Holiday sales feel exciting.
Orders increase. Revenue spikes.
Spending often rises just as fast.
Without tracking your numbers, it’s easy to overspend and assume sales will cover it.
That’s how strong months turn into weak cash flow.
Ask yourself:
Do you know what you can spend, or are you reacting in the moment?
Here’s how to track your numbers so growth doesn’t backfire.
Start with real-time cash awareness
Sales don’t equal cash.
What matters is what actually hits your account.
Track:
- Daily or weekly cash balance
- Pending deposits
- Upcoming bills
This keeps you from spending money you don’t have yet.
If cash flow feels confusing, this post adds clarity:
https://cherylwoyak.com/cash-flow-freakouts-why-profit-isnt-the-whole-picture/
Watch expenses closely during peak weeks
Holiday spending sneaks up fast.
Common areas to track:
- Inventory or materials
- Shipping and fulfillment
- Marketing and ads
- Temporary help
- Software or tools added “just for the season”
Review spending weekly, not monthly.
Small leaks add up quickly during busy periods.
Track profit, not just sales
High revenue doesn’t mean strong results.
Check:
- Gross profit by product or service
- Cost increases tied to volume
- Discount impact on margins
Ask yourself:
Are these sales actually helping my bottom line?
For a refresher on reports that matter, see:
https://cherylwoyak.com/the-3-financial-reports-every-business-owner-should-know/
Keep accounts receivable tight
Late payments hurt more during busy seasons.
Stay on top of:
- Invoices sent
- Payment due dates
- Follow-ups
Fast collections protect cash when expenses peak.
You can go deeper here:
https://cherylwoyak.com/the-truth-about-late-payments-how-ar-can-sink-or-save-your-cash-flow/
Set spending limits before the rush starts
Decide in advance:
- How much you can spend weekly
- Which expenses are necessary
- What can wait until January
Limits prevent impulse decisions driven by busy days.
Review numbers weekly until the season ends
Weekly check-ins help you:
- Spot problems early
- Adjust spending fast
- Avoid surprises after the holidays
You don’t need long reviews.
You need consistent ones.
Holiday sales can strengthen your business when tracked properly.
They hurt when spending runs ahead of data.
If you want help tracking numbers during busy seasons, explore
https://cherylwoyak.com/services/
You can also reach out directly through
https://cherylwoyak.com/contact/
