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The delay preserves a lifeline for competing bidder United Wholesale Mortgage, which previously reached an agreement to acquire the servicer last year. View the full article

CEO Sundar Pichai says new Gemini model closes gap with Anthropic and OpenAIView the full article

Google also announced some new agentic commerce features today in Google Search including Universal Cart, expanding Universal Commerce Protocol and Agent Payments Protocol (AP2). Plus, Google’s Shopping Graph now contains 60 billion product listings, which is up from 50 billion from earlier this year, announced Vidhya Srinivasan, VP/GM Ads & Commerce. Universal Cart. Google announced what it is calling the Universal Cart, where you can put products and items from multiple retailers into one single Google Universal Cart and check out on all those items with your Google Wallet with the click of a button. As you are on Google Search, you can add items directly to your Google Universal Cart without having to go to a specific retailer’s website. This will work across Google Search, Gemini, YouTube and Gmail, so just keep throwing items in your cart – across Google interface and retailer and the cart will maintain your list. Here is a screenshot of Universal Cart showing multiple retailers: Google will find the best prices and deals, including which retailer has it in stock and let you check out with your preferred retailer. Plus, Google said Universal Cart will “anticipate your needs and help solve problems before they.” Google’s example: “Say you’re building your first custom PC and add a few parts from several retailers to your cart. Your cart will proactively flag any product incompatibilities and suggest alternatives. Since the cart was built on Google Wallet, it understands your payment method perks, loyalty information and merchant offers to help you choose. This lets you quickly find opportunities for hidden savings or points without having to remember them yourself.” Merchants. Google listed a number of merchants that support this, including Nike, Sephora, Target, Ulta Beauty, Walmart, Wayfair, and Shopify merchants such as Fenty and Steve Madden. Availability. This is available in Google Search and the Gemini app in the U.S. starting this summer and with YouTube and Gmail later on. UCP and AP2. Google expanded the Universal Commerce Protocol on Google to Canada and Australia in the coming months and in the U.K. later on. UCP will also be coming to YouTube and more Google verticals including hotel booking and local food delivery. Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) helps agents make payments for you, securely and with accountability, Google said. “Just tell your agent the specific brands and products you want and how much it can spend, and the agent only makes the purchase when your criteria are met,” Google explained. Google will launch AP2 to Google products in the coming months, starting with Gemini Spark. View the full article

Google is now letting searchers build their own apps directly into Google Search. This enables searchers to set up a search feature that delivers the information they need, in the format they want, from the sources they want. Liz Reid, the head of Google Search, announced at Google I/O, “Search can build the ideal response, in the right format for your question – completely on the fly. So you can get custom generative Ul, including visual tools and simulations, tailored precisely to your needs.” Examples. Here are a few examples of what you can code yourself into Google Search: (1) Whether you want to wrap your mind around astrophysics or visualize how your watch works, Search can design custom layouts, assembling components (like interactive visuals, tables, graphs or simulations) in real-time, Google wrote. (2) Ongoing tasks widgets, like planning a wedding or managing a home move. Search can go a step further, building you custom dashboards or trackers that you can continue to come back to and make progress on. You can think of these like mini apps for your own specific tasks, Liz Reid explained. (3) Fitness tracker in Search, where you can ask Google Search to build you a custom fitness tracker. Search will code it for you, tapping into fresh, real-time sources including reviews, live maps and local data like the weather, so you get a tracker that works for you, helping you stay on track week after week. What it looks like. Here are some examples of what this looks like in Google Seaerch. Generative UI example: Custom tracker example: Availability. The generative Ul capabilities will be available for everyone in Search this summer, free of charge. The custom experiences with Antigravity, like mini apps, right in Search in the coming months, starting first for Google Al Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S. Why we care. Google Search will not just answer your questions but you can code your own mini apps within Google Search to give you the answers you want, in the format and style you want. This is really a unique way for search and likely can only be done with generative-AI features and tooling. View the full article

Google also announced new search agents, including information agents and new agentic capabilities within Google Search. The information agent will continue to scan the web to find and monitor changes to your tasks and help you along your tasks journey. “We’re entering the era of Search agents, where you can easily create, customize and manage multiple Al agents for your many tasks, right in Search,” Liz Reid, the head of Google Search said. Information agents. The information agents will help you stay on top of your questions and tasks. Google said the agent will “intelligently look across everything on the web, like blogs, news sites and social posts, plus our freshest data, such as real-time info on finance, shopping and sports, to monitor for changes related to your specific question.” The information agent will then send you “an intelligent, synthesized update, with the ability to take action.” The example. Here is the example Google provided: “So if you’re apartment hunting, you can brain dump all of the exact requirements you’re looking for, and your agent will continuously scan for you, notifying you when listings meet your needs. Or if you want to know the instant any of your favorite pro athletes announce a sneaker collab, your agent will let you know when a new drop lands so you don’t miss out.” Availability. This will first roll out in the summer to Google Al Pro & Ultra subscribers. Agentic experiences. Google is also expanding its agentic booking capabilities in Google Search to handle new tasks including things like local experiences and services. So if you want to find a place that has a private karaoke room for a specific time and night, that also serves specific food, you can use Google Search to book that place for you. Google will pull together the latest pricing and availability with direct links for your to purchase it. This works across home, repair, beauty or pet care and will roll out this summer in the U.S. Personal intelligence expanding. Google also announced it is expanding Personal Intelligence in AI Mode to about 200 countries and territories and 98 languages. View the full article

Google announced its latest and greatest AI model, Gemini 3.5 Flash today at Google I/O. Google’s head of Search, Liz Reid, said Gemini 3.5 Flash is Google’s “newest Flash model delivering sustained frontier performance for agents and coding.” She added that is now being used to power AI Mode globally. Gemini 3.5 Flash. Not only is Gemini 3.5 Flash powering AI Mode in Google Search, but it is also powering the Gemini app, for all users, not just paid users. For developers, 3.5 Flash is now live in Google Antigravity, Gemini API for Google AI Studio and Android Studio and for enterprise users for Enterprise Agent Platform and Gemini Enterprise. Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO of Google DeepMind and Chief AI Architect, said: “Gemini 3.5 Flash delivers intelligence that rivals large flagship models on multiple dimensions, at the speeds you have come to expect from the Flash series.” “It’s our strongest agentic and coding model yet, outperforming Gemini 3.1 Pro on challenging coding and agentic benchmarks like Terminal-Bench 2.1 (76.2%), GDPval-AA (1656 Elo) and MCP Atlas (83.6%), and leading in multimodal understanding (84.2% on CharXiv Reasoning).” “When looking at output tokens per second, it is 4 times faster than other frontier models. Landing in the top-right quadrant of the Artificial Analysis index, 3.5 Flash delivers frontier-level intelligence at exceptional speed — proving you no longer have to trade quality for latency.” Why we care. Gemini 3.5 is already powering Google Search’s AI Mode and is likely soon to power AI Overviews. It is a step up from the previous AI model and will continue to get smarter and more useful. It is important for you to see how the AI Mode responses differ from the previous model for the queries and prompts that matter to your site. Search is changing rapidly and you need to stay on top of these changes. View the full article

Google unveiled the biggest change to its search box in 25 years. It is calling the new search box the “Intelligent Search box.” The new search box aims to bring easier access to the AI search features in Google Search to Google’s users. And yes, this is all powered by the latest Gemini release, Gemini 3.5 Flash. What it looks like. Google redesigned this search box to give searchers more space to ask longer, deeper queries. The search box will continue to expand as the user enters the query or prompt. There is an AI-powered suggestion that Google’s Head of Search, Liz Reid, said “goes beyond autocomplete.” Plus, you can search with text, images, files, videos or your Chrome tabs. Here is what the new intelligent search box looks like: This puts Google’s “most powerful AI tools right at your fingertips, making it easier to ask your questions,” Liz Reid of Google said. Seamless Google Search to AI Mode. Google also said it made the AI Overviews seamless link approach to AI Mode live today globally both on desktop and mobile. This is something that launched to many back in January but is now fully live. Here is how this works: Why we care. The Google Search box looks and feels different and that might be a big deal to how it leads to how users search on Google. It might impact the type of search traffic Google has been sending you and will send you in the future. It might lead to more people jumping to AI Mode sooner from Google Search and it might lead to more AI Overviews with deeper answers. It might lead to fewer clicks to your web site than before. Change is not always easy, but it is inevitable, especially when it comes to Google Search. Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO told us that the extraordinary thing about Search is how people search and expect more from Google Search. Search is evolving, from individual queries to ongoing conversations and now to agentic workflows. Search is the most used product in the world, Sundar said and Google will evolve super hard to stay a step ahead of where our users want to be. View the full article

Google Workspace is getting a slew of AI-related updates, including a brand new app called Google Pics, which can generate and edit images for you. Many of these updates will be available to those who use Gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive, and other Google Workspace apps, the company announced during the Google I/O 2026 keynote. This includes conversational features that will allow you to control Gmail, Docs, and Keep; a new AI inbox that aims to help you stay on top of your email; and a personal AI agent called Gemini Spark that can integrate with Google Workspace apps to get things done for you. Here are all the major Google Workspace updates unveiled during Google I/O 2026. These features are rolling out for Google AI subscribers and paying Google Workspace users. This means that you won't be able to try much if you're on the free tier of Google services. Create and edit images with AI in Google PicsGoogle Pics is a new app built with the company's latest Nano Banana AI image generation model, and allows you to create and edit photos using AI. Google claims this tool makes useful image editing tools more accessible, highlighting examples such as modifying and translating text, as well as transforming specific elements in an image (e.g., changing a sweater's color or turning a dog into a cat). You can also generate an image with a text prompt, but the real highlight seems to be granular editing. Like every other AI-related image generation tool, Google Pics also raises ethical questions about the nature of an image. It's not hard to imagine how tools like these could be misused to manipulate and deceive. One can only hope that Google has guardrails in place to clearly identify images edited with Google Pics, and to prevent misuse. This app is available to "Trusted Testers" today, and will be rolling out globally to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers (and in preview to Google Workspace business users) this summer. Enhanced conversational capabilities in Gmail, Docs, and KeepGoogle is adding new voice features to Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Keep. The email service is getting a feature called Gmail Live, which will search your inbox to answer your questions. For instance, you could ask something like, "What's going on at my kid's school this week?" The service will then search your inbox and find all the emails from your child's school. The idea is to ask questions with natural language, which is what makes it "conversational." The next new feature is Docs Live, which acts as your partner and co-writer, according to Google. You can talk to Docs Live, and it will help you brainstorm ideas, organize your thoughts, and structure your document. Google says the feature can even pull information from Gmail, Google Drive, Google Chat, and the web with your permission. You can think of Docs Live as an outlining tool that can gather a bunch of information quickly, making the writing process quicker for those who struggle to get started with a blank document. For Google Keep users, the new conversational features can turn your "brain dump" into organized notes and lists. You can say everything you want noted down, and the AI assistant will do the sorting and organizing for you. Like Google Pics, all of these conversational features will be rolling out to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers (and in preview to Google Workspace business users) this summer. New features in Gmail's AI InboxGmail's AI Inbox, which offers AI-powered summaries, suggestions, and proofreading, is getting a few new tricks too. During I/O 2026, Google announced that AI Inbox will get personalized draft replies, instant file access, and streamlined task management. AI Inbox will be able to generate a contextual draft for you when it detects that an email requires an urgent response, the company claims. With instant file access, AI Inbox can find and display a link to a document from Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides when you need it, which could make it easier to find the right document in email threads. The feature also lets you mark all emails in a certain topic as read. These features will be available to Google AI Plus and Pro subscribers in the U.S. starting today. A new personal AI agent: Gemini SparkThe final Workspace-related update today is a new AI agent called Gemini Spark. The company says Spark transforms Gemini from an assistant that answers your questions to one that gets things done with your permission. Once you enable this feature, Google says Gemini Spark can perform tasks such as sending emails on your behalf, and adding events to your calendar. The company adds that it will always ask your permission before performing these actions. Gemini Spark will be rolling out to Google Workspace business users in the coming week, and it'll be available through the Gemini app. View the full article

