These days things are tough all over.  For those individuals with variable incomes it's really tough.  People with variable incomes face quite a challenge when it comes to budgeting-- I am one of them.

I find that budgeting on a variable income is best accomplished by:

• Creating reserves or rainy day funds including stocking up on food and supplies (see my post, Our Frozen Assets)
• Lowering your fixed expenses as low as possible (see my posts, 5 Reasons to Lower Your Expenses and What is Your Cost Structure?)
• Paying certain bills ahead when the funds are high-- buy yourself time
• Paying cash for bigger discretionary purchases (don't finance the big screen TV)
• Looking for counter cyclical income opportunities

How do you cope with down cycles in your business?