In reply to Neil Williams:
I have lost count at the amount of business owners that have advised me to run mine on an overdraft and take every penny profit out that I can. That's not my way though, I like having a fairly cash rich business that I know is secure, 2 weeks ago ish I told all my staff that I could afford 3 to 4 months of full pay with no revenue coming in (only 10 at the moment). Its a comforting feeling for me and the guys and girls. I normally have a years worth of operating capital but the last few years trials have whittled it down a lot.
Well that's not strictly true, I put %50 down on a couple of workshops and offices just before my business partner came down with Parkinsons and then a string of disasters like 2 heart attacks, a broken leg, a broken arm, 2 shoulder operations and 3 fingers cut off (3 different people) plus being screwed over for 50k ish means the deposit money hasn't built back up again yet but it will do.