Small Business Owners - Budgeting Before Funding Decisions

Simple start to writing a budget: 1. Preparation — lined paper, pencil, quiet spot 2. Gather ALL income docs (last 2–3 paystubs; average commissions over 6 months if needed) 3. Gather 3 months of bank statements 4. Just do it Then: • List net (take-home) income • List FIXED expenses (same every month: rent/mortgage, car, insurance, phone…) • List VARIABLE expenses (gas, food, dining out, clothes…) • Annual bills ÷ 12 (car registration example: $120/year = $10/month set aside) • Add it up: income − expenses = over/short Clients are often shocked by fast food and “invisible” spending once the statements are open. You can’t fix what you won’t face. Ready to put numbers on paper this weekend? Do the business version too. Clean numbers don’t just reduce stress — they make hard-times funding decisions clearer. That’s a recurring theme on The Second Round, powered by Stacking Capital: owners who put the numbers on paper before the next move. When will you do yours? We want to hear your story and share it — how you got started, how you funded it. No gimmicks, no fluff. Just the good, the bad, and the ugly. Want The Chair to share your story? Leave a comment below.