The 13-Week Cash Flow

The cash flow forecast you'll actually keep up.

Most cash flow spreadsheets die after a fortnight because they have too many knobs. This one has three inputs that matter, a list of dated bills, and a 13-week forecast that answers the only questions a founder really asks: Can I pay what's due? Where is the money going? What can I actually pay myself?

What's inside

• Start here. How it works, the 10-minute Monday routine, where each number comes from, and a live summary: your lowest cash point in the next 13 weeks and how many weeks you can pay yourself.
• Inputs. Opening cash, baseline weekly sales and monthly ad spend, plus a short list of fixed costs, your safety buffer and the owner pay you'd like.
• Bills. Dated one-off payments: stock deposits, the BAS, insurance, big invoices. Mark them paid and they drop out of the forecast.
• Forecast. 13 weeks of money in, money out and closing cash. A buffer check that goes red the week you'd dip under your floor, and a "Pay yourself?" row that says Yes only when it fits.

How it works

1. Download the spreadsheet and open it in Excel, Google Sheets or Numbers.
2. Replace the example numbers in the yellow cells with your own. About 20 minutes the first time.
3. Every Monday: update opening cash, tick off paid bills, read the forecast. 10 minutes.

Good to know

• Format: Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx). Works in Google Sheets and Numbers too.
• Built for product brands where customers pay at checkout. No invoicing or receivables to manage.
• Ships with example numbers for a small brand so you can see it working before you add your own.
• Instant download. Nothing ships.
• A working template from a real brand, not financial advice. Check anything that matters with your accountant.
• For use inside your own business. Please don't resell or share publicly.