Friday Financial Freedom Finder newsletter

9 finance mistakes that kill your business

As a business owner, you're constantly tasked with making important decisions that can affect the profitability and sustainability of your company. While there are many factors to consider, making smart financial choices is critical. Unfortunately, too many business owners make common mistakes that can hurt their bottom line. In this post, we'll discuss nine of the most common finance mistakes and how to avoid them. By understanding these pitfalls and taking steps to mitigate them, you can place your business on a stronger financial footing and improve your chances for success.

1. Not Having a Plan

Having a business plan is essential to the success of any business, yet so many businesses either don't have one, or they have one that is outdated and no longer relevant to their current situation. A business plan should be a living document that is updated regularly as your business grows and changes. It should outline your business goals and strategies, and how you intend to achieve them.

Without a business plan, it can be difficult to make informed decisions about where to allocate your resources. Additionally, a business plan can help you to secure funding from investors or lenders. While it may seem like creating a business plan is a lot of work upfront, it will save you time and hassle in the long run.

How to Create a Business Plan

There are many different ways to create a business plan, but there are some essential elements that should be included regardless of the format you choose. Here are some of the key components of a successful business plan:

1. Executive Summary: This is a brief overview of your business plan that should include your mission statement, company description, target market, and competitive analysis.

2. Company Overview: This section should provide more detailed information about your company, including your history, structure, ownership, and team members.

3. Market Analysis: In this section, you will need to provide an overview of the industry you operate in as well as information about your target market. This will help you to identify your competition and understand the needs of your target market.

4. Sales and Marketing Strategies: This is where you will detail how you plan on marketing and selling your product or service. Be sure to include information about your pricing strategy and any promotional campaigns you have planned.

5. Financial Projections: In this section, you will need to provide financial information about your business, including historical financial data (if available), projected income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. If you are seeking funding from investors or lenders, this section will be especially important.

6 . Appendix: The appendix is where you can include any additional information that didn't fit into another section of the business plan but could be relevant for reference purposes. This might include everything from resumes to contracts to permits .

If you are not sure where to start with creating your own business plan, there are plenty of templates and resources available online . You can also hire a professional consultant to help you create a custom-tailored business plan for your specific needs .

A well-thought-out business plan is essential for any businesses success . By taking the time to create a comprehensive plan , you can save yourself time and headache down the road . While it may seem like a lot of work upfront , trust us - it's worth it.

2. Not Tracking Your Expenses

As a business owner, you need to be aware of where every penny is going. This includes both your income and your expenditure. Without this level of visibility, it becomes very difficult to make informed decisions about how to reduce costs, manage your finances and grow your business. In this blog post, we'll take a look at why tracking your business expenses is so important, and explain how you can go about doing it effectively.

Why track your expenses?

There are two key reasons why you should make a point of tracking all of your business expenses:

- To keep on top of your financial situation: if you don't know where the money is going out, it's very difficult to get a clear picture of your overall financial situation. This information is vital in terms of making informed decisions about where to cut costs, and when/how to reinvest in your business.

- To identify areas of overspending: if you're not tracking your expenses, it's very easy for small regular payments to slip under the radar. This can lead to significant overspending in certain areas without you even realising it. By keeping tabs on all outgoing payments, you can ensure that everything is accounted for and avoid any nasty surprises further down the line.

How to track your expenses effectively

There are a number of different ways that you can track your business expenses. The most important thing is to find a system that works for you and that you will actually stick to! Some common options include using:

- A simple spreadsheet: this could be either an Excel doc or Google Sheets. You can set up a separate sheet for each month, with columns for different expense categories (e.g. travel, materials, marketing etc.). This method works well if you only have a small number of transactions to track each month.

- Accounting software: there are various accounting software packages available specifically designed for small businesses (e.g. Quickbooks, Freshbooks etc.). These enable you to track both income and expenditure in one place, and can provide valuable insights and reports on where money is being spent within your business. This method is best suited to businesses with more complex financial situations.

