{"id":12604,"date":"2022-07-26T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-26T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=12604"},"modified":"2026-01-29T09:28:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T09:28:28","slug":"money-diaries-plumber-cash-flow-tight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/money-diaries-plumber-cash-flow-tight\/","title":{"rendered":"A plumber keeping cash flow tight on \u00a380,000"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/money-matters\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Money Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA plumber keeping cash flow tight on \u00a380,000\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2022-07-26T10:00:00+01:00\">26 July, 2022<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"A plumber keeping cash flow tight on \u00a380,000\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/money-diaries-plumber-cash-flow-tight\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/secretentrepreneur\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Secret-Entrepreneur-1-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"Secret Entrepreneur\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Secret-Entrepreneur-1-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Secret-Entrepreneur-1.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Secret Entrepreneurs<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Welcome to The Money Diaries with Sage, where we dive into the finances of business owners and discover how they deal with money matters on a daily basis.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>We\u2019re asking entrepreneurs how they\u2019re managing their finances over a seven-day period, to give you a picture of what incomes and outgoings really look like from their perspective.&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Today is the turn of a plumber from London who&#8217;s been in business for 11 years.<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>And make sure you check out&nbsp;<a href=\"#reader\">Reader\u2019s Response at the end of this article<\/a>, where&nbsp;accountant&nbsp;and best-selling author&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carlreader.com\/\">Carl Reader<\/a>&nbsp;reveals his thoughts and shares some top tips for our entrepreneur.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what we cover in this article:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#meet\">Meet our entrepreneur and check out their Money Diary<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#final\">Final thoughts on the week<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#reader\">Reader\u2019s Response<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#gate-0a38bfe5-48d7-44eb-b934-14aa781da0ca\">Download your free copy of How to boss your small business banking for advice to help you stay on top of your finances<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"meet\">Meet our entrepreneur and check out their Money Diary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Industry: <\/strong>Plumbing and heating<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How long you have been an entrepreneur? <\/strong>11 years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day job: <\/strong>I do this full time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> London, UK<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Salary: <\/strong>\u00a380,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Household: <\/strong>I live with my wife and two boys, aged 12 and eight<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1675\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header2-day-1.jpg\" alt=\"Money Diaries day 1\" class=\"wp-image-10744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header2-day-1.jpg 1675w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header2-day-1-768x264.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header2-day-1-1440x494.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header2-day-1-1536x527.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1675px) 100vw, 1675px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 1 \u2013 Monday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My aim today is to get though all the jobs, which are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Boiler installation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shower cartridge change<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New radiator installation\/shower not working<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tap cartridges in kitchen sink change.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>All jobs went very well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A particular win was getting a shower working without spending any money on parts. The client was so happy, and that was a big win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spent around \u00a316 on lunch for three of us. I tend to buy everyone lunch through the company. All teas and coffees were provided by the clients today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would estimate around \u00a310 was spent on petrol and electricity (we have two vans). Everything is billed before we leave the job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And most big spends are on account (i.e. we pay merchants for what we use once we&#8217;ve been paid by the client) so we don&#8217;t need to pay for them for a few weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money earned: \u00a32,100<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money spent: \u00a31,020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1675\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header3-day-2.jpg\" alt=\"Money Diaries day 2\" class=\"wp-image-10745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header3-day-2.jpg 1675w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header3-day-2-768x264.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header3-day-2-1440x494.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header3-day-2-1536x527.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1675px) 100vw, 1675px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 2 \u2013 Tuesday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Today&#8217;s jobs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Install two two-port valves and nest thermostat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Install new kitchen tap\/service Quooker hot tap\/ install new pop up waste<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leak under sink<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hot water issues \u2013 new two-port valve<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Silicone re-seal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gas safe certification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fit hot water tap.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Today was a good day and all went very well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Around \u00a320 spent on lunch and another \u00a320 on transport. Again, everything was billed before we left each job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The client supplied a few of the materials today, hence the outlay for such a busy day was fairly low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money earned: \u00a31,660<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money spent: \u00a3650<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1675\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header4-day-3.jpg\" alt=\"Money Diaries day 3\" class=\"wp-image-10746\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header4-day-3.jpg 1675w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header4-day-3-768x264.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header4-day-3-1440x494.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header4-day-3-1536x527.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1675px) 100vw, 1675px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 3 \u2013 Wednesday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Today&#8217;s jobs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>New bath taps install<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Four gas safety certifications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New shower cartridge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leaking WC flush and re-silicone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Not a bad day today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tap change was very, very difficult and took twice as long as estimated, but we had quoted so felt we could not change what we charged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">The Money Diaries with Sage<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">In our financial series, anonymous entrepreneurs offer a no-holds-barred look at their salaries, expenses and daily spending habits. Ready to take a peek?