Many business owners think a budget is just about numbers. But at its core, a good budget is a leadership tool. It gives you direction, clarity, and confidence to make decisions that move your business forward.

Step 7 in the Plan, Profit, Prosper planner is all about putting your financial plan in place, one that reflects both your current reality and your goals for 2026.

In this short video, discover why creating a budget is one of the most powerful, and underused tools you have for building a more profitable and confident 2026.

Why Budgeting Is Essential

A strong budget gives you more than just a spreadsheet. It helps you:

• Forecast income and plan spending with intention
• Keep costs under control
• Anticipate shortfalls before they become problems
• Set realistic profit targets and measure progress

Without a budget, you’re flying blind. With one, you can make confident decisions, avoid surprises, and grow with stability.

What to Include in Your Budget

To get started, break it into sections that reflect your real business operations. These might include:

Revenue Projections

Look at what you expect to earn month by month, based on known contracts, seasonal trends, and sales targets. Be realistic, but optimistic. This is your chance to map out your goals.

Operating Costs

Include all regular overheads like rent, insurance, subscriptions, marketing, and systems. Don’t forget variable costs that move with sales, such as raw materials or delivery.

Staff and Infrastructure

Factor in salaries, pensions, NI, training, and any planned team growth. Also include costs related to tools, equipment, or space as your business scales.

Investment and Growth

Planning to expand, launch a new product, or upgrade systems? Build these into your budget. This ensures your plan funds growth, not just survival.

Profit Targets

What does success look like for you? Build in a profit margin that supports your personal and business goals, then reverse engineer your revenue and cost plans from there.

Factor in Flexibility

The best budgets aren’t fixed, they evolve. Market conditions, client wins, and cost changes all shift over time.

Set a regular time (monthly or quarterly) to review your actual results against your budget. Make adjustments where needed, but keep it aligned with your wider business plan.

Get the Business You Want

Your budget isn’t about restriction. It’s about direction. It’s your roadmap to profitable, confident decisions, and a better business in 2026.

Use Step 7 of the Plan, Profit, Prosper planner to create a budget that works for you.

Want help building a budget that reflects your real goals and challenges? Let’s build it together.

Start today: Download the planner and take Step 7 now