Drawing an effective budget

Description

Abstract: Some dealers may live without a budget, putting all their emphasis on sales goals and projections. But setting one’s sights on sales alone is wearing blinders. Realistic budgeting allows a dealer to pay bills, fund commitments and invest in new opportunities when the timing is right. A budget should reflect the business plan, and should include realistic projections of all expenses and revenue. A sidebar briefly discusses the importance of comparing the store’s actual income and expenses to its budgeted projections on a monthly basis.