Looking at my income over the past year, I’ve noticed some ups and downs. Wondering if there’s a smart way to track these patterns and use them for planning ahead. Anyone else dig into their seasonal trends? What’s worked for you in terms of using that info to make business decisions?
I’ve been doing this for years. Here’s what works:
Track your monthly income in a basic spreadsheet. Look for patterns over the last couple years. You’ll see which months are busy and which are slow.
Use that info to plan your work. Line up more jobs for slow months. Save extra during busy times to cover the lean periods.
Don’t make it complicated. The point is to have a rough idea of what’s coming, not predict everything exactly.
This approach has kept my business steady for years. It’s simple, but it works.
I’ve been through this too. Here’s what I do:
- Spreadsheet basics: Monthly income, last 2-3 years
- Quick visual: Line graph to spot patterns
- Notes column: Jot down why certain months spike or dip
It’s not perfect, but it helps. I use this to:
- Plan my workload
- Set aside cash for slow months
- Time big purchases or investments
The key is keeping it simple. Don’t get bogged down in complex analysis.
Remember, trends can change. Stay flexible and ready to adjust your plans.
I’ve been doing this for about 5 years now. Here’s what I’ve found works:
I use a basic Google Sheet. Each month gets a row with income, expenses, and profit.
At the end of the year, I color code it. Green for good months, yellow for okay, red for rough ones.
This visual helps me spot patterns quick. Like, December’s always red for me - people spend on gifts, not my services.
I use this to plan ahead. Stock up on supplies when I know a busy period’s coming. Save extra during good months to cover the slow ones.
It’s not perfect, but it’s simple and it works. Just make sure to actually look at it and use the info. I wasted a year tracking everything and then ignoring it completely.
I just wing it mostly
Cash comes in I do the work
Don’t really plan ahead much
I just look at my bank account. If it’s low in winter, I know to save more in summer. Not fancy, but it works for me. Spreadsheets are too much hassle.
I keep it straightforward. Track monthly income in a simple spreadsheet for the past year or two.
Look for obvious patterns like slow winters or busy summers. Use that info to plan your work and set aside some cash for the lean times.
Don’t overthink it. The goal is to have a basic idea of what’s coming, not predict the future perfectly.