Trades do not fail only from bad workmanship. They fail when materials go out before money comes in, and nobody sees it until Friday.
This guide is the cashflow spoke of running an SA business from your phone.
Direct answer
Every week, know three numbers in ZAR: income received, expenses paid, and still awaiting payment. If you cannot name them without opening three apps, simplify the system.
The three buckets
| Bucket | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|
| In | Paid sales / deposits received | Confirmed payments |
| Out | Materials, fuel, labour help, apps, rent | Expense log |
| Waiting | Accepted work not yet paid | Open invoices / accepted quotes pending pay |
Profit on a quote is fiction until the waiting bucket clears.
Habits that fit a phone
- Log expenses the day they happen (photo + amount is enough).
- Mark quotes clearly when accepted vs paid (quote vs invoice).
- Do not count a WhatsApp “we’ll pay tomorrow” as cash.
- Watch stock buys against stock tracking so shelves do not silently drain cash.
Quote quality feeds cashflow quality
Garbage-in quotes create garbage month views. Keep line items honest with professional quoting.
What “good enough” looks like
You open one home screen and see whether this month is working — without exporting to Excel first. That is the bar for solo electricians, plumbers and landscapers.
Vlyt shows income, expenses and awaiting payment on Home as quotes move — phone-first, not a full accounting suite.