Google's Gemini app is getting an overhaul, in terms of both design and function. At Google I/O 2026, the company announced Gemini is getting upgraded models that will lean more into agentic AI capabilities, which allow the assistant to send emails, add calendar events, and perform other actions on your behalf. (Google does emphasize that all agentic capabilities are designed to be used under your supervision, which hopefully allays fears of the agent going rogue and, I don't know, draining your bank accounts.) Here's is everything Google announced about Gemini's app upgrades during this year's event. Gemini has a new lookGoogle says it has revamped the design language for the Gemini app. The company calls it Neural Expressive, and it includes new animations, colors, typography, and refreshed haptic feedback. Another change: The Gemini Live conversational experience is now integrated into the Gemini app. This means you can easily switch from typing your questions to using your voice to talk to the AI. There are also changes to the voice chat mode, allowing you to tap and talk to Gemini at your own pace. This prevents unwanted interruptions and doesn't force you to keep speaking at a certain speed if you need more time to frame your thoughts, according to Google. You'll soon also have an option to ask Gemini to speak in regional dialects, which can offer a more personalized experience to some people. I think the best part of Neural Expressive design is Google's focus on making interacting with Gemini look like something more than a wall of text. The company claims Gemini will now show responses with images, interactive timelines, narrated videos, and dynamic graphics, instead of just huge blocks of text. This new design language is rolling out today and will be available on the web, Android, and iOS. Turn Gemini into a personal AI agent with SparkGemini Spark marks Google's big play on agentic AI services. It transforms Gemini from a simple word generator into an assistant that can take actions for you. This feature works even if you've switched off your laptop or phone, and it can continue to work independently based on your requirements. Some examples Google shared during I/O 2026 include the ability to set recurring tasks or triggers, such as scanning your credit card bills to flag new or hidden subscription fees, go through your meeting notes to create a "polished" document in Google Docs with a summary of its findings, and drafting a companion email to kickstart a project. Google says you'll also be able to teach Gemini Spark to pick up on deadlines for school projects and share them with your spouse, which could allow you to keep a tab on your child's schoolwork without actively monitoring their inbox every day. It's worth noting that Google's repeatedly emphasized the fact that Spark works on your commands. You'll have to choose which apps it can connect to, and it'll only take high-stakes actions with your explicit consent, whether that's spending money or sending an email. Gemini Spark is rolling out to Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. next week, but it will be available to "Trusted Testers" this week. Google also said that Gemini Spark will is coming to the Gemini app for macOS later this summer, allowing you to automate workflows involving local files on your computer. Daily Brief creates a personalized morning digest for youGemini is getting a new morning digest feature called Daily Brief, which works only if you opt in to receive it. The service accesses your Gmail inbox and your calendar to give you an overview of what's ahead in your day. Google says this feature will prioritize your tasks based on your goals, and suggest the next steps you should take to tackle upcoming tasks. You'll have the ability to tune the AI service's feedback by giving it a quick thumbs up or down in the app. The Daily Brief feature is rolling out in the U.S. starting today, and it'll be available to Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers. Turn ideas into cinematic videos with OmniIn a move to fill the void left by OpenAI's shuttering of Sora, Google is launching Gemini Omni, which allows you to combine text, images, and video inputs to generate videos. The company claims Omni makes it easy to edit videos using conversational inputs, such as swapping out backgrounds or applying cinematic zoom effects. You'll be able to upload footage from your camera roll and use Omni to apply built-in templates to create videos quickly without needing editing software expertise. There's also an option to create a custom AI avatar that looks and sounds just like you, and drop this avatar in your videos. This feature does suggest a few ethical concerns, since it sounds like it would make it easy for a person with malicious intent to generate deepfakes. While it's nice to see that video editing is becoming more accessible, generating videos with real people's faces is in a grey area, and I hope that Google has strong guardrails in place to safeguard against abuse. Gemini Omni is rolling out starting today to Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers across the globe. View the full article

There are a flurry of AI-related announcements coming out of Google I/O 2026 today, but perhaps the most impressive is a new multimodal model called Gemini Omni. While it's launching as a video generator to begin with, it'll eventually be able to incorporate images and audio too, on both the input and output side. The idea is you can remix different audio, images, and video into a completely new clip, via a custom prompt. Right now, you can only generate videos from text prompts and images within Gemini, so you're getting the added ability to combine audio clips and existing videos too when generating something new—multiple sources for input, and then an output that Google promises is better than ever in terms of realism and accuracy. While image and audio generation is on the way, the ability to create videos is coming first, with a model called Gemini Omni Flash. The example Google gives is picking a few styles from images in your phone's gallery, and then applying them to an existing video: So if you wanted to, you could make a video of you in the real world look like a Pixar animation. Omni lets you combine videos, images, and audio into new clips. Credit: Google You can also edit your videos through "conversation," says Google. That conversation aspect will be familiar to anyone who already uses Gemini to make videos: You just explain what it is you want to see, and Omni takes care of it. You can use follow-up prompts to change something specific about the video, like an object or color, or to create your very own reshoots of the scene where the action changes. You can also change the angle or the environment of a video—transporting yourself from a bedroom to a beach scene, perhaps. Google says you can take multiple turns to refine your videos, while still being able to get back to the original clip. Gemini's world knowledgeGoogle says Gemini Omni uses "an intuitive understanding of physics" together with "Gemini's knowledge of history, science, and cultural context" to make videos as realistic and as consistent as possible—though I'll have to try this out for myself to see if this all works as well as Google says it will. Omni now comes with a better understanding of forces like gravity, kinetic energy, and fluid dynamics, so there should be less AI weirdness on show. As well as building scenes, Google says, Gemini Omni reasons about what should happen next. AI videos can often collapse because they're trying to follow patterns from the vast number of videos in their training data, rather than follow the laws of physics. If a person disappears off-camera, they won't necessarily still be there when the camera pans back. Google claims Gemini Omni will show fewer issues like this. You'll need to be signed up for a Google AI subscription to use Omni. Credit: Google To protect against deepfakes, Google is putting some limits on video creation. For now, you'll only be able to use your own voice and a digital avatar based on you to generate outputs. In addition, all videos will carry Google's invisible SynthID watermark that indicates the content is AI-generated. Gemini Omni Flash is rolling out now in the Gemini app and Google Flow, for Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers. It's also going to be available for free in YouTube Shorts and the YouTube Create app later this week. At the time of writing, there's no word on usage limits. At the moment, those on a Google AI Plus plan ($7.99 a month) can generate two videos a day using the Veo 3.1 Lite model. It remains to be seen how generous Google is with Gemini Omni generations—it looks like they take up a fair amount of AI processing power. View the full article

Among the many AI-powered features announced today at Google I/O 2026 is a new "intelligent shopping cart" designed to help you find items faster and make purchasing more seamless. Universal Cart is an agentic hub that works across Google, so you can add products from multiple merchants while using Search, Gemini, YouTube, and Gmail to a single shopping cart. How Google's new Universal Cart worksOnce you add an item to your Universal Cart, Gemini will search for deals, show pricing history, and alert you to price drops and restocks. It can suggest other products relevant to your purchase, identify potential problems (such as items that are incompatible), and provide alternatives. For example, if you're buying parts to build a PC, Universal Cart may warn you if one component isn't compatible with another. Universal Cart integrates with Google Wallet, so it will also consider loyalty points, merchant offers, and rewards programs to look for additional savings. Finally, you can complete your purchase from your cart with Google Pay or transfer saved items to the retailer's website. These checkout features will be integrated for merchants like Nike, Sephora, Target, Ulta, Walmart, Wayfair, and Shopify merchants. Universal Cart builds on existing AI shopping features from Google, like price tracking and agentic checkout, powered by the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP). Google says the feature runs on its Gemini models, so Universal Cart should continue to improve as the company upgrades its AI over time. When is Universal Cart coming out? Universal Cart is rolling out to Search and the Gemini app this summer (in the U.S.) and will eventually integrate with YouTube and Gmail. Google is also expanding agentic checkout features to users in Canada, Australia, and the U.K. as well as to YouTube in the U.S. and services like hotel booking and food delivery. View the full article

The chat log era of artificial intelligence is coming to an end. Google has just released a new version of its AI assistant, Gemini, that radically rethinks the prompt-and-response interface that has been a mainstay of the first few years of widely available generative AI. Instead of users typing in questions or prompts and getting back detailed written answers—”the giant wall of text,” as Gemini’s UI/UX lead Jenny Blackburn puts it—Gemini will now respond with a wider variety of content, from rich visuals to interactive elements to magazine-like graphic layouts. Depending on the prompt or query, Gemini will organically respond with the most appropriate level of detail in the display format that makes the most contextual sense. “It stops feeling like you’re scrolling through this endless chat log and more like the interface is organically adapting around the information that’s being generated,” says Blackburn. Announced at Google’s annual developer conference, Google I/O, the redesign of Gemini is a major shakeup of the user interface of mass market AI. With an estimated 900 million monthly users, Gemini is one of the main ways most people interact with AI firsthand. Until now, those interactions have been limited by the parameters of the chat format, a sometimes clunky conversation that can require asking and re-asking a question to get an AI to return a useful nugget of non-hallucinated information. The new Gemini app and desktop experience was designed around adaptability, with more intuitive controls and features, more ways of injecting information or collateral detail into a prompt, and more nimble responses. “We think that as this technology becomes more capable, the interface should actually get simpler,” Blackburn says. “Instead of you as a user having to learn and adapt to the software, which has been how software has been forever, we really see a future where the software adapts to the user and takes into account their specific needs.” Blackburn and her team drew on a depth of user data and feedback to guide their interventions. One prominent request from users was to be able to toggle more easily between input modes, switching from typing a query to speaking to uploading documents or reference images. “Multimodality matters a lot,” says Blackburn. “We see, particularly on phones, people use their camera a lot to give context to Gemini. They also really like to switch between voice and typing. And they were telling us you need to make this easier.” The redesigned Gemini streamlines the typing interface by displaying only the text box and the keyboard during written prompting, and has a separate menu with a simple grid of icons to choose other forms of input. Blackburn says the redesign of Gemini was a chance to reframe the AI experience, offering not just a superficial gloss but a more thoughtful design scaffold undergirding the entire process of prompting and receiving a response. She and her team developed a visual concept for the new Gemini that references the atomic-level movement of energy, and simple interconnected units that work together as a system. “This is a subtle nod to what’s happening behind the glass. And it’s intended to capture the fluid momentum of the model as it’s processing data,” she says. They named the resulting design language Neural Expressive. “We wanted to create the feeling of seeing neurons fire,” she says. This shows up in various ways, from the procedurally created animated background on the main query screen to the motion in the menu when the system is listening to a query or processing information. The design language also governs how Gemini’s responses get displayed in that text-wall-busting visual layout, giving information a hierarchy and organizing it in ways that make processing large amounts of information easier. For a typical query, a simple, overarching answer is displayed at the top of the page, with additional information presented in digestible layouts like chunks of text broken up by embedded images or videos, and offset bullet points summarizing key takeaways. “Every single change we made was really engineered to make it more scannable, reduce the fatigue of reading, and really make it easy and effortless to deep-dive into the content,” Blackburn says. On the imagery side, some of what Gemini will display to users will be real images, like photos of actual products in response to a shopping query. Other times, like when a diagram would do a better job than text in explaining a scientific concept, the images will be created on the fly using Google’s Nano Banana AI image generator. Blackburn says this added functionality within Gemini works without bloating the system, or taking extra time to field a query. “The way I thought about that was this can’t be slower. If people have to wait, that’s a really hard trade-off,” she says. “We did a lot of rigorous testing to make sure that these responses are not slower because they have these new attributes in them.” The Gemini redesign is so dramatically different from the typical AI interface that it may set a new standard. At the least, it will make Gemini a less rigid AI tool for its many users. “It’s not just a cosmetic refresh. It really is sort of like a deep reimagining of the experience,” Blackburn says. “As responses become a lot more tailored to what the user needs, that’s going to change how they use the product.” View the full article

When Google’s Nano Banana image-generation tool first appeared in the wild in summer 2025, it quickly captured the internet’s attention for its ability to edit existing photos. The company also boasts one of the industry’s leading video models and has gained significant traction in AI media generation. Just this week, Google announced that users have generated more than 50 billion images with Nano Banana to date. However, like the rest of the industry, a lot of it is still fly-by use. People ask Google’s Gemini app to generate an image or short video clip and then move on. “These tools started as something you put a prompt into and then get an output out of, like a coin-operated [machine],” says Google Labs VP Elias Roman. Now Google wants to use its media-generation chops to build products that artists, filmmakers, and other professionals turn to over and over again, throughout the entire creative process. “We’re really building a new Google product line that’s entirely dedicated to creativity,” Roman says. Turning Google’s Flow tool into a media solution At the heart of these efforts is Flow, an online video-generation tool built by Google Labs that the company unveiled at its 2025 developer conference. Previously, Flow could generate images and 8-second video clips from text prompts. At this week’s Google I/O, the company unveiled an update to Flow aimed at going beyond generating individual assets. Users can now chat with an AI agent to brainstorm and storyboard projects, develop scenes and character art, and ultimately generate videos. For video generation, Flow uses Google’s new Gemini Omni model, which brings Nano Banana-style editing capabilities to the medium. Throughout these projects, Flow aims not only to keep characters consistent but also to maintain other stylistic guidelines. One example: Flow can preserve the same camera lens look across every shot, without users having to specify it in every prompt. “Flow is evolving from this prompt-in, content-out tool to an agent that’s a copilot at every step of the creative process,” Roman says. To support that vision, Roman says Google is allowing users to customize the platform itself, letting “creators basically vibe-code any tool or workflow they want.” Chatting with the platform’s AI agent, creatives can build tools that add video filters, compare two generated versions of a clip to spot differences, and more. “Once you make a tool, it’s shareable and even remixable by anyone else on the platform if you choose to make it public,” Roman says. Turning Flow into more than a toy for filmmakers At this point, Flow remains a Google Labs project. Turning it into a full-fledged product capable of competing with creative industry leaders like Adobe won’t be easy. But a shift in how the company positions Flow suggests Google is serious about trying. When Flow debuted last year, Google partnered with Donald Glover to promote the tool, giving it the feel of a playground for Hollywood insiders eager to experiment with AI. “We had an overly limited view of that,” Roman admits. “A year ago, we really thought it was for filmmakers.” But once the company released Flow, it saw marketers, architects, and even kindergarten teachers using it, many of whom likely don’t consider themselves the target audience for traditional creative suites aimed at media professionals. Given the right tools, though, they may become creators in their own right. “What we didn’t appreciate,” Roman says, “was that with truly AI-native tools, you’re able to serve an incredibly wide audience.” View the full article

