Starting Up Your Cleaning Business
Hi Rachel,
Actually, I wouldn't start your business buying software.
The most important things to do in the start up of your business will be...
1. Get customers, and schedule cleaning jobs.
2. Make sure you have the tools and materials to do the jobs right.
3. Get more customers.
If you spend your first 6-12 months focusing on these three points, you will be able to get accounting software.
Right now, unless you already have business income, I'd just keep accounting on paper.
If you're more comfortable on the computer, use a spreadsheet. OpenOffice.org has a free spreadsheet that works on Mac and PC.
You can create professional looking invoices in the text part of OO.org.
When starting up, spend as little time and money as possible on the business workings, and spend most of your time inside of your business on the things that grow the business.
Always think "productivity".
Always do things that earn income.