August Skilled Trade Rescue Money Muscle Newsletter Series
Hector figured the foreman title would be a turning point.
And it was—just not in the way he expected.
More respect.
A raise.
A shot at leading a crew the right way.
And yeah—he got the clipboard and the GC’s number. But what he didn’t get was a second to breathe.
He’s still on the tools.
Pricing out materials, tracking down receipts, calming a pissed-off client, keeping a green apprentice from wrecking the schedule—and texting the GC at 6:03am with a heads-up the site’s not ready.
And every mistake?
Lands on his lap. Doesn’t matter if it was a supplier, the weather, or someone else’s shortcut.
His crew thinks he’s “moved up.”
But His family sees him less.
And his bank account? Looks similar to two years ago.
“More stress. More hours. Same damn bank balance.”
Sound familiar?
🧱 The Pressure Vice
Being a crew lead or foreman means more pressure from every direction:
- You’re the buffer between management and the crew
- You’re still producing, while also planning and problem-solving
- You’re on the hook for budgets you didn’t set
- And if your team falls behind—it’s your rep, your bonus, and your future on the line
Some of you even float gear costs, cover lunches, or fix mistakes out of your own pocket.
If no one mentored you about your finances
If no one walked you through negotiating bonuses or profit shares.
If no one showed you how to protect your money when the numbers go sideways.
Then, Skilled Trade Rescue is your guide!
And the Money Muscle Mini Course is a great kickstart to the key skills needed.
Get the Money Muscle Mini Course Today! It's FREE
Leading Without a Plan is a Fast Track to Burnout
You’re good at the work.
But that’s not enough anymore.
To actually win in this phase of your career, you need systems that protect your time, your money, and your crew.
Your job is to lead. And lead smart.
Lead Smart, Get Paid Faster
Foremen don’t just manage tools and timelines. You manage risk.
And in this industry, risk often shows up in the form of cash flow chaos.
Here’s how the best crew leads protect themselves and their teams.
🔍 1. Know Your Daily Burn Rate — and Track It Ruthlessly
Over 60% of contractors report serious cash flow issues.
Especially at the tail end of a busy season.
That’s why smart leads know exactly what the cost of doing business per day.
As well as staying consistent at your business practices - invoicing on time!
What gets tracked gets managed. And what gets managed stays profitable.
🧱 2. Avoid Personal Debt - And Step out of the Cycle
Too many crew leads dip into their own pocket to float project costs —
tools, materials, and more.
Others are using debt to bridge the slow seasons, without realizing the true cost to their own financial freedom.
If you’re taking business-level risks, protect yourself like a business!
Take the Money Muscle course to guide you through the best steps to financial freedom and being able to lead from a place of financial security and wealth.
📅 3. Don’t Wait — Build in Payment Protection
Construction workers wait 83 days on average to get paid.
And 42% of contractors say they pay vendors before they get paid themselves.
That means you’re carrying the financial stress for the whole site. (PWC/Levelset). Check out Martin's Round-Up to learn more.
Here’s what you can do:
• Early payment incentives: Offer your customers a discount for paying invoices in net 10 instead of net 30 or 60. As little as .5% can improve cash flow.
• Use tools like LevelSet to assure preliminary lien notice complience for your state which can protect your receivables and generally assure faster overall payment.
Real talk: Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. If the GC or client delays payments often, it’s your warning.
📚 4. Champion Training—For Your Crew
Foremen are the linchpin of site morale.
If your crew’s burned out, bored, or half out the door—train them.
Training is a win-win: it boosts loyalty and improves jobsite results.
“Demand for training doesn’t stop at certification. Continuous learning is essential for many trade careers as technology continues redefining the skills tradespeople need. Yet only 41% of blue-collar men and 38% of women are satisfied with training opportunities at work.”
(Randstad USA, 2024)
If your company isn’t prioritizing continued learning—say something.
Great crews want to grow. That’s worth a conversation with the boss to carve out hours or budget for real learning.
For them. And For you, too.
Join Skilled Trade Rescue for the Mentorship
Most Foreman and crew leads don’t get a financial roadmap.
They get handed the stress—and expected to figure it all out.
We’re changing that.
âś… Join a Meet-up (mentor session) with Martin, a seasoned trades leader who knows by experience how to improve jobsite performance, build wealth, and finally start winning without wearing yourself out.
✅ Sign up for the free Money Muscle Mini Course—built specifically for tradespeople like you - with the button link below.
âś… Connect with other trade professionals
Join Skilled Trade Rescue and the get the Money Muslce Mini Course
Coming Next Week: Money Talk for Our Business Builders and Owners.
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