Meta and Ray-Ban are finally getting some serious competition. Warby Parker is launching its first-ever smart glasses, developed with Google and Samsung. Announced Tuesday at Google I/O, it could change the wearables market. Its new Intelligent Eyewear frames have speakers, cameras, and access to AI inside a light, flexible, dark green nylon frame that will be available as sunglasses and regular glasses. The glasses are powered by Google Gemini, the company’s AI assistant; and Android XR, Google’s unified operating system for ‘XR’ (extended reality) headsets and glasses. Warby Parker declined to share pricing, however Meta Ray-bans currently run from $390 to almost $500 (some models are on sale). The glasses represent Warby Parker’s entry into wearable tech, which is a category experiencing serious growth. Smart glasses could reach revenues of $4.2 billion by 2028, according to Bank of America, up from less than $500 million in 2024. For its part, Google has been looking to break into the category for years. It first launched Google Glass back in 2013. More recently, it launched its first Android XR headset last fall, which Gizmodo called “the future of wearables,” and tech blog CNET described as “Like Apple Vision Pro for half the price.“ Now it’s bringing XR mainstream with a glasses form factor designed by Warby Parker and honed for everyday use. “XR is going to be the next frontier for Gemini, and for AI,” Shahram Izadi, Google’s VP and GM for Android XR, told CNET nearly a year ago. Now we know how they plan to take a big piece of it from Meta, which has dominated the category since the launch of its smart Ray-Bans in 2023. Beyond simple diversity of choice, Gilboa thinks smart glasses could broadly change the way wearers interact with their smartphones by allowing them to take calls, send texts and emails, or check their calendars all without taking their phones out of their pockets. He says some people in the Warby Parker office have used prototypes of the glasses for live instructions on how to make a balloon animal. He’s used them for help in installing a car seat. Gilboa says his smartphone screen time dropped by more than half after wearing a pair of the company’s first smart glasses. “I got an alert from my phone that my screen time was down 60% the other day, which was pretty shocking,” he tells Fast Company. The technology isn’t without its detractors, however, because of wider backlash to AI and privacy concerns around facial recognition and what the glasses can secretly record. “If you look at most technology that’s been introduced over the last 20-plus years, it’s designed to take your attention away from the real-world surroundings and onto a screen,” he says. “I think that this is a fundamentally new category of products.” Warby Parker worked hand-in-glove with Google and Samsung to design the glasses, which are the result of thousands of tiny decisions, like shaving fractions of millimeters off frames and what shape to make the battery, he says. The semi-translucent finish of the interior temple subtly shows where the technology is integrated into the glasses. The frames were designed to be light enough for all-day wear. “We joke that glasses are the original wearable technology going back hundreds of years,” Gilboa says. “They serve a form and function and provide a really compelling utility in helping enable a wearer to see. The whole idea behind Intelligent Eyewear is to have all the best parts of glasses—enable enhanced vision, comfort—while enabling the wearer to express themselves, while also adding additional technology.” The debut style will be a classic, rounded silhouette that the company says will launch this fall. “We think our initial collection will be very well received,” he says. View the full article

