Explainer
Cash flow gap: the days between the money going out and the money coming in
A cash flow gap is the period when bills are due but income has not landed. Everyone who lives on lumpy income knows the feeling; few can see the gap coming. A dated calendar turns it from a surprise into a number you can plan around.
- Gaps become visible
The projected balance line shows exactly which days are negative — the gap, quantified.
- Gap length in days
See how many days each shortfall lasts, so you know how much buffer to build.
- Recurring gaps repeat too
A gap that happens every month gets flagged every month until you fix it.
- Free to map
The calendar that exposes gaps is free forever.
Three ways to close a gap
- Move a bill date: many providers will shift a due date to after your payday.
- Split large bills across paychecks with a holding pot.
- Build a buffer equal to one gap — a sinking fund for timing, not an emergency fund.
The math of a gap
A gap is simply a negative projected balance on a dated ledger. Its size is how deep the balance dips; its length is how many days it stays below zero. Knowing both tells you exactly how much buffer removes the problem — and whether moving one due date fixes it entirely.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cash flow gap?
The period when outflows are due before inflows arrive, leaving the balance temporarily negative or critically low.
How do I find my cash flow gap?
Enter your income and bills with dates and check the projected balance — the negative stretches are your gaps.
How do I close it?
Move due dates, split large bills across paychecks, or build a small buffer that covers the gap's depth and length.
Name the gap and it halves
Dated projection, free core, no bank linking.