Irregular-income budget and cash-flow planner
Freelance income doesn't always arrive neatly or consistently. A busy month can be followed by a quiet one, and work you're expecting isn't always the same as work that's confirmed.
This 12-month planner helps you look ahead, spot potential gaps and see how your financial buffer might change as money comes in and goes out.
12-month planner
Map out your irregular freelance income
Start with the money you have available as a buffer, then add what you know is coming in and what you expect to spend each month.
Your financial information stays on your device
The figures you enter are stored only in this browser on this device so you can return to your plan. They are not sent to or collected by FMTW. If you are using a shared device, you can clear your plan when you finish.
Money you already have available to help smooth out quieter months. Leave at £0 if you do not want to include a buffer.
Your projection
What the next 12 months could look like
The confirmed view ignores expected income. The possible view includes it.
| Month | Monthly outgoings | Confirmed position | Possible position |
|---|
A negative projected position can help you spot a month where you may need to plan ahead. Expected income is deliberately kept separate because a possible job is not the same as secured income.
How to read your plan
Your plan isn't trying to predict exactly what will happen over the next 12 months. It's there to help you see what your current commitments and expectations could mean, and spot potential gaps early enough to do something about them.
Confirmed position
This projection only counts freelance income you've entered as confirmed, alongside your costs and set-asides.
It's the more cautious view of your finances because work that isn't yet secured isn't being relied upon.
Possible position
This includes both your confirmed income and the additional work you've entered as expected.
Think of it as a possible scenario, rather than money you can count on. As work becomes confirmed, move it into your confirmed income.
Lowest confirmed position
This shows the lowest point your confirmed projection reaches during the 12 months, and when it happens.
It can help you spot a quieter or more expensive period before you reach it, even if your overall position at the end of the year looks healthy.
IF YOUR PLAN SHOWS A GAP
Seeing a negative figure isn't a sign that you've done anything wrong. It's information you can use to plan ahead.
You might want to look at:
- whether there are invoices you can send or chase;
- which expected jobs still need confirming;
- whether any business costs can be moved or spread out;
- whether you need to plan for additional work during a quieter period; and
- whether your opening financial buffer is enough to cover the gaps you're seeing.
Keep coming back to the planner as things change. Moving a job from expected to confirmed, adding a new booking or updating a cost can give you a much clearer picture of what's ahead.
A NOTE ABOUT YOUR PLAN
This planner is a practical planning tool, not financial or tax advice. It can help you explore how income and costs might affect your cash flow, but it can't account for every aspect of your individual circumstances.
Remember that expected income isn't guaranteed, and the figures in your plan will only be as accurate as the information you enter. Keep updating it as jobs, costs and circumstances change.
Related Freelancing 101 resources
Your cash-flow plan is only one part of keeping on top of freelance finances. These tools can help you work out what to charge, stay on top of monthly admin and make getting paid easier.
Rate and day-fee calculator
Look beyond the headline fee, understand what a job is really paying and explore what day rate you might need to make freelancing sustainable.
Your monthly freelance money check-in
A simple monthly checklist to help you stay on top of invoices, expenses, records, tax planning and what's coming next.
Invoice template and checklist
Create a clear invoice, check you've included the right information and make getting paid that little bit easier.
Last reviewed: September 2026
Links and guidance can change. Check the date and scope of any external information before relying on it.