<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/money-diaries\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tid=\"cta-id-10766\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-button-location=\"cta_box\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Find out more<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1150431964-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1150431964-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>So, under-quoted but that&#8217;s just the way it goes sometimes. Very happy when it was done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, spent around \u00a320 on lunch and \u00a315 on transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money earned: \u00a3620<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money spent: \u00a3230<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"494\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header5-day-4-1440x494.jpg\" alt=\"Money Diaries day 4\" class=\"wp-image-10747\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header5-day-4-1440x494.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header5-day-4-768x264.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header5-day-4-1536x527.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header5-day-4.jpg 1675w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 4 \u2013 Thursday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Today&#8217;s jobs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Run a new waste pipe in a flat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Install two two-port valves<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Install new bath.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Very hard day today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First job was drilling though a wall on the first floor in a block of flats, bath change was three floors up in a block of flats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, at least \u00a315 was spent on energy drinks, \u00a320 on lunch, and \u00a330 on transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, all products were bought on account, so cash flow is not a problem and all jobs were billed before we left the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money earned: \u00a31,260<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money spent: \u00a3550<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1675\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header6-day-5.jpg\" alt=\"Money Diaries day 5\" class=\"wp-image-10748\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header6-day-5.jpg 1675w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header6-day-5-768x264.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header6-day-5-1440x494.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header6-day-5-1536x527.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1675px) 100vw, 1675px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 5 \u2013 Friday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Today&#8217;s jobs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>New shower pump installed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Three gas safe certifications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boiler breakdown<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leak under sink<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Outside tap leaking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New exposed shower install<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New outside hot tap.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Today was a very busy day, but we got everything done and everyone was very happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most expensive outlay was a shower pump at \u00a3550, followed by an exposed shower at \u00a3320.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, these were bought on account so I don&#8217;t need to pay for it until the clients have paid. This system works well and means we can run a good bank account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We settle all accounts at the end of the month before anything else comes out. The other big expense is our apprentice at \u00a3350 a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No tools were bought this week but you need to have a good cash flow because from time to time you do need to spend money on new tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money earned: \u00a32,210<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money spent: \u00a3940<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1675\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header7-day-6.jpg\" alt=\"Money Diaries day 6\" class=\"wp-image-10749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header7-day-6.jpg 1675w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header7-day-6-768x264.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header7-day-6-1440x494.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header7-day-6-1536x527.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1675px) 100vw, 1675px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 6 \u2013 Saturday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I didn&#8217;t record any spending or earnings today as I like to keep weekends work-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money earned: n\/a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money spent<strong>: n\/a<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1675\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header8-day-7.jpg\" alt=\"Money Diaries day 7\" class=\"wp-image-10750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header8-day-7.jpg 1675w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header8-day-7-768x264.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header8-day-7-1440x494.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header8-day-7-1536x527.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1675px) 100vw, 1675px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Days 6 and 7 \u2013 Saturday and Sunday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Same as Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s important to keep that work-life balance, especially if you&#8217;re running your own business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money earned: n\/a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Money spent<strong>: n\/a<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Total money earned: \u00a37,850<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Total money spent: \u00a33,390<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final\">Final thoughts on the week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My best advice to companies like mine is to have a few accounts with plumbers&#8217; merchants so you don&#8217;t need to pay right away for expensive materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But with that, it&#8217;s important to make sure you keep an eye on it and pay it off once if not twice a month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Otherwise, you&#8217;ll think you have more money than you really do, and get hit with a massive bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get yourself on the best possible <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-business-cloud\/accounting\/industry\/construction\/\">accounting software<\/a> for billing and invoicing. You might think you can&#8217;t afford it, but trust me: you can&#8217;t afford not to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It saves so much time and that&#8217;s the most valuable asset you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, bill as you leave a job rather than waiting until you get home; the last thing you want to do is spend the evening catching up on your admin after a day&#8217;s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, the biggest win for my company was getting an electric van. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A big outlay, but it will save you a lot of money in the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"reader\">Reader&#8217;s Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>And to wrap up&#8230; what are Carl Reader&#8217;s thoughts on the financial habits of our plumber? