Plan payments before cash gets tight
A payment calendar helps distinguish available cash from cash already committed.
Record commitments first
Capture bills when received and record the agreed due dates. Include payroll, debt payments, tax obligations, and recurring operating costs in a near-term cash schedule. A bank balance without these commitments can create a misleading sense of capacity.
Match timing to realistic collections
List expected receipts by timing and confidence. Compare the resulting cash balance with scheduled payments. Pay within agreed terms and consider early-payment discounts and supplier relationships. Do not treat a forecast as permission to miss contractual obligations.
Review the gaps regularly
Update the schedule as invoices, receipts, and assumptions change. Identify a shortfall early enough to discuss collections, timing, or financing options. Track forecast versus actual cash to improve the next version. A profitable month and a cash-positive month can be different things.
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