If you run a small business, effective bookkeeping is vital for your financial health. Utilizing the right templates can simplify your processes and improve your management capabilities. From tracking cash flow with a Cash Book Template to managing vendor payments through an Accounts Payable Template, these tools provide structure and clarity. You’ll additionally find invoicing and expense monitoring templates fundamental for day-to-day operations. Curious about how these templates can particularly benefit your business? Key Takeaways Utilize a Cash Book Template for efficient tracking of both debit and credit transactions, ensuring accurate financial management. Implement a Billing Invoice Template to simplify invoicing processes and maintain organized records for better transaction oversight. Use an Accounts Receivable Template to track customer payments and outstanding invoices, enhancing financial oversight and cash flow management. Adopt an Inventory Tracking Template to monitor inventory levels and costs, providing clear insights into stock management. Leverage a Balance Sheet Template to gain a comprehensive view of your business’s financial position, aiding in financial assessment and decision-making. Cash Book Template The Cash Book Template is an important tool for small business owners looking to manage their finances efficiently. This double-column format allows you to record and track both debit and credit transactions, ensuring thorough documentation of cash movements. You’ll find key entries like the date, description, and amount for each transaction, which helps maintain accuracy. The template automatically calculates subtotals and your total cash balance, giving you an up-to-date overview of your financial status. You can easily download the Cash Book Template in Microsoft Excel, making it accessible for customization and regular use. By incorporating this template into your bookkeeping practices, you improve your cash management efficiency. It serves as a foundational tool for managing cash flow, allowing you to create sample cash flow projections in Excel. Furthermore, using an Excel template cash flow forecast can aid in making informed financial decisions, finally supporting your business’s growth and sustainability. Balance Sheet Template When you create a balance sheet template, you’ll gain a clear view of your business’s financial position, showcasing key components like assets, liabilities, and equity. Comprehending the importance of financial ratios is essential, as they provide insights into your company’s financial health and performance. Furthermore, the customization options allow you to tailor the template to your specific needs, ensuring that it accurately reflects your unique financial situation. Key Components Explained Grasping the key components of a Balance Sheet Template is crucial for gaining insights into a business’s financial health. This template provides a thorough snapshot of your assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time. You can easily edit line items for current and long-term assets and liabilities based on your business needs. Here’s a quick overview of the components: Component Description Example Assets Resources owned by the business Cash, Inventory Liabilities Obligations owed to others Loans, Accounts Payable Equity Owner’s claim after liabilities Retained Earnings Balance Sheet Templates make financial assessments straightforward and are available for download in Microsoft Excel and Smartsheet. Importance of Financial Ratios Grasping the importance of financial ratios derived from your Balance Sheet Template is essential for effective business management. These ratios, such as the current ratio, help you assess liquidity, solvency, and profitability. A current ratio above 1 indicates financial stability, allowing you to cover short-term obligations. The debt-to-equity ratio reveals your financial leverage, with lower ratios preferred for reduced risk. Furthermore, the working capital ratio shows your short-term financial health; positive working capital suggests you can meet liabilities. Customization Options Available Comprehending your financial ratios is just the beginning of managing your business’s financial health; the customization options available in the Balance Sheet Template can greatly improve your reporting capabilities. This template allows you to tailor your financial reports to suit your specific needs, providing a clearer picture of your financial standing. Edit line items for current and long-term assets and liabilities. Include specific financial ratios, like working capital and debt-to-equity, for deeper analysis. Download the balance sheet template in Microsoft Excel or Smartsheet for flexibility. For those looking for a personal financial statement template excel free download, this balance sheet template is an invaluable tool that guarantees your financial data remains relevant and insightful. Business Expense Template A Business Expense Template is an essential tool for small business owners, allowing you to efficiently track your various expenses. This straightforward spreadsheet helps you record payment dates, methods, descriptions, and amounts, providing a running subtotal of your costs. It’s particularly beneficial for self-employed individuals since it can include home office expenses for tax deductions. You can easily customize this template to fit your specific needs by adding or deleting columns and rows. You can download the business expense report template in Excel, making it user-friendly and accessible. Here’s a quick example of what your template might look like: Date Description Amount 2023-01-01 Office Supplies $150.00 2023-01-10 Internet Bill $60.00 2023-01-15 Utilities $120.00 2023-01-20 Marketing Expenses $200.00 2023-01-25 Travel Expenses $300.00 Using this template can as well help you create a personal cash flow statement template, ensuring you maintain healthy finances. Billing Invoice Template An effective Billing Invoice Template can greatly simplify your invoicing process, making it easier to manage your business transactions. This customizable tool allows you to enter crucial details, such as the invoice number, date, customer ID, and payment terms, streamlining the entire process. It’s especially beneficial for maintaining organized records, particularly during tax season. Key features of the billing invoice template include: An itemized list of payments due, enhancing clarity for customers. An adjustable tax percentage field for accurate sales tax calculations. Availability in both Microsoft Excel and Smartsheet formats for versatile use. Invoice Tracking Template An Invoice Tracking Template is crucial for managing your invoicing process efficiently. It allows you to monitor every invoice you’ve issued, track payments, and keep a clear overview of outstanding amounts. Streamlined Invoice Management When managing invoices, having a reliable system in place can greatly improve your efficiency and accuracy. The Invoice Tracking Template serves as a simple spreadsheet solution, allowing you to effectively manage your accounts receivable. With this template, you can: Track invoice ID numbers, dates, and customer names easily. Enter payment dates upon receiving remittances for clear visibility. Monitor your total invoiced amounts, similar to a monthly statement sample or a loan statement template. Payment Tracking Efficiency Efficient payment tracking is crucial for maintaining a healthy cash flow in any small business, and the Invoice Tracking Template offers a streamlined approach to achieve this. This template allows you to organize invoices by ID number, date, customer name, description, and amount, ensuring accurate record-keeping of outstanding payments. You can likewise enter payment dates upon receipt, giving you a clear view of which invoices are paid and which remain pending. Invoice ID Amount Due 001 $500 002 $300 003 $450 004 $700 Statement of Account Template A Statement of Account Template serves as an important tool for businesses, offering a detailed overview of financial interactions with customers. This template consolidates fundamental account information into one accessible document, helping you manage customer relationships effectively. It includes a summary of previous balances, credits, current charges, and due dates. You’ll find an itemized list of charges and credits, detailing invoice numbers and transaction descriptions. By using a statement format in Excel, you can customize the template to meet your specific branding needs. Downloading a sample of statement of account in Excel enables you to improve financial organization and accuracy. With this template, you’ll clearly outline outstanding balances, prompting timely payments and reducing overdue accounts. Implementing this tool will streamline your bookkeeping processes, ensuring you maintain clear communication with your customers about their account statuses. Inventory Tracking Template Managing your inventory effectively is crucial for any business, as it directly impacts your bottom line. An inventory tracking template allows you to monitor the value of your current inventory and the cost of goods sold. By listing physical items with details like item number, name, description, type, and location, you can gain a clear overview of your stock. This template likewise records inventory purchases, including dates, vendors, and prices, enabling you to track inventory flow accurately. Accounts Receivable Template The Accounts Receivable Template is crucial for tracking customer payments efficiently, allowing you to keep a clear record of outstanding invoices. With its aging report feature, overdue payments automatically populate, enabling you to prioritize which invoices require immediate action. Tracking Customer Payments Efficiently To effectively track customer payments, utilizing an Accounts Receivable Template simplifies the process and boosts your financial oversight. This template allows you to monitor outstanding invoices effortlessly, ensuring that you maintain accurate records. By inputting crucial data like invoice terms, amounts, and payments received, you can generate a clear overview of total amounts due from customers. Consider these benefits: Reduces time spent on manual tracking Automatically populates an aging tab for overdue accounts Facilitates better cash flow management and financial planning You can use an excel sheet sample or a tax spreadsheet for small business to customize your template. Implementing this tool improves your collection processes, leading to enhanced financial efficiency. Aging Report Automation Benefits Even though many small businesses struggle with tracking overdue invoices, automating the aging report process through an Accounts Receivable Template offers a practical solution. This automation highlights overdue accounts quickly, allowing you to prioritize collection efforts effectively. By reducing manual errors and saving time, it improves your cash management, eventually benefiting your profit and loss account in Excel. Here’s a quick overview of the aging report automation benefits: Benefit Description Time-Saving Reduces manual data entry and tracking errors. Improved Cash Flow Insights Identifies overdue invoices and payment timelines. Better Decision-Making Facilitates financial planning and customer management. Utilizing this template streamlines your bookkeeping process, ensuring you’re always on top of your accounts receivable. Accounts Payable Template An effective Accounts Payable Template is essential for small businesses aiming to manage their financial obligations efficiently. This template helps you track money owed to vendors by listing important information such as balances due, payments made, supplier names, invoice numbers, and amounts. Key features include: Automatic calculations: It subtracts payments to show a running balance, simplifying your financial management. Prominent totals: The total amount owed to all vendors is displayed at the top, providing easy access to significant information. Customization options: Downloadable in Microsoft Excel and Smartsheet, it allows you to tailor it to fit your specific business needs. Using this accounts payable template not just maintains accurate records but additionally helps avoid late payments and streamlines vendor management. In the end, it contributes to a more organized annual financial report template, making your overall bookkeeping process more efficient. Simple Cash Flow Template A Simple Cash Flow Template is a crucial tool for small businesses that want to maintain a clear comprehension of their financial health. This template enables you to effectively track the movement of money in and out of your business, providing a clear overview of cash availability over time. You can list cash receipts, payments, operating expenses, and additional costs, making it easier to analyze your financial performance. Frequently Asked Questions What Software Can I Use to Create These Templates? You can use various software to create templates for bookkeeping tasks. Popular options include Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, which offer flexibility and ease of use. If you prefer dedicated bookkeeping solutions, consider QuickBooks or FreshBooks, which come with built-in templates designed for small businesses. Furthermore, accounting software like Xero provides customizable options. Each tool has features that can help streamline your bookkeeping process, so choose one that fits your specific needs. Are These Templates Customizable for Specific Business Needs? Yes, these templates are customizable to fit your specific business needs. You can adjust various elements, such as categories, descriptions, and formats, ensuring they align with your financial processes. Many software options allow you to edit templates easily, providing flexibility in how you manage your data. This customization helps you create reports that reflect your unique operations, making it easier to track performance and stay organized throughout the financial year. How Often Should I Update My Bookkeeping Records? You should update your bookkeeping records regularly to maintain accurate financial information. Ideally, you’ll want to do this at least once a month, but if your business transactions are frequent, consider updating weekly. This practice helps you track cash flow, manage expenses, and prepare for taxes efficiently. Consistent updates likewise guarantee you can quickly generate reports, identify trends, and make informed decisions to support your business growth and sustainability. Can I Use These Templates for Non-Profit Organizations? Yes, you can use these templates for non-profit organizations. They’re designed to help track income, expenses, and donations, which are essential for non-profits. You’ll find that many features, such as budget tracking and financial reporting, apply to both small businesses and non-profits. Just adapt the categories to suit your specific needs. Make certain you follow applicable regulations and guidelines for non-profit financial management to maintain compliance and transparency. Are There Any Costs Associated With These Templates? Yes, there can be costs associated with these templates. Some templates may be free, whereas others might require a one-time purchase or a subscription fee. If you’re using software that offers templates, there could be additional costs for premium features or updates. It’s important to review the terms and conditions before downloading or purchasing to understand any potential fees. Always consider your budget when evaluating these options for your business. Conclusion By utilizing these 10 crucial bookkeeping templates, you can streamline your financial management and guarantee your small business operates efficiently. Each template serves a specific purpose, from tracking cash flow to managing expenses and invoicing. Implementing these tools will help you maintain clarity in your financial records and make informed decisions. Investing time in these templates now will pay off in improved organization and financial stability as your business grows. Start enhancing your bookkeeping practices today. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Essential Small Business Bookkeeping Templates You Need Today" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you run a small business, effective bookkeeping is vital for your financial health. Utilizing the right templates can simplify your processes and improve your management capabilities. From tracking cash flow with a Cash Book Template to managing vendor payments through an Accounts Payable Template, these tools provide structure and clarity. You’ll additionally find invoicing and expense monitoring templates fundamental for day-to-day operations. Curious about how these templates can particularly benefit your business? Key Takeaways Utilize a Cash Book Template for efficient tracking of both debit and credit transactions, ensuring accurate financial management. Implement a Billing Invoice Template to simplify invoicing processes and maintain organized records for better transaction oversight. Use an Accounts Receivable Template to track customer payments and outstanding invoices, enhancing financial oversight and cash flow management. Adopt an Inventory Tracking Template to monitor inventory levels and costs, providing clear insights into stock management. Leverage a Balance Sheet Template to gain a comprehensive view of your business’s financial position, aiding in financial assessment and decision-making. Cash Book Template The Cash Book Template is an important tool for small business owners looking to manage their finances efficiently. This double-column format allows you to record and track both debit and credit transactions, ensuring thorough documentation of cash movements. You’ll find key entries like the date, description, and amount for each transaction, which helps maintain accuracy. The template automatically calculates subtotals and your total cash balance, giving you an up-to-date overview of your financial status. You can easily download the Cash Book Template in Microsoft Excel, making it accessible for customization and regular use. By incorporating this template into your bookkeeping practices, you improve your cash management efficiency. It serves as a foundational tool for managing cash flow, allowing you to create sample cash flow projections in Excel. Furthermore, using an Excel template cash flow forecast can aid in making informed financial decisions, finally supporting your business’s growth and sustainability. Balance Sheet Template When you create a balance sheet template, you’ll gain a clear view of your business’s financial position, showcasing key components like assets, liabilities, and equity. Comprehending the importance of financial ratios is essential, as they provide insights into your company’s financial health and performance. Furthermore, the customization options allow you to tailor the template to your specific needs, ensuring that it accurately reflects your unique financial situation. Key Components Explained Grasping the key components of a Balance Sheet Template is crucial for gaining insights into a business’s financial health. This template provides a thorough snapshot of your assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time. You can easily edit line items for current and long-term assets and liabilities based on your business needs. Here’s a quick overview of the components: Component Description Example Assets Resources owned by the business Cash, Inventory Liabilities Obligations owed to others Loans, Accounts Payable Equity Owner’s claim after liabilities Retained Earnings Balance Sheet Templates make financial assessments straightforward and are available for download in Microsoft Excel and Smartsheet. Importance of Financial Ratios Grasping the importance of financial ratios derived from your Balance Sheet Template is essential for effective business management. These ratios, such as the current ratio, help you assess liquidity, solvency, and profitability. A current ratio above 1 indicates financial stability, allowing you to cover short-term obligations. The debt-to-equity ratio reveals your financial leverage, with lower ratios preferred for reduced risk. Furthermore, the working capital ratio shows your short-term financial health; positive working capital suggests you can meet liabilities. Customization Options Available Comprehending your financial ratios is just the beginning of managing your business’s financial health; the customization options available in the Balance Sheet Template can greatly improve your reporting capabilities. This template allows you to tailor your financial reports to suit your specific needs, providing a clearer picture of your financial standing. Edit line items for current and long-term assets and liabilities. Include specific financial ratios, like working capital and debt-to-equity, for deeper analysis. Download the balance sheet template in Microsoft Excel or Smartsheet for flexibility. For those looking for a personal financial statement template excel free download, this balance sheet template is an invaluable tool that guarantees your financial data remains relevant and insightful. Business Expense Template A Business Expense Template is an essential tool for small business owners, allowing you to efficiently track your various expenses. This straightforward spreadsheet helps you record payment dates, methods, descriptions, and amounts, providing a running subtotal of your costs. It’s particularly beneficial for self-employed individuals since it can include home office expenses for tax deductions. You can easily customize this template to fit your specific needs by adding or deleting columns and rows. You can download the business expense report template in Excel, making it user-friendly and accessible. Here’s a quick example of what your template might look like: Date Description Amount 2023-01-01 Office Supplies $150.00 2023-01-10 Internet Bill $60.00 2023-01-15 Utilities $120.00 2023-01-20 Marketing Expenses $200.00 2023-01-25 Travel Expenses $300.00 Using this template can as well help you create a personal cash flow statement template, ensuring you maintain healthy finances. Billing Invoice Template An effective Billing Invoice Template can greatly simplify your invoicing process, making it easier to manage your business transactions. This customizable tool allows you to enter crucial details, such as the invoice number, date, customer ID, and payment terms, streamlining the entire process. It’s especially beneficial for maintaining organized records, particularly during tax season. Key features of the billing invoice template include: An itemized list of payments due, enhancing clarity for customers. An adjustable tax percentage field for accurate sales tax calculations. Availability in both Microsoft Excel and Smartsheet formats for versatile use. Invoice Tracking Template An Invoice Tracking Template is crucial for managing your invoicing process efficiently. It allows you to monitor every invoice you’ve issued, track payments, and keep a clear overview of outstanding amounts. Streamlined Invoice Management When managing invoices, having a reliable system in place can greatly improve your efficiency and accuracy. The Invoice Tracking Template serves as a simple spreadsheet solution, allowing you to effectively manage your accounts receivable. With this template, you can: Track invoice ID numbers, dates, and customer names easily. Enter payment dates upon receiving remittances for clear visibility. Monitor your total invoiced amounts, similar to a monthly statement sample or a loan statement template. Payment Tracking Efficiency Efficient payment tracking is crucial for maintaining a healthy cash flow in any small business, and the Invoice Tracking Template offers a streamlined approach to achieve this. This template allows you to organize invoices by ID number, date, customer name, description, and amount, ensuring accurate record-keeping of outstanding payments. You can likewise enter payment dates upon receipt, giving you a clear view of which invoices are paid and which remain pending. Invoice ID Amount Due 001 $500 002 $300 003 $450 004 $700 Statement of Account Template A Statement of Account Template serves as an important tool for businesses, offering a detailed overview of financial interactions with customers. This template consolidates fundamental account information into one accessible document, helping you manage customer relationships effectively. It includes a summary of previous balances, credits, current charges, and due dates. You’ll find an itemized list of charges and credits, detailing invoice numbers and transaction descriptions. By using a statement format in Excel, you can customize the template to meet your specific branding needs. Downloading a sample of statement of account in Excel enables you to improve financial organization and accuracy. With this template, you’ll clearly outline outstanding balances, prompting timely payments and reducing overdue accounts. Implementing this tool will streamline your bookkeeping processes, ensuring you maintain clear communication with your customers about their account statuses. Inventory Tracking Template Managing your inventory effectively is crucial for any business, as it directly impacts your bottom line. An inventory tracking template allows you to monitor the value of your current inventory and the cost of goods sold. By listing physical items with details like item number, name, description, type, and location, you can gain a clear overview of your stock. This template likewise records inventory purchases, including dates, vendors, and prices, enabling you to track inventory flow accurately. Accounts Receivable Template The Accounts Receivable Template is crucial for tracking customer payments efficiently, allowing you to keep a clear record of outstanding invoices. With its aging report feature, overdue payments automatically populate, enabling you to prioritize which invoices require immediate action. Tracking Customer Payments Efficiently To effectively track customer payments, utilizing an Accounts Receivable Template simplifies the process and boosts your financial oversight. This template allows you to monitor outstanding invoices effortlessly, ensuring that you maintain accurate records. By inputting crucial data like invoice terms, amounts, and payments received, you can generate a clear overview of total amounts due from customers. Consider these benefits: Reduces time spent on manual tracking Automatically populates an aging tab for overdue accounts Facilitates better cash flow management and financial planning You can use an excel sheet sample or a tax spreadsheet for small business to customize your template. Implementing this tool improves your collection processes, leading to enhanced financial efficiency. Aging Report Automation Benefits Even though many small businesses struggle with tracking overdue invoices, automating the aging report process through an Accounts Receivable Template offers a practical solution. This automation highlights overdue accounts quickly, allowing you to prioritize collection efforts effectively. By reducing manual errors and saving time, it improves your cash management, eventually benefiting your profit and loss account in Excel. Here’s a quick overview of the aging report automation benefits: Benefit Description Time-Saving Reduces manual data entry and tracking errors. Improved Cash Flow Insights Identifies overdue invoices and payment timelines. Better Decision-Making Facilitates financial planning and customer management. Utilizing this template streamlines your bookkeeping process, ensuring you’re always on top of your accounts receivable. Accounts Payable Template An effective Accounts Payable Template is essential for small businesses aiming to manage their financial obligations efficiently. This template helps you track money owed to vendors by listing important information such as balances due, payments made, supplier names, invoice numbers, and amounts. Key features include: Automatic calculations: It subtracts payments to show a running balance, simplifying your financial management. Prominent totals: The total amount owed to all vendors is displayed at the top, providing easy access to significant information. Customization options: Downloadable in Microsoft Excel and Smartsheet, it allows you to tailor it to fit your specific business needs. Using this accounts payable template not just maintains accurate records but additionally helps avoid late payments and streamlines vendor management. In the end, it contributes to a more organized annual financial report template, making your overall bookkeeping process more efficient. Simple Cash Flow Template A Simple Cash Flow Template is a crucial tool for small businesses that want to maintain a clear comprehension of their financial health. This template enables you to effectively track the movement of money in and out of your business, providing a clear overview of cash availability over time. You can list cash receipts, payments, operating expenses, and additional costs, making it easier to analyze your financial performance. Frequently Asked Questions What Software Can I Use to Create These Templates? You can use various software to create templates for bookkeeping tasks. Popular options include Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, which offer flexibility and ease of use. If you prefer dedicated bookkeeping solutions, consider QuickBooks or FreshBooks, which come with built-in templates designed for small businesses. Furthermore, accounting software like Xero provides customizable options. Each tool has features that can help streamline your bookkeeping process, so choose one that fits your specific needs. Are These Templates Customizable for Specific Business Needs? Yes, these templates are customizable to fit your specific business needs. You can adjust various elements, such as categories, descriptions, and formats, ensuring they align with your financial processes. Many software options allow you to edit templates easily, providing flexibility in how you manage your data. This customization helps you create reports that reflect your unique operations, making it easier to track performance and stay organized throughout the financial year. How Often Should I Update My Bookkeeping Records? You should update your bookkeeping records regularly to maintain accurate financial information. Ideally, you’ll want to do this at least once a month, but if your business transactions are frequent, consider updating weekly. This practice helps you track cash flow, manage expenses, and prepare for taxes efficiently. Consistent updates likewise guarantee you can quickly generate reports, identify trends, and make informed decisions to support your business growth and sustainability. Can I Use These Templates for Non-Profit Organizations? Yes, you can use these templates for non-profit organizations. They’re designed to help track income, expenses, and donations, which are essential for non-profits. You’ll find that many features, such as budget tracking and financial reporting, apply to both small businesses and non-profits. Just adapt the categories to suit your specific needs. Make certain you follow applicable regulations and guidelines for non-profit financial management to maintain compliance and transparency. Are There Any Costs Associated With These Templates? Yes, there can be costs associated with these templates. Some templates may be free, whereas others might require a one-time purchase or a subscription fee. If you’re using software that offers templates, there could be additional costs for premium features or updates. It’s important to review the terms and conditions before downloading or purchasing to understand any potential fees. Always consider your budget when evaluating these options for your business. Conclusion By utilizing these 10 crucial bookkeeping templates, you can streamline your financial management and guarantee your small business operates efficiently. Each template serves a specific purpose, from tracking cash flow to managing expenses and invoicing. Implementing these tools will help you maintain clarity in your financial records and make informed decisions. Investing time in these templates now will pay off in improved organization and financial stability as your business grows. Start enhancing your bookkeeping practices today. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Essential Small Business Bookkeeping Templates You Need Today" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When we talk about infrastructure for a local economy, most people picture roads, sewer pipes, broadband, or parks. But there is an invisible type of infrastructure that shapes where capital flows and which businesses are considered investable. These are the narratives shape how a city talks about itself and its people. Strong narratives rooted in abundance help attract institutional capital, spur innovation, and foster partnership and collaboration. When you treat narrative as an investable priority, you can reshape a city’s physical landscape. Seeking a quick return on investment, some fabricate narratives and relabel entire communities within cities without residents’ assent. In Denver, an intentional branding campaign shifted the name of a historically Black neighborhood (“Five Points”) to River North (or “RiNo”) with the hope that it would spur a local arts community. It worked—and brought in economic development, restaurants, and higher-income residents. But the campaign also helped the neighborhood become the second-most gentrified place in the country. Like it or not, these fabricated narratives and relabeling are effective. If done with intention and focused on inclusive growth, they can transform a place for the better. Our current national economic policy narrative seems to center on unpredictability and chaos. Yet the disruption of systems and expectations does allow us to create a new national narrative that acknowledges all people and every community have the capacity and potential to thrive economically. NARRATIVE AS ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE Creating a narrative infrastructure goes beyond city slogans or branding campaigns. Narratives about talent, ingenuity, and industriousness become local and regional history and the stuff of lore, legends, and pride, like Pittsburgh as “Steel Town USA.” Or the “Keep Austin Weird” slogan, which branded Austin, Texas, as a creatively rich and innovative place, helping it become the tech hub it is today. When we align investment capital with the perceptions that flow from our narratives, the stories that undergird them become reality. We found three narrative components that show up in cities that do this well: 1. Shared language: These cities have a unified way of describing value, risk, and inclusion. Establishing shared language was a central tenet of our collective impact work through The Integration Initiative. When economic development officials, lenders, philanthropy, and community partners all use the same language to talk about entrepreneurs, creditworthiness, or wealth-building, it becomes much easier to identify opportunities in the same places and move resources in the same direction. 2. Shared decision rules: Cities that have repeatable methods for translating community stories into policy, programs, and investment design are creating a successful narrative infrastructure. These criteria, guardrails, and questions are standard in RFPs, loan committees, and city council deliberations—for example, asking how a project advances shared ownership or incorporates known resident priorities. Many communities work together to create standardized approaches connected to shared goals, such as Nashville, which developed a streamlined process and checklist for responding to local government RFP to support the growth of local suppliers. 3. Shared performance signals: When cities monitor what type of businesses receive funding, which neighborhoods see new investment, and how quickly new capital is deployed, they can understand how their stories influence impact. Creating a shared measurement framework and partnering with a third-party evaluator can ensure the integrity of the performance data and that the storytelling remains robust. WHEN STORIES MOVE CAPITAL In the Twin Cities, systemic exclusion left Black and Indigenous communities with limited wealth-building opportunities, even as new investment dollars flowed into the region. We partnered with Youthprise to launch cooperative entrepreneurship cohorts that placed young founders of color at the center of the city’s economic story. Young entrepreneurs had an opportunity to explore co-ownership models. By shifting the focus from individual enterprises to cooperative enterprises, the city cultivated ecosystems that were not only profitable but also equitable. Co-ownership models, including worker cooperatives, community land trusts, and shared-equity enterprises, offer a tangible way to build a locally rooted economy where ownership, decision-making, and prosperity are held in common by those who live and work there. Even though these small businesses were young and first-time entrepreneurs, they were not seen as risky investments. Instead, they were seen as critical to the fabric of the community and, therefore, to building a resilient economy. By embedding narrative infrastructure into economic development strategies, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region is beginning to shift public will, policy appetite, and investor perception in tandem with concrete support for cooperative, community enterprises. Since the original partnership, approximately $2.5 million in private funding has been secured for a multi-use development anchored by youth cooperative housing. FROM STORY TO POLICY TO CAPITAL We assume stories are our reflections on what has come before, but we can also tell ourselves future stories and speak new opportunities into being. Cities that anchor narrative language in assumptions about entrepreneurs, sectors, or neighborhoods will never grow beyond limiting constraints. In an era of disruption and widening inequality, cities that intentionally build narrative infrastructure won’t just tell better stories; they will build more inclusive, resilient local economies that prove those stories true. Joe Scantlebury is president and CEO of Living Cities. View the full article

