Profit First method? In what way is the Profit First accounting system superior to traditional methods? Mike Michalowicz, a business makeover specialist and entrepreneur, believes that traditional accounting methods often fail in the long term because they prioritize the wrong things. The Profit First method is Michalowicz’s alternative to traditional business accounting. In this article, we’ll explore the main principles of traditional accounting, Michalowicz’s argument for why they don’t work, and the main tenets of his Profit First accounting method.

Cost-Cutting in Business: 4 Failproof Methods

Are you looking to cut down on your business expenses? How do you determine what your business needs and what can be cut? When it comes to cost-cutting in business, it should never be done at the expense of your crucial functions. Before you cut costs, identify resources you couldn’t do without and cut only what you don’t need. Here’s how to lower your business expenses.

How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner

How much of your company’s monthly profit should go into your salary? How much should you reinvest back into the business? As a business owner or entrepreneur, it’s difficult to know how much of your profits you should keep for yourself and how much should be reinvested into the business. Some owners splurge and go overboard while others pay company expenses with their income. Here’s how to pay yourself as a business owner, according to Mike Michalowicz.

Shortform Reads: The Power of a Fantasy Novel

What book did Eric change his opinion about after reading? Why does Eric think fantasy is such a powerful genre? Eric is a book guide writer for Shortform. You’ve probably come across some of his well-crafted guides on the website. He was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, is an animal lover, an environmentalist, and an avid gamer.

Stumbling on Happiness: Quotes From Daniel Gilbert

Are you looking for Stumbling on Happiness quotes? How can these quotes make you think differently about happiness? In Stumbling on Happiness, Harvard psychology professor Daniel Gilbert points out that our imaginations, memories, and perceptions of the present are highly subjective and inaccurate. When we make choices about our futures based on this inaccurate information, those choices end up hindering our future happiness. Here are some of the best Stumbling on Happiness quotes with explanations.

Stumbling on Happiness: Review & Critical Analysis

Are you considering reading Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert? How was the book received by the public and critics? If you’re looking for a how-to guide on happiness, look elsewhere. In Stumbling on Happiness, Harvard psychology professor Daniel Gilbert shows how, despite our best efforts, we often fail to make choices that maximize our future happiness. It seems that we more often stumble on happiness than successfully create it. Here’s our Stumbling on Happiness review.