For professionals paid by project, milestone, or changing dates
A strong quarter can still contain a weak month. Build the baseline from liquid funds, essential commitments, confirmed payments, and a conservative view of recent income.
Why average income can mislead you
A strong quarter can still contain a weak month. Build the baseline from liquid funds, essential commitments, confirmed payments, and a conservative view of recent income.
Keep facts and expectations separate
Record an advance when it arrives. Keep the remaining client payment as a plan until it is actually credited, and reserve tax or project costs before treating money as available.
Worked example
Ilya between two projects
Ilya has 185,000 ₽ in liquid funds and 24 days before the next confirmed payment. Part of that money is already committed.
Liquid funds185,000 ₽
Essential monthly expenses78,000 ₽
Work and tax reserve35,000 ₽
Available balance72,000 ₽
The available 72,000 ₽ gives Ilya a working limit of about 3,000 ₽ per day for 24 days.
Practical method
Reserve first, daily budget second
The reserve horizon shows how many months current liquidity can support. The daily budget answers how much remains for each day before the next confirmed payment.
Formula
Reserve horizon = liquid funds ÷ average monthly expenses
Do not count assets that you cannot or do not intend to use for ordinary spending.
Calculator
Estimate your reserve between projects
Enter liquid funds and typical monthly expenses to estimate your current reserve horizon.
Values are calculated only in your browser and are not submitted anywhere.
