Keep a rolling cash-flow record (3+ months of tracked inflows and outflows)

Profit is on paper; cash is what's actually in the bank. Watching your cash flow patterns — when money comes in vs. goes out — keeps you from being profitable and broke at the same time.

Do this

1. Track your bank balance and the timing of big inflows and outflows.
2. Spot your patterns: slow-paying months, big expense months.
3. Build a small cushion to cover the dips.
4. Speed up money in (invoice faster) and smooth money out.

Cash Flow Health Checklist

• Know your bank balance every week
• Map when big payments land vs. when bills are due
• Invoice the day work is done, not weeks later
• Keep a cushion of 1-2 months of expenses
• Watch for months where outflow beats inflow