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has unveiled an exciting initiative that aims to honor American entrepreneurship while providing substantial financial rewards for participating small businesses. The newly launched Patriot Pitch Competition boasts a total cash prize pool of $1 million, thanks to a generous contribution from Clover Network, Inc. This competition is open to small businesses demonstrating the innovative spirit that has been a cornerstone of American free enterprise for 250 years. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler underscored the profound impact small businesses have had on the American economy. “From the family farm to the factory floor, small businesses have punched above their weight for the last 250 years to power America’s economy,” said Loeffler. She highlighted the contest as a celebration of entrepreneurship’s legacy and potential, adding that it aims to spotlight small businesses as vital catalysts for job creation and economic growth. This nationwide competition is tailored for businesses that have utilized qualifying SBA capital products, making it a strategic opportunity for those who have already engaged with SBA resources. With categories for evaluation that focus on strengthening American competitiveness, demonstrating innovation, creating economic opportunities, and showing execution readiness, the competition promises to attract a diverse array of small enterprises. The competition will unfold in four stages, culminating in a live finals event in Washington, D.C., scheduled for September. Finalists will have the chance to pitch their business concepts before a panel of distinguished judges, vying for a share of the $1 million prize pool. Not only does this provide a platform for participants to showcase their innovations, but it also offers national visibility. In addition to the pitches, the finals event will feature notable speakers from various sectors, offering attendees valuable insights. A supplier matchmaking expo will connect small businesses with potential partners, opening doors to contracting opportunities. Networking with investors and industry leaders adds another layer of potential value for participants. Small business owners interested in participating must submit their applications by June 10. This presents an opportunity not just for funding, but for exposure to industry trends and connections that could fuel growth. The SBA encourages all eligible small businesses to take action and leverage this unique platform. However, potential challenges exist for small businesses considering participation. The competitive nature of the event may be intimidating for some, especially those without extensive experience in pitching. Additionally, significant preparation may be necessary to meet the judging criteria, which demand a clear demonstration of innovation and impact. For many entrepreneurs, time is a valuable commodity, and the commitment to prepare a compelling pitch can be daunting. Small businesses should weigh the potential benefits of cash prizes and exposure against the resources they have available for preparation. Ultimately, the Patriot Pitch Competition epitomizes the ongoing commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in America. By providing much-needed financial incentives and resources, the SBA aims to galvanize small businesses into taking bold steps toward innovation and growth. For more details on eligibility, competition stages, and event programming, please visit SBA’s Patriot Pitch page. As the Patriot Pitch Competition gears up, small business owners have a unique opportunity to engage with a national audience, showcase their potential, and perhaps walk away with a significant financial boost that can help elevate their business to new heights. Image via Google Gemini This article, "SBA Launches $1 Million Patriot Pitch Competition for Innovating Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has unveiled an exciting initiative that aims to honor American entrepreneurship while providing substantial financial rewards for participating small businesses. The newly launched Patriot Pitch Competition boasts a total cash prize pool of $1 million, thanks to a generous contribution from Clover Network, Inc. This competition is open to small businesses demonstrating the innovative spirit that has been a cornerstone of American free enterprise for 250 years. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler underscored the profound impact small businesses have had on the American economy. “From the family farm to the factory floor, small businesses have punched above their weight for the last 250 years to power America’s economy,” said Loeffler. She highlighted the contest as a celebration of entrepreneurship’s legacy and potential, adding that it aims to spotlight small businesses as vital catalysts for job creation and economic growth. This nationwide competition is tailored for businesses that have utilized qualifying SBA capital products, making it a strategic opportunity for those who have already engaged with SBA resources. With categories for evaluation that focus on strengthening American competitiveness, demonstrating innovation, creating economic opportunities, and showing execution readiness, the competition promises to attract a diverse array of small enterprises. The competition will unfold in four stages, culminating in a live finals event in Washington, D.C., scheduled for September. Finalists will have the chance to pitch their business concepts before a panel of distinguished judges, vying for a share of the $1 million prize pool. Not only does this provide a platform for participants to showcase their innovations, but it also offers national visibility. In addition to the pitches, the finals event will feature notable speakers from various sectors, offering attendees valuable insights. A supplier matchmaking expo will connect small businesses with potential partners, opening doors to contracting opportunities. Networking with investors and industry leaders adds another layer of potential value for participants. Small business owners interested in participating must submit their applications by June 10. This presents an opportunity not just for funding, but for exposure to industry trends and connections that could fuel growth. The SBA encourages all eligible small businesses to take action and leverage this unique platform. However, potential challenges exist for small businesses considering participation. The competitive nature of the event may be intimidating for some, especially those without extensive experience in pitching. Additionally, significant preparation may be necessary to meet the judging criteria, which demand a clear demonstration of innovation and impact. For many entrepreneurs, time is a valuable commodity, and the commitment to prepare a compelling pitch can be daunting. Small businesses should weigh the potential benefits of cash prizes and exposure against the resources they have available for preparation. Ultimately, the Patriot Pitch Competition epitomizes the ongoing commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in America. By providing much-needed financial incentives and resources, the SBA aims to galvanize small businesses into taking bold steps toward innovation and growth. For more details on eligibility, competition stages, and event programming, please visit SBA’s Patriot Pitch page. As the Patriot Pitch Competition gears up, small business owners have a unique opportunity to engage with a national audience, showcase their potential, and perhaps walk away with a significant financial boost that can help elevate their business to new heights. Image via Google Gemini This article, "SBA Launches $1 Million Patriot Pitch Competition for Innovating Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

