5 Personal Finance Habits
(Yes, even if you hate spreadsheets)
At Corbar, we’re big believers in keeping your personal and business finances separate — but when it comes to smart habits? There’s some real crossover.
You probably already manage your own money with a bit of common sense (even if it doesn’t feel like it some days). And the good news is, those same principles can give your business a more stable foundation too.
Here are five personal finance tactics we swear by — and how they can help your business grow with confidence.
1. Set a budget (even if it’s not perfect)
No, it’s not thrilling. And yes, most business owners avoid it. But a simple budget will do more for your business than you think.
In your personal life, you probably have a rough sense of what you spend on your mortgage or rent, food, bills, holidays etc. You know what’s coming in, and you try not to spend more than that.
It’s the same in business — but with bigger consequences.
A business budget helps you:
Focus on where you’re going
Gives you targets to meet
Allows you the foresight to make adjustments if you don’t meet the targets
Helps you understand resource requirements
Plan for seasonal dips or big investments
React calmly if something unexpected crops up (like losing a client or replacing broken kit)
2. Build an emergency fund (yes, even if cash is tight)
In personal finance, people talk about having 3–6 months of expenses tucked away.
In business? That buffer can be a lifeline.
Here’s why:
Clients might pay late
A tax bill might be higher than expected
GoCardless might go rogue (ask me how I know...)
It doesn’t need to be a massive pot overnight. Just start small and build gradually.
The key? Make sure the money’s easy access — not locked in a long-term savings account or investment fund. It’s for emergencies, not later.
3. Don’t over-rely on debt
Let’s be real — most businesses use some form of credit, especially early on, and it absolutely can strategically have its place. But debt should be a tool, not a safety net.
Avoid using credit cards as a stand-in for cash flow
Always factor interest into your decisions
Don’t assume you’ll “deal with it later” — later gets expensive
Having a strong finance foundation (see: budget + emergency fund) means you won’t have to rely on debt unless you’ve chosen it strategically.
4. Pay yourself — from the start
We see this all the time: business owners don’t pay themselves properly in the early days (and some even in the later days).
It’s often seen as a “sensible sacrifice” but here’s the truth:
If you don’t build your salary into your numbers now, you’re not getting a real picture of what your business needs to survive — or thrive.
Whether you’re a sole director or growing a team, your salary isn’t optional. It’s part of the cost of doing business. Pay yourself first, even if it’s a modest amount. It sets the right tone for future decisions.
5. Learn the difference between a want and a need
Business owners love a good treat (and so do we — hello fancy coffee machine ☕).
But not every shiny thing is an essential.
Before you splash out on new software, extra training, or office upgrades, ask:
Will this improve efficiency or revenue?
Is it solving an actual problem, or just feeding the “I should be doing more” feeling?
Wants are okay. But keep your needs covered first. Especially when cash is tight or you're in growth mode.
Final thoughts: Simple shifts = better decisions
At Corbar, we’re not here to judge your numbers. We’re here to help you use them.
These five tactics aren’t complicated. You’ve probably already used them in your personal life.
By applying them to your business, you’ll get:
✅ More control
✅ Better decisions
✅ Fewer surprises
And that means you can stop second-guessing and start growing — with confidence.
👉 Ready to feel more on top of your finances?
Let’s chat about how we can help — from budget templates to full finance function support. Book a call