- A dedicated expenses app: there are also various apps available that enable you to quickly and easily track all of your business expenses on the go (e.g. Expensify, Receipt Bank etc.). This can be a great option if you travel frequently for work or have a lot of customer facing expenditure (e.g. entertaining clients).

No matter which method(s) you decide to use, there are a few key things that you should always remember when tracking your expenses:

- Make sure that you do it regularly: ideally, you should aim to record every single expense as soon as it's incurred. This might not always be possible (e.g. if you're out and about without access to your laptop), but try to make it part of your daily routine so that it doesn't become a chore.

- Keep all receipts: whether you're using an app or spreadsheet, having digital copies of all receipts will make life much easier (and will help if HMRC ever come knocking!). Many apps now enable you to photograph receipts using just your smartphone – no need for physical copies at all!

- Categorise carefully: categorising expenses correctly will make it much easier to analyse where money is being spent within your business (more on this below). It's worth taking some time upfront to decide on which categories make sense for your particular business – and then sticking with them!

Once you've been tracking your expenses for a while, you'll start to build up valuable data that can be used to improve the way that you run your business. For example, by analysing where money is being spent each month, you may identify areas where costs could be reduced or potential new revenue streams could be explored. Regularly reviewing this information will enable you to make better decisions about how to invest (or not invest) both time and money in your business going forwards. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!  

3. Not Saving for a Rainy Day

As a small business owner, you are always looking for ways to save money and cut costs. However, one area where you should not skimp is in saving for a rainy day. Unexpected expenses can pop up at any time, and if you are not prepared for them, they can quickly put your business in jeopardy. That is why it is so important to have an emergency fund that you can tap into when unexpected expenses arise.

Why You Need an Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is a vital part of any small business's financial planning. It provides a cushion of funds that can be used to cover unexpected expenses, such as repairs, replacement equipment, or unplanned downtime. Having an emergency fund gives you peace of mind knowing that you have the resources available to weather any storm.

How Much Should You Have in Your Emergency Fund?

As a general rule of thumb, your emergency fund should cover three to six months' worth of living expenses. However, the amount you ultimately decide to set aside will depend on a number of factors, including the stability of your income, the nature of your business, and your personal circumstances. If you are self-employed or have a volatile income stream, you may want to err on the side of caution and set aside enough to cover six months' worth of living expenses. Similarly, if your business is seasonal or cyclical in nature, you may want to have a larger emergency fund to help tide you over during lean times.

No one ever knows when an emergency will strike—but being prepared can make all the difference. As a small business owner, saving for a rainy day should be one of your top priorities. By setting aside money in an emergency fund, you can rest assured knowing that you have the resources available to weather any storm.

4. Not Investing in Your Business

The key to any business' success is growth. If a business can't grow, it will stagnate and eventually die. That's why it's so important for businesses to reinvest some of their profits back into the company in order to fuel its growth. reinvesting in your business can help you to expand your operations, hire new employees, or develop new products or services.

One mistake that businesses make is not investing enough in their own growth. They may think that they can save money by not reinvesting, but in the long run, this will hurt their business. A lack of reinvestment will stunt the growth of a company and make it difficult to compete with other businesses who are actively growing.

Businesses need to be proactive about their growth and make sure that they are reinvesting in their company on a regular basis. This will ensure that their business continues to grow and succeed in the long term. 

Investing in your business's growth is essential for its long-term success. By reinvesting some of your profits back into your company, you can fuel its expansion and help it to keep up with its competitors. If you don't invest in your business's growth, you run the risk of stunting its development and hindering its ability to compete in the marketplace. Make sure that you are proactive about your company's growth and regularly reinvesting in its future.

5. Not Having a Separate Business Bank Account

If you're a small business owner in the UK, one of the first things you need to do is open a separate bank account for your business. This may seem like a minor detail, but trust us, it's important. Here's why:

Keeping Personal and Business Finances Separate

The first and most obvious reason why you need a separate bank account for your business is to keep your personal and business finances separate. This is important for a number of reasons. First, it will make it easier come tax time to track your business expenses. Second, it will help you keep tabs on your business income and expenses so that you can make sound financial decisions for your business. Finally, keeping your personal and business finances separate will help to give your business a professional image.

