A practical, step-by-step approach to forecasting your business's cash flow week by week so you can spot pressure points early.
A 13-week cash-flow forecast is a rolling, week-by-week view of the cash you expect to come in and go out over roughly the next quarter. It is one of the most useful tools for spotting trouble before it arrives.
Step 1: Start with your current cash
Begin with the actual cash available in your operating accounts today.
Step 2: List expected inflows by week
Include card settlements, invoice collections, and any other receipts. Be conservative — use what you realistically expect, not best-case figures.
Step 3: List outflows by week
- Payroll and payroll taxes
- Rent, utilities, insurance
- Inventory and supplier payments
- Debt payments, including daily or weekly MCA remittances (multiply daily debits by the number of business days)
- Sales tax and other tax obligations
Step 4: Find the gaps
Subtract outflows from inflows each week and carry the ending balance forward. Weeks where the balance gets thin are your pressure points.
Step 5: Update weekly
Replace estimates with actuals each week and roll the forecast forward. Over time, it becomes more accurate.
If your forecast shows debt payments consistently outpacing cash flow, it may be time to explore debt relief options.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.
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