One small glimmer of hope for anyone hoping to buy a home soon: You might not need as much cash as you would have in years past. Down payments hit their lowest level in five years in the first three months of 2026, according to a new report from Realtor.com. The amount of cash buyers need to put down to buy a home has dropped consistently over the last year, reaching a new low that’s 19% less than this time in 2025. Dwindling down payments are a sign of a new phase in the U.S. housing market. In the heady housing scramble that kicked off with pandemic-era rate cuts, sky-high down payments became table stakes for making a strong offer. After a sharp uptick from 2020 to 2022, down payments continued to climb through the end of 2024, when they peaked at an average of $32,700 or 15% of a home’s selling price. In early 2019, the average down payment was $12,500, which represented 10.7% of the average home price. By early last year, that percentage jumped up to 14% or $28,900—a huge increase considering that this number represents the cash in hand that you’d need to buy a house. This year, a buyer would need to put down 12.8% or $23,400, according to the new homebuying report. The downward trend means that competition for homes is easing a bit as inventory opens up and prices soften. “Down payments are falling as the housing market slowly tilts toward buyers,” Hannah Jones, a senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com, said in the report. “High prices and borrowing costs continue to test affordability, and while conditions are improving, some of the buyers reentering the market are doing so via government-backed programs that have lower down-payment requirements.” Jones says that while the market is improving by some measures, many households may still find the path to owning a home challenging. Parts of the country where home prices are cooling off show the biggest dip in the average down payment. The South and the West showed the biggest declines, with the Midwest staying steady and the Northeast still showing a spike in the amount of cash people need to put down to compete for a home. Signs of a shift There are a few signs in the housing market that things are finally getting a little easier for buyers. The average home buyer’s credit score started trending down last year, a sign that people previously priced out of the market are finding their way back in—and many of them had a little help. To get their foot in the door, more buyers are tapping government programs like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) loans designed to ease the financial burden of buying a home. Over the last five quarters, FHA’s portion of purchase mortgages has remained above 24%, its longest stretch at such high levels in 10 years. VA loans accounted for 11.7% of mortgages in the first quarter of 2026, also a 10-year high. Both government-backed loans allow lower earners to make smaller down payments, easing the cash crunch that can prove to be insurmountable for many people trying to buy a home. “Government-backed programs are serving as a critical pressure valve, keeping the door to homeownership open for buyers who might otherwise be shut out entirely,” Jones said. “But the growing reliance on FHA and VA financing also reflects how much the conventional path to homeownership has narrowed for buyers without significant cash reserves.” Across the country, many homebuying markets are tipping back in favor of buyers. Last month, two-thirds of the biggest housing markets moved into more balanced or buyer-friendly territory. Only a quarter of the top metros in the U.S. qualified as seller’s markets, with a large ratio of home buyers competing for the same housing inventory. While that picture is still uneven from region to region, it’s just one more sign that things may start easing for potential homebuyers waiting in the wings. View the full article

Far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich says move would be a ‘declaration of war’View the full article

