End of Year Spending – November 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, many businesses, including yours, are starting to review their budgets and are starting to explore clever ways to invest before the year ends. Tactical spending in areas like safety, real estate, payroll, technology, and employee benefits can not only reduce tax liability but can also position companies for growth that lasts long term. To help businesses make the most of this critical time, we have asked experts right here in Lincoln to give their insight and top advice for end-of-year business strategies to drive success into 2026.

Finish the Year Strong: Optimize Your Business Systems with Alpha Zed Business Services (AlphaZedServices.com)

As the year winds down, business owners naturally shift into reflection mode. November is a particularly good time to evaluate what’s working and what needs attention. Making small improvements now can build confidence and give your business momentum heading into the new year.

One of the best ways to prepare for a strong start is by improving your internal systems, especially through automation and CRM tools. A good CRM not only stores client data but can automate key tasks, saving you time and money. For example, when a lead fills out a form, automation can send a scheduling link, notify the right team member, and follow up automatically if there’s no response. You can also automate appointment reminders, billing, onboarding forms, and even emails for birthdays or special promotions.

Many businesses still waste time on avoidable inefficiencies: back-and-forth scheduling, repeated data entry, missing follow-ups, or duplicating work because of poor communication. Even something as simple as a missed contact form response can cost you business. These are all issues that better systems can solve.

That’s where Alpha Zed Business Services comes in. Their team helps businesses streamline operations through smart automation, CRM integration, and workflow optimization. Whether it’s setting up automated lead tracking, connecting your website forms to your sales pipeline, or consolidating multiple tools into one efficient system, Alpha Zed tailors solutions to fit your unique business goals. By improving how your systems communicate and function, you save time, reduce costs, and focus on what truly drives growth.

As the year ends, it’s also smart to look at how many tools and subscriptions you’re using. If you’re paying for multiple apps and entering the same information over and over, it may be time to consolidate. An all-in-one platform could reduce costs while increasing efficiency.

Finally, review your budget and tech spend. Are you paying for tools you don’t use? Could one system do the job of three? Cutting waste and improving systems now can lead to big savings and smoother operations in the year ahead, with Alpha Zed helping you every step of the way.

Strategic Real Estate Planning for 2026

As the year comes to a close, many business owners are evaluating expenses and setting goals for the new year. Real estate decisions, whether renewing a lease, expanding, or purchasing property, often play a key role in shaping those plans.

At Greenleaf Commercial Real Estate (GreenLeafCommercial.com), we help businesses navigate every stage of their real estate journey, from site selection and space planning to cost analysis, lease negotiation, and tenant improvements. Our goal is to make each transition as efficient and beneficial as possible, setting our clients up for long-term success.

“Every business has its own story and strategy,” shared Halie Sutherland, Marketing Director and Sales Associate. “We take the time to understand your goals and challenges, then align the real estate process around what matters most to you. Whether it’s finding your first location or expanding to your next, we’re here to make that move confident and seamless.”

With deep local market knowledge and a client-first approach, Greenleaf Commercial Real Estate remains a trusted partner for businesses investing in their growth and future.

Smart Year-End Planning for Payroll, HR, and Compliance

As the year wraps up, it’s a smart time for businesses to review payroll and HR processes. This helps ensure tax payments and filings are up to date, especially if a third party is handling them. Just because something’s always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s still compliant. Rules change, and mistakes can lead to penalties and interest, which is why PayWorks (PayWorksLLC.com) is here to help! They have given some advice to help the end of your year run smoothly!

• It’s a great time to confirm that employee information is current before preparing W-2s. Something as simple as an outdated address can cause delays.

• Throughout the year, we often see employers let people start working before completing their new hire paperwork and that employee ends up quitting before they ever get their paperwork completed. It’s very difficult to get an employee to come back and finish once they’ve quit or been terminated.

• Another common issue is overlooking 1099 filings. If you’re required to send one and don’t, you may lose the ability to deduct that expense.

Proper year-end planning also helps with benefits. When you understand upcoming tax law changes and have accurate payroll data, you can make better decisions about employee benefits.

Planning gives you more control and confidence. For businesses in Lincoln, changes from the “Big Beautiful Bill” have already begun to take effect along with the changes from the Nebraska Health Families and Workplaces Act that took effect October 1st. These updates will impact how payroll is handled. If you’re still managing your own payroll, it’s worth checking in with a tax advisor to make sure you’re compliant.

Taking time now to review your payroll and HR systems can prevent costly mistakes and help you start the new year with less stress and more clarity. Get a hold of PayWorks today!

“Re-Invest” in Your Business

As the year wraps up, it’s a great time to review where your business could benefit from reinvestment. Here are three key areas to consider:

Upgrade Equipment (If You Need It)

Passage of the OBBB this year made increased depreciation deductions permanent, making this a good time to upgrade tech or equipment. However, you should only invest in this area if it’ll improve business operations – spending this money just for the tax write-off has significant negative implications. Use cash when possible to avoid interest costs that eat into future profits.

Pay Down Debt & Pad Cash Reserves

Had a strong year? Use some of those profits to reduce business loans or credit lines. This lowers your interest burden, frees up cash for future growth, and reduces exposure to debt risk. Also consider moving cash you do not need immediately to a high-yield savings or certificate of deposit account. This will help secure the business during tough economic times.

Invest in Your Team

Your people are your biggest asset. Consider performance-based raises, bonuses, and training. These boost morale, improve retention, and help identify areas for improvement heading into the new year.

Take Action Now:

Review your financials, meet with your CPA, and make a plan before year-end. Year-end tax planning with SP Group (SPGrouppc.com) can help you prepare for the tax season(s) to come and identify improvement areas in the business. Effective planning will also help make sure your tax obligations are taken care of ahead of time so you can focus on running your business. Strategic spending now can set your business up for a stronger, more profitable year ahead.

Cruise & Associates (Cruise-Associates.com): Your Guide to Smarter Year-End Business Planning

Taxes are rarely anyone’s favorite activity, but as the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time for business owners to start reviewing their financial situations with an accountant. The holiday season is busy for everyone; that’s where Cruise & Associates comes in. Their team ensures your financials are right where they need to be so you can stay at the top of your game heading into 2026. Take advantage of their expert advice and plan.

As business tends to slow down this time of year, it’s also a great opportunity to invest in your people. Focus on training your staff to be their best. Having a strong, knowledgeable team is an investment that pays off for years to come. Encourage excellent customer service to build meaningful connections and keep clients coming back.

Next, evaluate your expenses. Identify which costs have increased, and determine what should stay and what can go. With prices rising across the board, trimming unnecessary expenses will strengthen your business’s financial health in the long run.

Finally, review your equipment. If anything needs updating, consider starting the new year with fresh, reliable tools, but only if those upgrades are necessary. Whenever possible, use cash for purchases rather than borrowing funds. New equipment can improve productivity and efficiency, fueling even more growth in the coming year.

Cruise & Associates practices what they preach, which is why they’ve earned a reputation as one of the most trusted and committed business spending advisors right here in the heart of Lincoln.
For the sake of your business, end-of-year spending planning is more than just a financial exercise. But it is an opportunity to strengthen systems, setting the stage for growth, and to support your employees. Whether it is improving technology, investing in training, improving workplace safety, or refining tax strategies, right here in Lincoln, businesses have a large amount of resources to help guide decisions. With the right partners and a forward-thinking approach, you can turn your end-of-year spending into a jumpstart for a successful new year.