Saket Nikhade

  In behavioral finance, not every dollar is considered equal, even when it is of the same numerical value. One of the most salient examples of this phenomenon is the House Money Effect, a mental bias that leads individuals to take more risks with funds they feel are "won" or "freely obtained." This mental aberration borrows its name from gambling, where individuals tend to be more likely to make riskier bets with winnings they feel came from "the house" (i.e., the casino), as opposed to their own hard-earned money. But this phenomenon isn't exclusive to casinos—it reappears in stock markets, business investments, and even individual spending choices. Understanding the House Money Effect At its core, the House Money Effect refers to the tendency for people to be more risk-seeking with profits, bonuses, or unexpected windfalls than they are with money they earned through labor or effort. Psychologically, this “free” money is perceived as less valuable, ...

  Capital budgeting is a pillar of financial decision making within any company. It is the process through which companies evaluate, plan, and select long-term investments that are aligned with their strategic goals. Whether building a new plant, launching a new product line, or investing in new technology, capital budgeting helps companies determine whether a project is financially viable and worthwhile. This article covers the fundamental concepts, the step-by-step process, and how to do a full feasibility analysis for capital budgeting. Understanding the Concept of Capital Budgeting Basically, capital budgeting is the method used to determine whether long-term investments of an organization are worthy of finance. These types of decisions are typically involving substantial sums of money, long-term implications, and vital strategic significance. In contrast to operational expenses, which are recurring and have instantaneous impacts, capital expenses yield payback over a series o...

  Microsoft Excel is still the most robust and available business budgeting and financial planning tool available. While most users are comfortable with standard formulas and templates, higher-end Excel features can take your budget process to the next level in terms of quality, productivity, and strategic value. Tools such as Solver, PivotTables, What-If Analysis, Data Validation, and Power Query enable the conversion of Excel into a dynamic budget engine. This article delves into these sophisticated tools and how they might be used to improve budgeting precision and decision-making. 1. Solver: Budget Allocation Optimization The Solver add-in is Excel's most robust optimization problem-solving tool. It enables users to determine the optimum value for a formula based on a collection of constraints—perfect for budgeting scenarios where one needs to optimize outputs or minimize expenses with limited resources. For instance, Solver may be utilized to maximize departmental budget dis...

 For finance management these days, budgeting is just the starting point. The value lies in when organizations recurrently monitor and measure how their actual performance compares with their planned budgets. Two of the finest tools utilized for this purpose are variance analysis and waterfall charts. Not only do these methods show variances between projected and actual outcomes, but they also help identify the underlying reasons, allowing organizations to take corrective actions in time and remain strategically focused. Variance analysis involves the comparison of actual performance with budgeted figures to ascertain any difference—variances. These variances may be favorable (where performance exceeds expectation) or unfavorable (where performance is below expectation). For example, if actual sales revenue is higher than estimated, then that's a favorable revenue variance. Similarly, if production cost is higher than was budgeted, then that's an unfavorable cost variance. Var...

  Budgeting is an important financial planning instrument that organizations employ to allocate resources, monitor performance, and realize strategic objectives. But there is no single approach to budgeting. Various companies employ various methods depending on their size, goals, industry setting, and leadership philosophy. Among the most frequently applied are Incremental Budgeting, Zero-Based Budgeting, and Value-Based Budgeting. Each boasts strengths, weaknesses, and best-fit applications. This article discusses these three methods in depth to assist you in deciding which suits your organization best. 1. Incremental Budgeting: Simplicity with Stability Incremental budgeting is perhaps the oldest and most common budgeting technique. Here, this year's budget is formulated by taking last year's budget and making small changes to it—typically adding or subtracting line items for inflation, growth, or strategy changes. The power of incremental budgeting is that it's straigh...

  Budgeting tends to be seen as a game of numbers—forecasting revenues, guessing expenses, and coordinating financial plans. But beneath the financial models and spreadsheets exists an important human factor: budget psychology. What people think about and how they engage with the budget process is crucial for delivering not just financial precision but organizational alignment, motivation, and performance. Budget psychology encompasses the attitudes, behaviors, and motivations of stakeholders when budgeting, and plays a central role in securing buy-in, transparency, and accountability. 1. Stakeholders in Budgeting: Who's at the Table and Why It Matters All budgets affect a broad array of stakeholders—from department managers and front-line staff to investors and top leadership. Each has varied priorities, expectations, and influence. Finance departments can emphasize cost control and profitability, operations can stress adequate resource allocation, and sales can urge additional s...

 Crafting a successful business budget isn't an exercise in finance alone—it's a strategic imperative. A properly prepared budget serves as a map, directing organizations to their financial and operational objectives while keeping costs in line and performance on track. Whether you're a startup, a small company, or an enterprise-level operation, becoming proficient in the budgeting process can assist you in making knowledge-informed decisions, maximize your resources, and plan for the future. This handbook provides practical advice and guidance to assist companies in creating realistic, flexible, and strategically tied budgets. 1. Know Your Business Strategy and Objectives The initial step towards creating a meaningful budget is knowing your company's short-term goals and long-range strategy. Ask yourself: What does the business want to happen in the next one to three years? Regardless of whether your objectives are to generate more revenue, save money, introduce new p...