Tracking Business Expenses

Another reason why having a separate bank account for your business is important is that it will help you keep track of your business expenses. This is important for two reasons. First, knowing where your money is going will help you to see where you can cut corners or save money. Second, tracking your expenses will help you to prepare accurate financial statements, which will be helpful come tax time or if you ever need to apply for a loan.

Building Business Credit

Another benefit of having a separate bank account for your business is that it can help you to build up business credit. This is important because it will make it easier for you to get loans or lines of credit in the future. Additionally, having good business credit will help you to get better terms on those loans, such as lower interest rates. To build up business credit, simply make sure to pay all of your bills on time and keep a good balance in your account.

As a small business owner in the UK, one of the first things you need to do is open a separate bank account for your business. This may seem like a minor detail, but trust us, it's important. Keeping personal and business finances separate, tracking expenses, and building up business credit are all important benefits that can be achieved by having a dedicated bank account for your small business. So don't delay - open a separate bank account for your small business today!

6. Not Keeping Good Financial Records

As a small business owner, it's important to keep tabs on your income and expenses. Not only will this help you make sound financial decisions for your business, but it will also be essential if you ever need to apply for a loan or line of credit. Lenders will want to see that you have good financial records in order to gauge whether or not you are a responsible borrower.

So what exactly should you be tracking?

Here are some key components of good financial record-keeping for small businesses in the UK:

Income: This can include sales from products or services, interest and investment income, government grants, and more. Be sure to keep track of when this income is received so that you can stay on top of your cash flow.

Expenses: This includes both one-time and recurring expenses like office rent, utility bills, inventory costs, etc. You'll want to keep track of both your variable and fixed expenses so that you can get a clear picture of where your money is going each month.

Budget: Having a budget is essential for keeping your spending in check. A budget will help you allocate your resources in the most efficient way possible and avoid overspending in any one area. It's best to review and update your budget on a monthly basis so that you can account for any changes in income or expenses.

Good financial record-keeping is crucial for any small business owner who wants to maintain a healthy business. By tracking your income and expenses, as well as creating and maintaining a budget, you'll be in a much better position to make sound financial decisions and avoid overspending. And if you ever need to apply for a loan or line of credit, having good financial records will be essential in demonstrating your responsibility to lenders.

7. Personal Guarantees

Many small business owners in the UK take out loans to help finance their operations. In some cases, these loans may require a cosigner or personal guarantor. This means that if the business defaults on the loan, the lender can come after the cosigner's or guarantor's personal assets, such as their home or car. While cosigning or personally guaranteeing loans may be necessary in some cases, doing so unnecessarily can put your personal assets at risk. Therefore, it is important to only cosign or personally guarantee loans when absolutely necessary and to understand the risks involved before doing so.

Risks of Cosigning or Personally Guaranteeing Loans

There are a few risks associated with cosigning or personally guaranteeing loans for your business. First, if your business defaults on the loan, the lender can attempt to collect from you personally. This means that your personal assets, such as your home or car, could be at risk. Second, even if you are not required to repay the loan, cosigning or guaranteeing it can still negatively impact your credit score. Third, if you Guarantee a loan and the borrower does not make payments as agreed, you will be held responsible for repaying the entire debt. Finally, if you die before the loan is repaid, your cosigner or estate will be responsible for repaying the debt.

As you can see, there are a number of risks associated with cosigning or guaranteeing loans for businesses. These risks should be carefully considered before agreeing to do so. In some cases, it may be necessary in order to obtain financing. However, in other cases, it may be possible to avoid cosigning or guaranteeing by working with a different lender or using collateral instead.

