Mastering Cash Flow This Festive Season  

Ah, December—the busiest, jolliest, and, let’s be honest, often the most stressful time of year for small businesses. While everyone else is wrapping presents and enjoying a festive drink or two, business owners are managing stock, juggling bookings, and budgeting for extra holiday wage costs.  

It’s no secret that the festive season is a delicate balancing act for many small businesses. Walking the tightrope between higher demand, increased costs, and ongoing economic challenges, means managing cash flow effectively has never been more important. With the right strategies, though, you can navigate the holiday trading season with confidence—and maybe even a little extra cheer.  

Let’s look at some actionable tips on how you can keep your cash flow merry and bright this December.

1. Navigating the holiday spending surge  

December is a great time to boost sales, but it also brings its fair share of operational costs. From stocking up on extra inventory to ramping up holiday promotions, every decision can quickly add up. Plus, increased staffing costs—thanks to longer trading hours and public holiday penalty rates—can really start to impact on your bottom line, especially in industries like retail and hospitality.  

With all these expenses stacking up, it’s easy for cash flow to get tight. That’s why it’s important to get ahead and start mapping out your expected holiday costs. Don’t just think about stock and staffing—make sure you’re factoring in things like bills, marketing, and any special perks or gifts for customers and your team. Having a clear picture of where your cash is going will help you plan better and avoid surprises.  

Pro tip: Build a buffer for unexpected costs. It’s always smart to have some extra cash on hand to cover any unexpected costs. By planning ahead, you can avoid scrambling when things get busy and stay focused on making the most of the season.  

2. Let Your Cash Work for You  

December is all about cash flowing in and out, but what about the funds sitting in your account? Instead of letting your cash rest idly, why not make it work harder for you?  

Consider placing your surplus funds in an account that offers a competitive interest rate, keeping it accessible when needed. With Tyro’s fee free Bank Account, you can earn an introductory interest rate of 5% ** on your savings for up to six months—available for a limited time when you sign up between 13 November 2024 and 28 February 2025.  

It’s a great way to kick start your savings for the new year, helping you offset holiday expenses or build up a financial cushion for quieter months ahead.  

With Tyro’s flexible banking solutions, your money works harder for you, giving you more options and peace of mind during the festive season—and beyond. 

3. Don’t Let Settlement Delays Disrupt Your Festive Flow 

During the busy December period, settlement delays can catch some small business owners off guard. But what exactly does that mean for your cash flow?  

When you accept payments from customers—whether through EFTPOS, credit cards, or other systems—the money doesn’t immediately appear in your bank account. Instead, it goes through a process called “settlement,” where the funds are transferred from your customer’s bank to yours.  

Typically, this takes one or two business days. However, during the holiday season, public holidays and weekends can extend this timeline. So for instance if your business is trading on Christmas Eve (24 December), you may not receive your money until 30 December, depending on your bank’s processing schedule. That’s because many banks pause settlements on non-business days, which can mean delays of up to a week. This can be a real challenge when you need consistent cash flow to cover expenses.  

That’s where same-day settlement can make all the difference. Tyro’s Bank account, allows you to settle your daily takings every day*, even on Christmas Day. It means you’ll have access to the funds you need to restock, pay staff, and keep your business running smoothly—all without the stress of settlement delays interrupting your festive flow.  

4. Stay Agile with Real-Time Insights  

The festive season is fast-paced and unpredictable. A surge in sales might call for a quick restock, while unexpected expenses can throw off your budget. That’s why having access to real-time insights is so valuable.  

Tools like the Tyro App give you an up-to-date view of your daily takings and business performance across multiple locations—anytime, anywhere. With this information at your fingertips, you’ll have a clear picture of your current financial standing, helping you make quick, informed decisions that keep your business on track during the holiday rush.  

Real-time visibility lets you stay agile, whether you’re readjusting for stock shortages or planning for upcoming expenses, ensuring you can respond to changes as they happen.  

5. Choose Financial Tools That Work for You  

In a season where every day counts, having financial solutions that support your business is crucial. From managing transactions seamlessly to giving you faster access to funds, the right tools can ease the pressure and help you focus on what matters most: delivering an exceptional experience for your customers.  

Look for solutions that align with your needs, whether it’s flexible banking options, integrated payment systems, or faster settlement times. The right partner can take some of the financial stress off your plate.  

This December, Say Yay to No Delay  

Managing cash flow in December doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning, staying on top of settlement timing, and making your money work harder for you, you can sail through the festive season with confidence—and set your business up for success in the new year. As you prepare for the busiest time of year, remember: reliable cash flow can make all the difference. So try to look for solutions that help your business stay on track, and allow you to keep things running smoothly this holiday season.  

Terms and Conditions  

^{*Settlements are paid 7 days a week when you meet the following eligibility criteria: • The daily takings from your Tyro EFTPOS and/or eCommerce facility are settled into the TyroBank Account; and • The Flexible Settlement Allocation feature is configured to leave a percentage of your daily takings in the Tyro Bank Account each day.  Available settlement times are from 8pm to 5am (Sydney time). Excludes Alipay, HealthPoint and funds settled directly by Afterpay, American Express, and JCB.}  

^{2   Settles instantly into your Tyro Bank Account, otherwise within a few business days if your EFTPOS transactions settle to a non-Tyro bank account.}

^{**These terms and conditions govern this offer (Offer Terms). These Offer Terms are to be read in conjunction with the Tyro Terms and Conditions (General Terms and Conditions) and the Tyro Bank Account Terms and Conditions (together the Tyro Terms and Conditions). If these Offer Terms are inconsistent with the Tyro Terms and Conditions, these Offer Terms prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.}

^{Capitalised terms in these Offer Terms have the meaning given to them in the Tyro Terms and Conditions unless otherwise defined in these Offer Terms. ‘You’ and ‘your’ means the person(s) who apply for, and are provided with, Tyro Bank Account.}

^{The Offer is available between 12:00am 13 November 2024 (Sydney time) to 11:59pm 28 February 2025 (Sydney time) (Offer Period).}

^{To be eligible for this Offer, all of the following criteria must be met (Eligibility Criteria)}

• ^{you must apply to open a new Tyro Bank Account with Tyro during the Offer Period (New Tyro Bank Account);}
• ^{you must not be an existing Tyro Bank Account holder; and}
• ^{the New Tyro Bank Account application must be approved by Tyro within the Offer Period.Provided the Eligibility Criteria are met and notwithstanding clauses C.16.1 and C.16.2 of the Tyro Bank Account Terms and Conditions, your New Tyro Bank Account will accrue interest on the daily cleared credit balance of your New Tyro Bank Account at an introductory fixed interest rate of 5% p.a. (the Introductory Interest Rate). Interest will accrue at the Introductory Interest Rate until the earlier of the first 6 months from the date that we issue the New Tyro Bank Account to you (Promotional Rate Period) and the day you instruct us to close your New Tyro Bank Account.}

^{Following the end of the Promotional Rate Period, the interest rate applied to your New Tyro Bank Account will be as per clauses C.16.1 – C.16.3 of the Tyro Bank Account Terms and Conditions.}

^{This Offer is not applicable in conjunction with any other Tyro offer.}