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out the video below to find out&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"video-container-wrap -mode-full\"><div class=\"video-container\"><video\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sage-video video-js vjs-default-skin \"\n\t\t\t\twidth=\"640\"\n\t\t\t\theight=\"360\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-setup='{ \"controls\": true, \"aspectRatio\" : \"16:9\", \"poster\": \"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/w7JqgnAZBE4\/maxresdefault.jpg\", \"techOrder\": [\"youtube\"], \"enablejsapi\": 1, \"origin\": \"https:\/\/www.sage.com\", \"sources\": [{ \"type\": \"video\/youtube\", \"src\": \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=w7JqgnAZBE4\"}], \"youtube\": { \"ytControls\": 0, \"cc_load_policy\": 3, \"modestbranding\": 1, \"hl\": \"en_GB\", \"playsinline\": 1 } }'\n\t\t\t\tcrossorigin=\"\"><\/video><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">How to boss your small business banking<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">From choosing a business bank account to managing bank reconciliation and using bank feeds, this guide will help you to stay on top of your finances.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-0a38bfe5-48d7-44eb-b934-14aa781da0ca\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download your free guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1308847618-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1308847618-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/bookkeeping\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBookkeeping\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/business-finances\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness finances\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/cash-flow\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCash flow\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/grow-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to grow your business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/money-diaries\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMoney Diaries\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-3675 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers tag-grow-business tag-peter-jones-ambition business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1064\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-547016975_super-1064x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Identifying useful growth opportunities will help your business to thrive\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-547016975_super-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-547016975_super-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-547016975_super-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-05T17:13:40+01:00\">5 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/identify-useful-growth-opportunities\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tHow to identify useful growth opportunities for your business\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tWant to grow your business? From market penetration to diversification, here are four proven growth strategies\u2014and how AI, the right data, and the right team help turn ideas into results.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-1545 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers tag-grow-business business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/10-steps-to-grow-your-customer-base\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1261563978-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1261563978-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1261563978-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1261563978-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-05T16:41:53+01:00\">5 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\t10 steps to grow your customer base\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-1043 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-alternative-finance tag-cash-flow tag-crowdfunding business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/a-business-guide-to-borrowing-money\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/08\/0J9A9593-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/08\/0J9A9593-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/08\/0J9A9593-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/08\/0J9A9593.jpg 999w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-05T13:25:08+01:00\">5 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tA business owner&#8217;s guide to borrowing money\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-1543 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-free-guides-templates category-strategy-legal-operations tag-business-continuity tag-create-business-plan tag-grow-business tag-start-business business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-to-write-a-business-plan\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-740534235-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-740534235-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-740534235-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-740534235-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M11.988 2.989a.75.75 0 0 0-.739.761v10.689l-1.72-1.72a.75.75 0 0 0-.957-.099.75.75 0 0 0-.315.776c.031.146.104.28.211.384l3 3a.75.75 0 0 0 1.06 0l3-3a.76.76 0 0 0 .231-.533.74.74 0 0 0-.22-.538q-.108-.106-.247-.164c-.139-.058-.191-.057-.291-.056s-.198.022-.29.061-.174.097-.243.169l-1.72 1.72V3.75a.76.76 0 0 0-.22-.541.76.76 0 0 0-.542-.22zM5.75 8.5C4.24 8.5 3 9.74 3 11.25v7C3 19.76 4.24 21 5.75 21h12.5c1.51 0 2.75-1.24 2.75-2.75v-7c0-1.51-1.24-2.75-2.75-2.75h-3a.76.76 0 0 0-.537.216.74.74 0 0 0-.223.535.76.76 0 0 0 .223.535.74.74 0 0 0 .537.216h3c.699 0 1.25.551 1.25 1.25v7a1.24 1.24 0 0 1-1.25 1.25H5.75a1.24 1.24 0 0 1-1.25-1.25v-7c0-.699.551-1.25 1.25-1.25h3a.76.76 0 0 0 .537-.216.74.74 0 0 0 .223-.535.76.76 0 0 0-.223-.535.75.75 0 0 0-.537-.216z\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-05T11:19:49+01:00\">5 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">8 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tFree template: How to write a business plan\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-30318 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-bookkeeping tag-payments business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/what-is-ap-automation\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1128201585-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1128201585-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1128201585-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1128201585-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-02T16:58:53+01:00\">2 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">11 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tAccounts payable automation: How it works, key benefits, and why your business needs it\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How much does a London plumber on \u00a380,000 spend and earn in a week? Take a sneak peek at the latest Money Diary.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1332,"featured_media":10752,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":true,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[23,135,24,15,243],"business_type":[4],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[75],"imagine_tag":[109],"coauthors":[577],"class_list":["post-12604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","tag-bookkeeping","tag-business-finances","tag-cash-flow","tag-grow-business","tag-money-diaries","business_type-small-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Secret Entrepreneurs","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/01\/Sage_Money-Diaries_Blog-Header-Generic1.jpg","imagine_tags":{"109":"Small business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1332"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12604"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12604\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/10752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12604"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=12604"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=12604"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=12604"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=12604"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=12604"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=12604"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=12604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}