Every small difference is unique, but they all face the same issue of worrying about how they will manage their finances. There are several ways that businesses can give themselves a financial overhaul by looking deeper into some of their processes, but there are some additional things that they can do in their day-to-day management to improve their financial situation.
Here are some practical, everyday practices that can be done to help small business owners to alleviate the stress of juggling business finances.
Be Careful Not to MIX Business and Pleasure
When it comes to business finances, there are lots of reasons that personal and business accounts shouldn’t be mixed- including personal liability, tax issues, and incohesive accounting records.
Even when business finances struggle, it can be tempting to top up with personal finances. However, doing so could mean having to enlist the support of a consumer bankruptcy specialist on account of personal financial issues caused by this. Instead, try to maintain a clear separation of personal savings and the business budget.
Stay rigid with these figures and ensure that personal credit cards are not used for business expenses and vice versa. This will also help significantly when it comes to tax season!
Pay Things Back on Time
Personal bills being left can cause financial chaos and that is the same for business expenses. They should be paid on time every time as not doing so can be detrimental to a business long term.
If necessary, try to keep payment dates to the same day every month so they don’t come as a surprise- set reminders beforehand so that the money is available. Paying loans and credit cards back late can create larger debts as they will often come with increasing late fees if not paid on time.
Paying bills on time can make the biggest difference for small businesses as they can bridge the gap between being in debt and making a profit.
Make a Habit Out of Being Frugal
Frugality in business doesn’t mean not spending money at all, but it does mean being mindful about how the money is spent and where. This also means understanding the difference between spending and investment. For example- is it entirely necessary to spend hundreds of dollars on new furniture when there are places that sell high-quality second-hand office furniture? Are there other areas that can create savings such as utilities? On the contrary, when buying a car, is it always better to buy cheaper when, logically, this car will end up needing a lot of work and, therefore, a lot more expensive. And investing in skills that you don’t have, such as getting professional business signs & vehicle wraps can pay off in the long term too. So, it’s important to invest in things that will have a good return on investment.
When managing money it is important to understand which areas need investment and the areas in which savings can be made.
The greater the understanding of business finances and cash flow, the easier it will feel to be prepared to make smart money management decisions. Small business owners should prepare to be proactive and hands-on when it comes to managing the finances and preventing financial ruin down the line.
