Unless you’re an incredibly well to do, you cannot afford reckless financial decisions. While there are certain things that you can avoid to protect your finances, some of the worst decisions can have lifelong consequences. Here are few financial pitfalls that you should try to avoid.

• Failing to create a budget and a financial plan. Without plan, there are no manageable and measurable targets. Working without planning means failing to focus all your resources on a single direction, operating on a tactical level, without feasible control over your business objectives.
• Failing to set a manageable budget. Many small business owners are failing to control their finances and don’t know what they should be spending. You must have a well-defined budget and account that will include unforeseen costs you will encounter as a business owner. You should regularly review your cash flow and profit margins to make sure that you’re spending according to plan. 
• Failing to control your credit. Neglecting to control your credit line or credit cards usage, may cause significant issues in your business management. The convenience of credit cards combined with high credit limit result in spiraling spending and high interest rate payments. The resulting debt is often hampering the profitability and effective cashflow management.
• Failing to manage the cash flow and revenue. Your cash flow is the blood line of your business activity as it allows you to operate daily. Maintaining a close control over your cashflow, allows you to plan and foresee possible future difficulties or opportunities. Tracking cash flows, transactions, fees, and debt, allows you to manage your business as well as plan and consider taking loans or credit line to better fund your activities.
• Startups and new business tend to have their seed money from friends and family and some time to use it as a type of ongoing credit for contingencies. This strategy needs to be carefully considered. For example, you might be tempted to use your friends and family as collateral for a loan. In these instances, you may want to consider establishing a credit line, applying of a grant or for loan and financing.

Your expenses are critical to your business’s revenues. Successful entrepreneurs carefully plan large expenses and manage them accordingly. Managing these expenses ensures smoother cash flow. Problematic cash flow, affect your ability to make the right decisions. Careful planning, budgeting, and financing are a sound platform for your business growth.