Managing your EIDL payment effectively is vital to maintaining your business’s financial health. You’ll start by creating an account on the MySBA Loan Portal, which allows you to monitor your loan details and payment schedule. Comprehending key dates and payment options, like ACH or PayPal, can simplify the process. Setting up reminders can help guarantee you never miss a due date. To navigate this efficiently, let’s examine the fundamental steps for a seamless payment experience. Key Takeaways Log in to the MySBA Loan Portal to view loan details and monitor your balance regularly. Set up reminders for payment due dates to ensure timely payments and avoid penalties. Choose your preferred payment method, such as ACH, PayPal, or debit card, for convenience. Prepare mailed payments with your SBA loan number included in the memo field for proper processing. Communicate with your lender for assistance or to discuss repayment options if facing financial difficulties. Understanding Your EIDL Loan When you receive an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), it’s vital to fully understand its terms and conditions to manage your repayment effectively. EIDL loans carry an interest rate of less than 4% and can be repaid over a maximum of 30 years. Unlike EIDL Advances, these loans require repayment from all Obligors, including Borrowers and Guarantors. You’ll start making EIDL payments 30 months after the loan origination date, with interest continuing to accrue during the deferment period. To keep track of your expenses, an SBA loan lookup can help you maintain accurate records. Documentation of how funds were spent is important, so save all itemized receipts as required by the SBA to guarantee compliance and facilitate repayment. Key Dates for EIDL Payments When managing your EIDL payments, it’s essential to know the key dates that will affect your loan repayment. Payments will start 30 months after your loan origination date, so it’s important to mark that on your calendar. With the deferment period extended, you should likewise keep track of interest accruing during this time, as it impacts your total loan balance. Important Payment Deadlines Comprehending the key payment deadlines for your Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is vital to maintaining financial stability. Payments begin 30 months after the loan origination date, following a deferment period. To avoid late fees and guarantee timely payments, stay aware of deadlines, as interest accrues during deferment. You can check your loan balance and obligations through the MySBA Loan Portal or the SBA’s Capital Access Financial System. Deadline Type Description Action Required Loan Origination Date Start of deferment Note the 30-month countdown First Payment Due 30 months post-origination Prepare for payment Payment Frequency Monthly payments thereafter Set reminders Regularly monitor your loan status for effective financial management. Deferment Period Extension The extension of the deferment period for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) offers borrowers additional relief before repayments begin, now set to start 30 months after the loan origination date. This extension provides you with extra time to prepare your finances. Nevertheless, it’s important to bear in mind that interest continues to accrue during this period, potentially increasing your total repayment amount. You can make early payments without any pre-payment penalties, which can help reduce the overall interest costs. Staying informed about your loan terms and payment schedules is crucial to avoid surprises when the deferment period ends. Accessing the MySBA Loan Portal To access the MySBA Loan Portal, you’ll need to create an account using the same login credentials from the previous Capital Access Financial System (CAFS). Once you’re logged in, maneuvering your loan information is straightforward, enabling you to review details and make payments online. This portal not merely streamlines your payment process but will additionally add features like recurring payments in the future for added convenience. Creating Your Account Accessing the MySBA Loan Portal is a straightforward process, especially for those who’ve previously used the Capital Access Financial System (CAFS). To create your account, you’ll need to use the same login credentials from CAFS, as the system changed on March 23, 2023. If you’re not already enrolled, you can set up an account by providing your name, date of birth, and SBA loan number. You can find your SBA loan number in the RAPID portal or your original loan documents, which are crucial for this process. Once logged in, you’ll be able to view your loan details, make payments, and access statements directly from the portal, streamlining your loan management experience. Navigating Loan Information Once you’ve successfully created your MySBA Loan Portal account, managing your loan information becomes a streamlined process. You can access the portal using the same login credentials you previously used for the Capital Access Financial System (CAFS) as of March 23, 2023. Within the portal, you’ll find detailed loan information, including account statements. Even though the option to set up recurring payments is anticipated to be added in the future, you can currently make payments through various methods, including PAY.gov and online banking. Remember, for payments to advance the due date, they must be processed within 25 days of the due date. For any questions or documentation requests, contact the COVID-EIDL Contact Center via email, ensuring you include your company name and loan number in the subject line. Making Payments Online Making online payments for your EIDL loan is a straightforward process when you utilize the MySBA Loan Portal. First, log in using the same credentials you used for the Capital Access Financial System (CAFS) as of March 23, 2023. Once you’re in, you can view your loan details, make payments, and access your statements directly. Remember, payments must be completed within 25 days of the due date to advance the payment date, and bulk payments aren’t supported. You’ll find a recurring payments feature may be added in the future for easier management. Keep in mind that interest continues to accrue during hardship accommodations, which allow for reduced payments for six months. Stay informed to manage your obligations effectively. Checking Your EIDL Loan Balance How can you effectively manage your EIDL loan obligations? Start by checking your EIDL loan balance regularly. To do this, visit the SBA’s Capital Access Financial System (CAFS) website. If you haven’t created an account yet, you’ll need to sign up using your name, date of birth, and SBA loan number, which you can find in the RAPID portal or your original loan documents. If you’re struggling to locate it, don’t hesitate to contact the Disaster Loan Servicing Centers for help. Monitoring your loan balance is essential, especially since interest continues to accrue during the deferment period. This way, you can stay informed about your repayment obligations and guarantee effective financial planning moving forward. How to Pay Your EIDL Loan Online Paying your EIDL loan online is a straightforward process that can help you stay on top of your financial responsibilities. To get started, sign in or create an account at pay.gov, then locate the SBA 1201 Borrower Payment form. Enter your SBA loan number and the payment amount on the form. Choose a payment method such as ACH, PayPal, or debit card, as credit card payments aren’t accepted. You can set up one-time or recurring payments based on your preferred frequency. Remember to make your payment within 25 days of the due date to advance the payment date and avoid late fees. Keep in mind that interest continues to accrue during the deferment period, which lasts up to 30 months. Steps to Create a Pay.gov Account Creating a Pay.gov account is crucial for managing your EIDL payments effectively. To get started, head to the Pay.gov website and select “Create an Account,” where you’ll need to provide your name, date of birth, and your SBA loan number. Once you’ve entered this information and followed the prompts, you’ll gain access to various payment options for your loan. Account Creation Process To start the account creation process on Pay.gov, visit the website and select the “Sign Up” option. You’ll be prompted to enter personal information, including your name, date of birth, and email address. Make sure you have your SBA loan number handy, as it’s needed during registration. After you’ve filled out the required information, take a moment to carefully review the terms and conditions before submitting your account application. Once your account is successfully created, you can log in to manage your EIDL loan payments online. Pay.gov offers various payment methods, including ACH transfers, PayPal, or debit cards, making it easy and convenient to stay on top of your loan obligations. Required Information Details When you’re ready to create your Pay.gov account, start by visiting the website and selecting the “Create an Account” option. You’ll need to provide personal information, including your name, date of birth, and your SBA loan number, which you can find in your RAPID portal or original loan documents. After entering this required information, you’ll set up a secure username and password for your account. Once your account is created, it enables you to make your EIDL loan payments online, with options like ACH or debit card. Remember to keep your login credentials secure, as you’ll need them to access your account and manage future payments efficiently. Accessing Payment Options Accessing payment options for your EIDL loan becomes straightforward once you create a Pay.gov account. To start, visit the Pay.gov website and select the “Sign Up” option. You’ll need to provide personal information, including your name, date of birth, and SBA loan number. If you can’t find your loan number, check the RAPID portal, your original loan documents, or contact Disaster Loan Servicing Centers. After setting up your account, you can access the SBA 1201 Borrower Payment form to make payments via ACH, PayPal, or debit card. Remember to keep your login credentials secure and check your account regularly for updates. Step Action Notes 1. Visit Pay.gov Go to the website Look for “Sign Up” 2. Provide Info Enter your details Include SBA loan number 3. Make Payments Access SBA 1201 form Use ACH, PayPal, or debit Completing the SBA 1201 Borrower Payment Form Completing the SBA 1201 Borrower Payment form is a crucial step in managing your Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) payments. To guarantee a smooth process, follow these steps: Sign in or create an account at pay.gov, the SBA’s preferred platform. Input your SBA loan number and payment amount accurately to avoid delays. Choose a payment method—options include ACH, PayPal, or debit card, as credit cards aren’t accepted. Decide whether to set up a one-time or recurring payment based on your financial needs. After you fill out the form, review all details carefully before submitting. This guarantees your payment processes correctly and on time, helping you stay on track with your EIDL obligations. Making Payments by Mail Making payments by mail for your Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) requires careful attention to detail to guarantee your payment is processed correctly. Start by preparing a check or money order made out to “U.S. Small Business Administration.” Don’t forget to include your 10-digit SBA loan number in the memo field to guarantee proper allocation. Mail your payment to the designated SBA address in Portland, OR, as specified in your loan documentation. It’s crucial to send payments well in advance of the due date to account for possible postal delays and avoid late fees. Retain a copy of your payment and any tracking information. Regularly check your loan balance through the SBA’s Capital Access Financial System to confirm receipt and application. Using Bank Bill Pay Services Using bank bill pay services can streamline your EIDL loan payment process, offering a convenient alternative to mailing checks. To get started, follow these steps: Add the SBA as a payee in your bank’s online banking platform, using your loan number as the account number. Follow your bank’s specific procedures for processing payments to avoid any delays or issues. Make sure the payment includes the correct loan number in the memo field, ensuring proper application to your EIDL account. Keep a record of your payment confirmation from the bank to maintain accurate financial records. Setting Up Payment Reminders To guarantee you never miss a payment on your EIDL loan, setting up payment reminders is essential. Start by adding calendar reminders for your loan payment due dates, which begin 30 months after loan origination. You can likewise utilize the online payment system at pay.gov to schedule one-time or recurring payments, making it easier to manage your cash flow. Be sure to regularly check your EIDL loan balance through the SBA’s Capital Access Financial System or the MySBA Loan Portal to stay updated on your outstanding amount and upcoming obligations. Mark your calendar for the end of the deferment period and consider setting reminders at least a week in advance to prepare for any necessary adjustments to your finances. Keeping Track of Loan Documentation Keeping track of your loan documentation is crucial for maintaining compliance with SBA requirements and guaranteeing smooth management of your EIDL loan. Here are key items to monitor closely: Itemized Receipts and Contracts: Keep detailed records of all expenses related to the EIDL loan, as the SBA may request these for verification. Loan Agreement Details: Document the terms, interest rates, and repayment schedules for easy reference and effective financial planning. Tax Documentation Alignment: Confirm your loan usage records align with your tax documents to support compliance. Business Changes: Document any changes in business structure or ownership and notify the SBA without delay to maintain compliance with reporting requirements. Regularly reviewing these documents prepares you for potential audits and keeps your financial management on track. Understanding Payment Allocation Grasping how your EIDL loan payments are distributed is essential for effective financial management and compliance with SBA requirements. Each payment consists of both principal and interest, so comprehending this breakdown helps you track your loan progress. During the deferment period, interest accrues, potentially increasing your total loan balance even without payments. Once payments start, closely monitor how much of each payment reduces the principal versus covering interest. Properly allocating payments not just decreases your outstanding balance but additionally minimizes overall interest paid over the loan’s life. Keeping transparent records of these allocations is critical, ensuring compliance with SBA guidelines and aiding in your personal financial planning, which ultimately supports your business’s growth and sustainability. Seeking Assistance for EIDL Management As you manage your EIDL loan payments, it’s important to know that personalized support is available to help you navigate your repayment obligations. Utilizing these resources can greatly ease your experience, allowing you to focus on your business. Here are some options to evaluate: SBA Support Teams: Reach out to dedicated teams for guidance on loan terms and conditions. MySBA Loan Portal: Use this platform to make payments and access important loan details easily. Financial Counseling: Seek assistance in managing your business finances effectively. Eligibility Clarification: Engage with support services to understand funding eligibility and streamline repayments. Frequently Asked Questions How Do I Make a Payment on My EIDL Loan? To make a payment on your EIDL loan, you can use the SBA’s online payment method through pay.gov. Create an account and complete the SBA 1201 Borrower Payment form. On the other hand, you can pay via bank bill pay by adding the SBA as a payee, using your loan number. If you prefer mailing, send a check to “U.S. Small Business Administration,” noting your loan number in the memo. What Is the 20% Rule for SBA? The 20% Rule for SBA loans requires any owner with 20% or more ownership to provide a personal guaranty for loans exceeding $200,000. This rule guarantees that significant stakeholders have a personal stake in repaying the loan. If you own a substantial portion of your business, comprehending this rule is essential, as failure to comply can lead to loan denial or complications during the approval process, impacting your overall financial strategy. Is There a Penalty for Early Payoff of EIDL Loan? No, there’s no penalty for early payoff of your EIDL loan. You can pay off your loan in full at any time without incurring extra fees. This can help you save on overall interest since it continues to accrue during deferment. Though your monthly payment amount won’t change, paying early will shorten your loan term, allowing you to achieve financial relief sooner. Adjust your repayment strategy as your financial situation permits for ideal savings. Will Eidl Ever Be Forgiven? EIDL loans won’t be forgiven, as they aren’t designed for that purpose. Unlike grants, these loans require repayment regardless of your business’s financial status. All borrowers, guarantors, and obligors must fulfill this obligation, and there’s no option for loan forgiveness or modification of repayment terms. For loans exceeding $25,000, collateral is additionally necessary, further emphasizing the importance of repaying the full amount as outlined in the loan agreement. Conclusion By actively managing your EIDL payments, you can guarantee timely repayment and avoid potential penalties. Utilize the MySBA Loan Portal to monitor your loan details, set up reminders for payment due dates, and choose a convenient payment method. Automating your payments can streamline the process, as staying organized with your loan documentation will help you keep track of important information. If you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to the COVID-EIDL Contact Center for support. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Manage Your EIDL Payment – A Step-by-Step Guide" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Managing your EIDL payment effectively is vital to maintaining your business’s financial health. You’ll start by creating an account on the MySBA Loan Portal, which allows you to monitor your loan details and payment schedule. Comprehending key dates and payment options, like ACH or PayPal, can simplify the process. Setting up reminders can help guarantee you never miss a due date. To navigate this efficiently, let’s examine the fundamental steps for a seamless payment experience. Key Takeaways Log in to the MySBA Loan Portal to view loan details and monitor your balance regularly. Set up reminders for payment due dates to ensure timely payments and avoid penalties. Choose your preferred payment method, such as ACH, PayPal, or debit card, for convenience. Prepare mailed payments with your SBA loan number included in the memo field for proper processing. Communicate with your lender for assistance or to discuss repayment options if facing financial difficulties. Understanding Your EIDL Loan When you receive an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), it’s vital to fully understand its terms and conditions to manage your repayment effectively. EIDL loans carry an interest rate of less than 4% and can be repaid over a maximum of 30 years. Unlike EIDL Advances, these loans require repayment from all Obligors, including Borrowers and Guarantors. You’ll start making EIDL payments 30 months after the loan origination date, with interest continuing to accrue during the deferment period. To keep track of your expenses, an SBA loan lookup can help you maintain accurate records. Documentation of how funds were spent is important, so save all itemized receipts as required by the SBA to guarantee compliance and facilitate repayment. Key Dates for EIDL Payments When managing your EIDL payments, it’s essential to know the key dates that will affect your loan repayment. Payments will start 30 months after your loan origination date, so it’s important to mark that on your calendar. With the deferment period extended, you should likewise keep track of interest accruing during this time, as it impacts your total loan balance. Important Payment Deadlines Comprehending the key payment deadlines for your Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is vital to maintaining financial stability. Payments begin 30 months after the loan origination date, following a deferment period. To avoid late fees and guarantee timely payments, stay aware of deadlines, as interest accrues during deferment. You can check your loan balance and obligations through the MySBA Loan Portal or the SBA’s Capital Access Financial System. Deadline Type Description Action Required Loan Origination Date Start of deferment Note the 30-month countdown First Payment Due 30 months post-origination Prepare for payment Payment Frequency Monthly payments thereafter Set reminders Regularly monitor your loan status for effective financial management. Deferment Period Extension The extension of the deferment period for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) offers borrowers additional relief before repayments begin, now set to start 30 months after the loan origination date. This extension provides you with extra time to prepare your finances. Nevertheless, it’s important to bear in mind that interest continues to accrue during this period, potentially increasing your total repayment amount. You can make early payments without any pre-payment penalties, which can help reduce the overall interest costs. Staying informed about your loan terms and payment schedules is crucial to avoid surprises when the deferment period ends. Accessing the MySBA Loan Portal To access the MySBA Loan Portal, you’ll need to create an account using the same login credentials from the previous Capital Access Financial System (CAFS). Once you’re logged in, maneuvering your loan information is straightforward, enabling you to review details and make payments online. This portal not merely streamlines your payment process but will additionally add features like recurring payments in the future for added convenience. Creating Your Account Accessing the MySBA Loan Portal is a straightforward process, especially for those who’ve previously used the Capital Access Financial System (CAFS). To create your account, you’ll need to use the same login credentials from CAFS, as the system changed on March 23, 2023. If you’re not already enrolled, you can set up an account by providing your name, date of birth, and SBA loan number. You can find your SBA loan number in the RAPID portal or your original loan documents, which are crucial for this process. Once logged in, you’ll be able to view your loan details, make payments, and access statements directly from the portal, streamlining your loan management experience. Navigating Loan Information Once you’ve successfully created your MySBA Loan Portal account, managing your loan information becomes a streamlined process. You can access the portal using the same login credentials you previously used for the Capital Access Financial System (CAFS) as of March 23, 2023. Within the portal, you’ll find detailed loan information, including account statements. Even though the option to set up recurring payments is anticipated to be added in the future, you can currently make payments through various methods, including PAY.gov and online banking. Remember, for