You know you should be saving money in your personal life. But dis you know that you should also be setting aside some money in your business? You can then use this as a cushion and to protect yourself from unexpected expenses. This can also make sure you don’t have to get a loan. Getting a loan can be a long process and is usually a bad idea when your business needs the money now. Here are some tips on how to build up a cash reserve.
As a general rule, it’s important to have at least three to six months of cash to cover operating expenses in your account. Depending on what stage your business is in, this can sometimes be difficult to maintain. If you’re a startup then try and cut costs as much as possible until you’re able to set aside more cash.
Try to avoid loans and credit cards as much as possible. Interest rates and late fees can be detrimental to your reserve. These will continue to suck from your cash reserve, even in slower months. If you do have loans or credit cards, stick to paying in full as much as possible. This helps you to avoid building up on interest and fees as well as helping you to pay off your balance sooner.
If you have trouble sticking to a budget, ask your bookkeeper for help or set one up yourself with your Quickbooks Online account. Make sure to add a specific amount to add to your cash reserve each month.
The most important takeaway is to keep an amount in your bank that you’re comfortable with. Always weigh the pros and cons if you have to make a large investment. Take into account if this will help your business to grow or if it’s not needed right now. Check out these tips to learn more about saving your business’s money.