Money Management and Pandemic Crisis: It’s Time to Step Up Your Budgeting Game

Brandi Marcene

Introduction

Money management refers to the intricate process of dealing with your finances. The process involves setting financial goals, budgeting, tracking income and expenses. Although some of the money management and budgeting details may come across as overwhelming, your focus of attention should be to streamline your financial management planning process altogether. In essence, you need to devise a budget that caters to your financial needs.

Importance of Sophisticated Budgeting Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Amidst global financial turmoil due to the coronavirus pandemic, it makes sense for businesses to prioritize and step up their money management game. Many American small businesses have had to bear the burden of financial stress because of the pandemic crisis. The need of the hour dictates to take full control over your financial situation through rigorous budgeting.

Budgeting is All About Focus

The last thing you want to do is generalize your budgeting needs. As the financial markets and systems change, you will have to navigate and adapt to new standards. In order to navigate and adapt, you need to stay focused and evaluate your annual budget plan. Whether its expenses, cash flow, or investment options, stay in touch with the market conditions and changing business dynamics.

Use Mental Accounting Tactics

If you want to thwart budget constraints, you can use various mental accounting tactics to keep a closer eye on the total spending. Mental accounting, in essence, refers to the separation of virtual and tangible money. Your objective should be to prioritize your total spending and get rid of extraneous spending. It’s a great strategy that allows businesses to remain in control and avail opportunity costs.

Review Cash Outflow and Cash Inflow

Cash flow management is an integral part of any business. Even before the pandemic, almost the vast majority of business owners concur that dealing with cash flow is difficult. Technically, cash flow refers to the money that flows in and out of your enterprise each month.

For instance, cash outflow takes place through payments of business expenses, accounts payable, and tax payments. Cash inflow, on the other hand, is the money coming into your business through accounts receivable. Irregular or negative cash flow can create serious problems for a business.

In fact, SBA advises businesses to keep cash reserves to deal with unexpected financial issues. Mostly, startup businesses face the most cash flow problems. Again, you can create separate cash reserves as a temporary solution to have a positive cash flow.

The Role of Accounts Receivable

You’d be surprised how many businesses forget about their accounts receivables. It is an integral aspect of money management that can make or break your business. Essentially, you should be aware of the owed funds and make efforts to pursue payments.

If you want to keep an eye on your accounts receivable, make sure to record them in your financial books. Furthermore, you can create a summary of accounts receivables. As a result, you will be able to track your total accounts receivables effortlessly.

Think of this accounts receivables summary as a reminder to collect owed money from multiple parties. Most businesses, however, are aware that tracking accounts receivables is crucial for money management. For instance, if your business requires funds earlier than the due date, you can set a payment discount beforehand.

Learn to Maintain Credit

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, banks, credit unions, and even the government had to change certain credit policies. Fortunately, most of the changes in lending policies have been in favor of small businesses. Still, you have to determine the needs of your businesses and programs that would help you sustain in the coming years.

Now, to manage and maintain your credit, you will need to simplify your financial processes. It means proactive financial management that could help you bridge the financial inconsistencies. Also, don’t lose sight of elements that might leave an impact on your overall credit score.

Whether your financial situation is stable or volatile, you should be ready to introduce new budget changes. If you want to get through these trying times, you must have a clear idea about any loan modifications that would help you move forward on the right path.

Create a Contingency Budget Plan

A contingency budget plan is an answer to make the foundation of your business stronger. Your business doesn’t have to fall on its back amidst challenging times. Therefore, the best course of action for your business would be to devise a contingency budget to avoid any type of financial emergency. The contingency plan is very much like a side hustle for your business.

You don’t have to follow a specific rule of law to create an emergency budget plan. Instead, review your business’s financial situation and add specific measures that will help you construct your contingency budget fund better.

Budgeting: Cut Corners When You Can

Ordinarily, your primary focus must be to earn as much as you can. However, as the pandemic situation dangles over your business, you have to be more prudent about how you spend business funds. The idea is to devise and adjust a budget that can help you transform and grow your business. For instance, look out for financial elements that serve no purpose in your budget.

Division: Pay Close Attention to Your Expenses

Expenses refer to the evaluation of your business spending. In fact, consistent expense management can help you cut more costs and save money for the future. Think of expense management as a way to control the budget, manage cash flow, pay outstanding supplier bills, and reaffirm a good market position.

Purchases and Inventory Management

You have to time your entire purchases to avoid negative cash flow. Besides, amidst an outbreak crisis, you cannot afford to make business purchases that are not relevant. Instead, wait until you have sufficient cash reserves to take care of new expenses.

Sophisticated management of business inventory can lend you a hand to manage your business money better. Well, there is no shortcut; you have to track down the total inventory of your business. You have to tread carefully between excessive and insufficient inventory.

Don’t Hesitate to Review Your Budgeting Goals

Your smart budget deserves SMART budgeting goals. The trick is to pay close attention to cash outflow and cash inflow to maintain an upward or positive trend. Again, that’s why you should create a detailed contingency budget plan rather than a simpler one. In any case, make sure to evaluate your existing budget, and that involves available funds and assessment of financial goals.

Explore More Possibilities: Seek the Guidance of an Expert Financial Advisor

At some point, the complexities of financial and budget matters may overwhelm you, and that’s normal. Remember, CPAs and accountants can spot patterns in financial statements that ordinarily would be invisible to you. You should not hesitate to get the services of an expert financial advisor who can help you eliminate business debts and help you manage your finances professionally.

Always Plan Ahead

Money management through budgeting is all about staying one step ahead of the financial strain. You don’t have to wait for the financial situation to get worse. Instead, create a plan of action now to deal with potential financial issues of the foreseeable future.

If you estimate that your cash reserve may not be enough to keep you afloat in the market, seek government assistance business programs. You should also get in touch with the local business community that may also be facing financial burden amidst the pandemic crisis.

Practically, it would be better for your business to not completely rely on the mercy of state or federal financial assistance. With enough dedication and effort, you should be able to find viable money management solutions.

The Last Words

Unprecedented times require extraordinary financial measures, and you should prepare for unexpected budget elements that can put a strain on your business’ financial situation. Once you put the money management goals into practice, you’d be surprised how much cash flow you can improve over time.

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