Money and Rules

Money Basics

Budgets, cash flow, credit, capital and taxes in plain terms.

Start here · Essential guide

Introduction to Business Finance

A plain-language overview of revenue, costs, profit, assets and liabilities, and the three main financial statements every small business owner should know.

4 min read

Creating a Business Budget That Works

Learn how to build a small business budget from cautious income and cost estimates, then compare it with actual results each month, using hypothetical numbers.

3 min read

How to Establish a Business Credit Score

A general overview of how business credit files work, why they are kept separate from personal credit, and the responsible habits that build a payment record.

3 min read

Managing Cash Flow for Small Businesses

Why profitable small businesses can still run short of cash, and practical ways to forecast and smooth the timing of money coming in and going out.

3 min read

Raising Capital for Your Business

A general comparison of self-funding, loans, investors and grants, with the obligations of each and a clear warning against borrowing more than you can repay.

4 min read

Understanding Business Taxes and Accounting

A general overview of business record keeping, common types of tax and basic accounting ideas, with a reminder that rules vary and an accountant can help.

3 min read

More in money and rules

Rules and Risk Regulations, insurance, security, ethics and weighing risk. Bookkeeping and Accounts Records, statements, margins and getting paid on time. Financing Options How outside money works, its costs and how to judge whether to use it.