Cosigning or personally guaranteeing loans for businesses can be risky and should only be done when absolutely necessary. If you are considering cosigning or guaranteeing a loan, be sure to carefully consider all of the risks involved before doing so. Understand that if the borrower does not make payments as agreed, you will be held responsible for repaying the entire debt. Additionally, keep in mind that if something happens to you before the loan is repaid, your cosigner or estate will be held responsible for repayment. With this in mind, only agree to cosign or guarantee a loan if you are certain that you are comfortable with assuming these risks.

8. Not Having Adequate Insurance Coverage

As a small business owner, it is important to make sure that you have adequate insurance coverage for your business. This includes both property insurance and liability insurance. Property insurance protects your business in the event of damage to your property, such as your office or inventory. Liability insurance protects your business in the event that someone is injured on your property or you are sued for damages.

Having adequate insurance coverage is important for two main reasons. First, it protects your business financially in the event that something happens. Second, it shows potential customers that you are a responsible business owner who takes the necessary precautions to protect their safety.

Types of Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses

There are three main types of insurance coverage that small businesses should have: property insurance and liability insurance.

Property insurance protects your business in the event of damage to your property, such as your office or inventory. This type of insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or replacement if your property is damaged by a fire, flood, or other natural disaster. It can also help cover the cost of theft or vandalism.

Liability insurance protects your business in the event that someone is injured on your property or you are sued for damages. This type of insurance can help cover the cost of medical bills and legal fees if someone is injured at your business. It can also help cover the cost of damages if you are sued for negligence.

Employers Liability insurance covers the cost of compensating employees who are injured at or become ill through work. It is also a legal requirement if you have employees.

Adequate Insurance Coverage Is Essential for Any Small Business Owner As a small business owner, it is important to make sure that you have adequate insurance coverage for your business. This includes both property insurance and liability insurance. Property insurance protects your business in the event of damage to your property, such as your office or inventory. Liability insurance protects your business in the event that someone is injured on your property or you are sued for damages.

Having adequate insurance coverage is important for two main reasons. First, it protects your business financially in the event that something happens. Second, it shows potential customers that you are a responsible business owner who takes the necessary precautions to protect their safety. For more information on how to get adequate insurance coverage for your small business, contact ABC Insurance Company today.

9. Taking on Too Much Debt

When Running a business, it is important to be cautious of the amount of debt you take on. While debt can be helpful in some cases, it can also be very dangerous if not managed properly. If you are not able to make your loan payments, your business could quickly find itself in financial distress. In this blog post, we will explore the dangers of business debt and offer some advice on how to avoid falling into this trap.

The Dangers of Business Debt

Business debt can be very dangerous if it is not managed properly. If you are not able to make your loan payments, your business could quickly find itself in financial distress.

This can lead to a number of problems, such as:

- Your business may have to declare bankruptcy.

- You may personally guarantee the debt, which means that if the business cannot pay it back, you will be responsible for paying the debt back yourself. This could put your personal assets at risk.

- The interest on the debt may be higher than expected, which could put even more strain on your finances.

- Your credit score could be affected, making it difficult to get loans in the future.

- Your suppliers could refuse to do business with you if they think you are a high risk.

- You may have to lay off employees or cut back on expenses, which could damage your business reputation.

All of these problems can be avoided if you are careful about the amount of debt you take on and make sure that you can afford the repayments. Here are some tips on how to avoid taking on too much business debt:

- Make sure you have a clear plan for how you will use the money before you borrow it.

- Do your research and shop around for the best terms and interest rates before you commit to a loan.

- Borrow only what you need and make sure you can afford the repayments.

- Consider alternative financing options, such as equity financing or grants.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you avoid taking on too much business debt and putting your business at risk.

If you can avoid these nine financial pitfalls, your business will be in a much better position to succeed. Of course, this is easier said than done - but it's worth it to make sure your finances are in order. A strong understanding of finance is essential for any business owner, so if you need help getting started, don't hesitate to seek out a professional. With the right knowledge and planning, you can keep your business on track for success.