payments to advance the due date, they must be processed within 25 days of the due date. For any questions or documentation requests, contact the COVID-EIDL Contact Center via email, ensuring you include your company name and loan number in the subject line. Making Payments Online Making online payments for your EIDL loan is a straightforward process when you utilize the MySBA Loan Portal. First, log in using the same credentials you used for the Capital Access Financial System (CAFS) as of March 23, 2023. Once you’re in, you can view your loan details, make payments, and access your statements directly. Remember, payments must be completed within 25 days of the due date to advance the payment date, and bulk payments aren’t supported. You’ll find a recurring payments feature may be added in the future for easier management. Keep in mind that interest continues to accrue during hardship accommodations, which allow for reduced payments for six months. Stay informed to manage your obligations effectively. Checking Your EIDL Loan Balance How can you effectively manage your EIDL loan obligations? Start by checking your EIDL loan balance regularly. To do this, visit the SBA’s Capital Access Financial System (CAFS) website. If you haven’t created an account yet, you’ll need to sign up using your name, date of birth, and SBA loan number, which you can find in the RAPID portal or your original loan documents. If you’re struggling to locate it, don’t hesitate to contact the Disaster Loan Servicing Centers for help. Monitoring your loan balance is essential, especially since interest continues to accrue during the deferment period. This way, you can stay informed about your repayment obligations and guarantee effective financial planning moving forward. How to Pay Your EIDL Loan Online Paying your EIDL loan online is a straightforward process that can help you stay on top of your financial responsibilities. To get started, sign in or create an account at pay.gov, then locate the SBA 1201 Borrower Payment form. Enter your SBA loan number and the payment amount on the form. Choose a payment method such as ACH, PayPal, or debit card, as credit card payments aren’t accepted. You can set up one-time or recurring payments based on your preferred frequency. Remember to make your payment within 25 days of the due date to advance the payment date and avoid late fees. Keep in mind that interest continues to accrue during the deferment period, which lasts up to 30 months. Steps to Create a Pay.gov Account Creating a Pay.gov account is crucial for managing your EIDL payments effectively. To get started, head to the Pay.gov website and select “Create an Account,” where you’ll need to provide your name, date of birth, and your SBA loan number. Once you’ve entered this information and followed the prompts, you’ll gain access to various payment options for your loan. Account Creation Process To start the account creation process on Pay.gov, visit the website and select the “Sign Up” option. You’ll be prompted to enter personal information, including your name, date of birth, and email address. Make sure you have your SBA loan number handy, as it’s needed during registration. After you’ve filled out the required information, take a moment to carefully review the terms and conditions before submitting your account application. Once your account is successfully created, you can log in to manage your EIDL loan payments online. Pay.gov offers various payment methods, including ACH transfers, PayPal, or debit cards, making it easy and convenient to stay on top of your loan obligations. Required Information Details When you’re ready to create your Pay.gov account, start by visiting the website and selecting the “Create an Account” option. You’ll need to provide personal information, including your name, date of birth, and your SBA loan number, which you can find in your RAPID portal or original loan documents. After entering this required information, you’ll set up a secure username and password for your account. Once your account is created, it enables you to make your EIDL loan payments online, with options like ACH or debit card. Remember to keep your login credentials secure, as you’ll need them to access your account and manage future payments efficiently. Accessing Payment Options Accessing payment options for your EIDL loan becomes straightforward once you create a Pay.gov account. To start, visit the Pay.gov website and select the “Sign Up” option. You’ll need to provide personal information, including your name, date of birth, and SBA loan number. If you can’t find your loan number, check the RAPID portal, your original loan documents, or contact Disaster Loan Servicing Centers. After setting up your account, you can access the SBA 1201 Borrower Payment form to make payments via ACH, PayPal, or debit card. Remember to keep your login credentials secure and check your account regularly for updates. Step Action Notes 1. Visit Pay.gov Go to the website Look for “Sign Up” 2. Provide Info Enter your details Include SBA loan number 3. Make Payments Access SBA 1201 form Use ACH, PayPal, or debit Completing the SBA 1201 Borrower Payment Form Completing the SBA 1201 Borrower Payment form is a crucial step in managing your Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) payments. To guarantee a smooth process, follow these steps: Sign in or create an account at pay.gov, the SBA’s preferred platform. Input your SBA loan number and payment amount accurately to avoid delays. Choose a payment method—options include ACH, PayPal, or debit card, as credit cards aren’t accepted. Decide whether to set up a one-time or recurring payment based on your financial needs. After you fill out the form, review all details carefully before submitting. This guarantees your payment processes correctly and on time, helping you stay on track with your EIDL obligations. Making Payments by Mail Making payments by mail for your Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) requires careful attention to detail to guarantee your payment is processed correctly. Start by preparing a check or money order made out to “U.S. Small Business Administration.” Don’t forget to include your 10-digit SBA loan number in the memo field to guarantee proper allocation. Mail your payment to the designated SBA address in Portland, OR, as specified in your loan documentation. It’s crucial to send payments well in advance of the due date to account for possible postal delays and avoid late fees. Retain a copy of your payment and any tracking information. Regularly check your loan balance through the SBA’s Capital Access Financial System to confirm receipt and application. Using Bank Bill Pay Services Using bank bill pay services can streamline your EIDL loan payment process, offering a convenient alternative to mailing checks. To get started, follow these steps: Add the SBA as a payee in your bank’s online banking platform, using your loan number as the account number. Follow your bank’s specific procedures for processing payments to avoid any delays or issues. Make sure the payment includes the correct loan number in the memo field, ensuring proper application to your EIDL account. Keep a record of your payment confirmation from the bank to maintain accurate financial records. Setting Up Payment Reminders To guarantee you never miss a payment on your EIDL loan, setting up payment reminders is essential. Start by adding calendar reminders for your loan payment due dates, which begin 30 months after loan origination. You can likewise utilize the online payment system at pay.gov to schedule one-time or recurring payments, making it easier to manage your cash flow. Be sure to regularly check your EIDL loan balance through the SBA’s Capital Access Financial System or the MySBA Loan Portal to stay updated on your outstanding amount and upcoming obligations. Mark your calendar for the end of the deferment period and consider setting reminders at least a week in advance to prepare for any necessary adjustments to your finances. Keeping Track of Loan Documentation Keeping track of your loan documentation is crucial for maintaining compliance with SBA requirements and guaranteeing smooth management of your EIDL loan. Here are key items to monitor closely: Itemized Receipts and Contracts: Keep detailed records of all expenses related to the EIDL loan, as the SBA may request these for verification. Loan Agreement Details: Document the terms, interest rates, and repayment schedules for easy reference and effective financial planning. Tax Documentation Alignment: Confirm your loan usage records align with your tax documents to support compliance. Business Changes: Document any changes in business structure or ownership and notify the SBA without delay to maintain compliance with reporting requirements. Regularly reviewing these documents prepares you for potential audits and keeps your financial management on track. Understanding Payment Allocation Grasping how your EIDL loan payments are distributed is essential for effective financial management and compliance with SBA requirements. Each payment consists of both principal and interest, so comprehending this breakdown helps you track your loan progress. During the deferment period, interest accrues, potentially increasing your total loan balance even without payments. Once payments start, closely monitor how much of each payment reduces the principal versus covering interest. Properly allocating payments not just decreases your outstanding balance but additionally minimizes overall interest paid over the loan’s life. Keeping transparent records of these allocations is critical, ensuring compliance with SBA guidelines and aiding in your personal financial planning, which ultimately supports your business’s growth and sustainability. Seeking Assistance for EIDL Management As you manage your EIDL loan payments, it’s important to know that personalized support is available to help you navigate your repayment obligations. Utilizing these resources can greatly ease your experience, allowing you to focus on your business. Here are some options to evaluate: SBA Support Teams: Reach out to dedicated teams for guidance on loan terms and conditions. MySBA Loan Portal: Use this platform to make payments and access important loan details easily. Financial Counseling: Seek assistance in managing your business finances effectively. Eligibility Clarification: Engage with support services to understand funding eligibility and streamline repayments. Frequently Asked Questions How Do I Make a Payment on My EIDL Loan? To make a payment on your EIDL loan, you can use the SBA’s online payment method through pay.gov. Create an account and complete the SBA 1201 Borrower Payment form. On the other hand, you can pay via bank bill pay by adding the SBA as a payee, using your loan number. If you prefer mailing, send a check to “U.S. Small Business Administration,” noting your loan number in the memo. What Is the 20% Rule for SBA? The 20% Rule for SBA loans requires any owner with 20% or more ownership to provide a personal guaranty for loans exceeding $200,000. This rule guarantees that significant stakeholders have a personal stake in repaying the loan. If you own a substantial portion of your business, comprehending this rule is essential, as failure to comply can lead to loan denial or complications during the approval process, impacting your overall financial strategy. Is There a Penalty for Early Payoff of EIDL Loan? No, there’s no penalty for early payoff of your EIDL loan. You can pay off your loan in full at any time without incurring extra fees. This can help you save on overall interest since it continues to accrue during deferment. Though your monthly payment amount won’t change, paying early will shorten your loan term, allowing you to achieve financial relief sooner. Adjust your repayment strategy as your financial situation permits for ideal savings. Will Eidl Ever Be Forgiven? EIDL loans won’t be forgiven, as they aren’t designed for that purpose. Unlike grants, these loans require repayment regardless of your business’s financial status. All borrowers, guarantors, and obligors must fulfill this obligation, and there’s no option for loan forgiveness or modification of repayment terms. For loans exceeding $25,000, collateral is additionally necessary, further emphasizing the importance of repaying the full amount as outlined in the loan agreement. Conclusion By actively managing your EIDL payments, you can guarantee timely repayment and avoid potential penalties. Utilize the MySBA Loan Portal to monitor your loan details, set up reminders for payment due dates, and choose a convenient payment method. Automating your payments can streamline the process, as staying organized with your loan documentation will help you keep track of important information. If you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to the COVID-EIDL Contact Center for support. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Manage Your EIDL Payment – A Step-by-Step Guide" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Dan Levy's follow-up to Schitt's Creek teams him with I Love LA creator Rachel Sennott for a comedy that, in the best tradition of crime shows, starts small and gets absolutely ridonculous. Laurie Metcalf stars as mom and matriarch Linda alongside Dan Levy's closeted gay minister Nicky and Taylor Ortega's chaos-magnet Morgan. Linda demands that the two of them get a piece of jewelry for their dying grandmother's last birthday, leading to a tiny bit of theft that finds them in debt to the mob. Not content to put the family through the wringer just once, Netflix has renewed it for a second season. In the meantime, enjoy these other crime comedies that try and mostly fail to keep things in the family. Good Girls (2018 – 2021) Beth, Ruby and Annie (Christina Hendricks, Retta, and Mae Whitman, respectively) are three moms in suburban Michigan, and they are all having serious money troubles. They're not exactly criminal masterminds, so they concoct a scheme to rob the local grocery store to solve them—a store that just happens to be serve as a front for a money-laundering operation. They make off with $500,000—but the gang leader whose money they unknowingly stole wants it back. Oh, and the store manager spotted one of their distinctive tattoos and is threatening blackmail. It's definitely not a sitcom, but it's a solid comedy-drama with a talented cast of characters who keep finding themselves in deeper and deeper trouble over the course of four seasons. Stream Good Girls on Netflix. Good Girls (2018 – 2021) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Deli Boys (2025 – ) Pakistani-American journalist and producer Abdullah Saeed has long been celebrated for his investigative reporting and his Vice documentaries, many of them dealing with the impacts of cannabis laws. That experience lends a unique verisimilitude to this comedy series following two brothers—hardworking Mir (Asif Ali) and hard partying Raj (Saagar Shaikh)—who, after the death of their wealthy father, learn that the bulk of their family's money comes not from the public-facing chain of delis, but from the illegal drug operation running behind the scenes. It's fast-paced and frequently very fun, and plays with the notion that the only way to make it in modern America is to live some kind of double life. Stream Deli Boys on Hulu. Deli Boys (2025 – ) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu Search Party (2016 – 2022) Alia Shawkat stars here as Dory Sief, an aimless millennial who decides, after seeing a missing-person poster for a college acquaintance, that she's going to make it her purpose to track down Chantal (Clare McNulty) with the extremely begrudging support of her friends. The show shifts focus from season to season, but it's really in the second that the similarities to Big Mistakes become most clear: While initially a darkly comic take on a Nancy Drew-style mystery, the show later finds the gang desperate to cover up a mostly unintentional murder. It's a funny, smart, and impressively weird oddity of a show. Stream Search Party on Netflix. Search Party at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix How to Get to Heaven From Belfast (2026 – ) How to Get to Heaven comes from Irish playwright and Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, though that earlier and justifiably beloved show will only moderately prepare you for the latest. Three high school friends from Belfast reunite after learning that their fourth bestie has died unexpectedly—except that maybe she didn't, a mixed blessing given that they all have life-ruining secrets that they were hoping to bury. Now they're off to investigate the mystery of the maybe-murder, and find themselves in way over their heads and in a complex web of lies, secrets, and old vendettas. The tone is all over the place in a way that somehow works, and the show has a beating heart beneath the absolute chaos. Stream How to Get to Heaven From Belfast on Netflix. How to Get to Heaven From Belfast (2026 – ) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Vincenzo (2021) Vincenzo reads like a typical crime drama with just a bit of a twist: Song Joong-ki plays Park Joo-hyung AKA Vincenzo Cassano, Korean by birth but later adopted by an Italian family; as an adult he becomes a lawyer and Mafia consigliere. When the head of the Cassano Family dies, the Don's biological son looks to clean house, forcing Vincenzo to flee to Korea to claim a large cache of money he'd stashed. This is when it gets weirder and more interesting: The money's hidden under a commercial building full of weird and quirky tenants, and circumstances soon put Vincenzo at odds with the pharmaceutical conglomerate that has its eyes on the complex. What started as an unconventional mob story becomes a story about a guy using his mafia skills (the show doesn't shy away from violence) to battle capitalism on behalf of some charmingly goofy new friends. Stream Vincenzo on Netflix. Vincenzo (2021) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Barry (2018 – 2023) Bill Hader won a couple of Emmys for his performance as Barry Berkman, a depressed and anxious hitman who discovers a love of acting that leads him to look for a life beyond killing people, even though he's rather good at it, and keeps getting drawn back in. Barry's mentor and father figure in his quest to rebuild his life on the stage is the wildly eccentric Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler, who also won an Emmy here), who's entirely supportive of Barry—until he learns of his protégé's double life. Stream Barry on HBO Max. Barry (2018 – 2023) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max Bad Sisters (2022 – 2024) A pitch-dark and pitch-perfect comedy, the Irish import Bad Sisters picked up several well-deserved Emmy nominations in its first year. Writer and co-creator Sharon Horgan leads the cast as Eva Garvey, oldest of five sisters, including Grace (Anne-Marie Duff), who's married to John Paul, an abusive and isolating husband. When the dude winds up dead under rather suspicious circumstances, down-on-his-luck insurance investigator Tom (Brian Gleeson) starts poking his nose into things. We know the sisters definitely wanted John Paul dead, but did they actually do the deed? Tom's family business will go under if he has to pay out on the life insurance policy, so he's very motivated to pin the (potential) crime on at least one of the women. Stream Bad Sisters on Apple TV. Bad Sisters (2022 – 2024) at Apple TV Learn More Learn More at Apple TV The Gentlemen (2024 – ) This is very much a Guy Ritchie show inspired by a Guy Ritchie film—which ought to tell you all you need to know about the vibe (polished, snarky, and ultra-violent). Theo James plays army officer and Eddie Horniman (I believe I mentioned Guy Ritchie?), heir to the Horniman estate (there it is again) who, upon the death of his father, is named the Duke of Halstead. He learns that dad was tied to various criminal enterprises, and that his scouse brother is millions of pounds in debt to a drug dealer. What else is the dapper, military-trained Duke to do but learn to navigate the violent underworld while looking cool? Stream The Gentlemen on Netflix. The Gentlemen (2024 – ) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix The Sticky (2024) Though it's tempting to find questionable taste in setting a caper show in Quebec and then having it involve maple syrup, The Sticky is loosely based on The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist—a real thing that happened in 2012. Margo Martindale (Justified) plays Ruth Landry, a maple syrup farmer struggling since her husband's incapacitation and running up against a greedy businessman trying to buy her land out from under her. She meets dopey security guard Remy Bouchard (Guillaume Cyr), who's been stealing a barrel or two at a time from the warehouse where he works, and then mobster Mike Byrne (Chris Diamontopoulos) who, she realizes, could provide the muscle needed for a heist. In the best tradition of something like Fargo, the foolproof plan to steal a bunch of syrup gets well out of hand, very quickly. The show ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but there's still a relatively complete story in its single season. Stream The Sticky on Prime Video. The Sticky (2024) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Brothers Sun (2024) A fun action-comedy and member of the Netflix one-season-and-done club, The Brothers Sun stars Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh as Eileen Sun, the exiled matriarch of a family of Taiwanese gangsters. She'd come to Los Angeles years before, taking a son, Bruce (Sam Song Li), who grew up knowing little of his origins and has few ambitions beyond becoming great at improv comedy. An assassination attempt sends his older brother to L.A., drawing Eileen and Bruce back into the criminal fold, with rival factions coming at them from every side. Stream The Brothers Sun on Netflix. The Brothers Sun (2024) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix View the full article

A reader writes: I manage a fully remote team. It can be difficult to draw a line between work and life when you work from home, so I try to emphasize the importance of work-life balance within my group. I don’t send emails outside of traditional work hours, I’m flexible about appointments, and I encourage my team to use all their vacation time before year-end. I have a new employee, Jolene. Day 3 of her first week, Jolene said she would work on something “later tonight, after dinner.” I reminded her then that I don’t expect her to work on this project at night – if she ever needs more time on something, she can let me know. Today is the start of her second week, and she just told me how much time she spent reviewing her notes over the weekend. How can I make it clear that she is not responsible for working on these (not-high-priority) projects outside of traditional work hours? (And working nights and weekends does not impress me.) I’m worried that she will start telling other people on my team about her late hours, and they’ll think the expectation is changing for them. I also don’t want her to get burned out, right as she’s getting up to speed. For context, Jolene has freelanced for a while, and this is her first full-time job in about five years. I wonder if she is still suffering from the old “Cult of Busy.” I answer this question — and two others — over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here. Other questions I’m answering there today include: My colleague apologizes constantly for missing work Interviewing when there’s already a candidate who’s “acting” in the role The post I don’t want my new hire working extra hours appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article