Do a 30-Day Cash Flow Health Check (Before It Becomes a Problem)

Here’s a Teach-First Tuesday Tip on cash flow health checks which is simple, practical, and easy for any business to apply.

Many small businesses only realise there’s a cash flow problem when it’s already critical, when salaries are due, suppliers are chasing, and the bank balance is tight. The issue usually isn’t lack of sales; it’s not knowing what the next 30 days actually look like in cash terms. A simple cash flow health check can prevent panic, missed payments, and rushed funding decisions. If you can see 30 days ahead, you can make calmer, smarter decisions, even when money is tight.

Here are some practical steps that can help you forecast your next 30 days, you will only need three things:

Money In: List all expected income in the next 30 days, and be realistic, not optimistic.

Money Out: List all fixed and variable expenses due in the same period (salaries, rent, suppliers, debit orders, VAT).

Timing Gap: Compare when money comes in vs when it goes out. This is where liquidity traps appear. If outflows come before inflows, you need a plan, not hope.

Apply this today by doing the following:

Open a simple spreadsheet or notebook.

Write down your expected cash in and cash out for the next 30 days.

Highlight any week where expenses exceed income.

Decide now how you’ll close the gap (collections, deposits, payment terms, cost pauses, or short-term funding).

This takes less than 30 minutes and gives instant clarity.

Real-World application:

Here's a great South African success story from SME to thriving business. Bootlegger Coffee Company started as a single café and expanded steadily across South Africa with a strong focus on cash flow discipline. In its early growth phase, the business prioritised aligning sales with predictable costs such as rent, staffing, and suppliers. By keeping inventory tight, paying close attention to supplier terms, and expanding cautiously, the company avoided common liquidity pressures faced by fast-growing retailers. The result was a growth path shaped as much by cash clarity as by sales momentum.

Key Takeaway:

Cash flow problems don’t start suddenly, they build quietly. A 30-day cash flow view turns surprises into decisions.