by OverHeadWatch Team | Aug 4, 2017 | Cost Reduction, Library
Many business owners will take on debts to fund their venture in different ways. Some will use a startup business loan to fund all aspects of launching their business. Others may take out short-term loans to cover accounts receivable shortages or fixed term loans to pay for vehicles, expenses and more. If your business is like most, you may make multiple payments to various lenders each month to pay for debts that you have taken out over the years. Creating a business debt schedule is a smart idea because it can help you to better manage and ultimately reduce your debts.
What Is a Business Debt Schedule?
Before you can take advantage of a business debt schedule, you need to know what it is and how it can help you. A business debt schedule essentially is a list of all of the debts that your business carries. It includes the names of your lenders, the outstanding balance, the payment amount, the due date, the interest rate and the final payoff date. While this typically includes all types of loans, it also may include notes payable, leases, contracts and other debts that your business is responsible for.
Who Needs to Use a Business Debt Schedule the Most?
Are you wondering if you need to prepare a business debt schedule? All business owners should understand their relationship with business debt at all times. You may take on new debts and reduce outstanding debts regularly, so this relationship can change quickly at times. You must understand what your monthly liabilities are as well as what your total debt ratio is. By creating and updating a business debt schedule regularly, you will always have access to the information you need. Therefore, all business owners should create and use a business debt schedule on a regular basis.
How Much Is Usually Spent on Business Debts?
Business debt can be used strategically and effectively to help you grow your business. Because of this, you should not look at business debt as a negative factor. However, debt can become burdensome at times, and you could easily take out more debt than you can reasonably manage. This ultimately could place your business in financial jeopardy. Business debt varies from company to company and industry to industry, so there is not a catch-all answer to the question of how much companies usually spend on their debt payments. However, you can use a schedule to determine if your debt load is too burdensome and to develop a strategic way to reduce debt balances when necessary.
5 Ways to Reduce Spending on Business Debts
If you have decided that you need to reduce the debts listed on your business debt schedule, you may be wondering what the best options are for you to accomplish this goal. These tips will help you to more effectively achieve your goals and reduce business debt balances
1. Reduce Spending
The best way to reduce spending on business debts for revolving accounts is to pay down debt balances. If you are looking for ways to make it more affordable to make these larger debt payments, consider how you can reduce spending in other areas. For example, is there a way to reduce payroll expenses by downsizing or to save money on electricity? Any savings that you can generate through operational changes can be allocated to larger debt payments and faster debt reduction.
2. Consolidate Debts
In some cases, you may be able to reduce the overall monthly debt payments that you make by consolidating your accounts. This can help you to make it more affordable to make these payments on time. For example, you may be able to consolidate all debts into a single business loan, or you may be able to transfer credit card debt to an account with a lower interest rate or a transfer offer. Explore all debt consolidation options, and thoroughly analyze the pros and cons before taking action.
3. Refinance Debts
Another idea is to refinance your business debts by applying for new financing. You may be able to take out a debt consolidation loan or business loan that you use to pay off most or all outstanding debts. Look for a low-interest rate financing option as well as a loan with a fixed term. A fixed term establishes the debt on a regular payment schedule and defines the final payoff date for you. This may lower your monthly payments and assist with faster debt reduction in some cases.
4. Make More Frequent or Larger Payments
Regardless of how you structure your debt, you need to make more frequent payments or larger monthly payments in order to reduce your debt balance at a faster rate. You may consider using a debt repayment calculator online to determine the best repayment option that will produce the fastest results for you. For example, it may be more cost-effective to pay off higher interest rate debts before low interest rate debts. It also may be more strategic to pay off loans that only have a few payments left before focusing on longer term debts.
5. Use Cash to Make Future Purchases
Another critical step to take when you want to save money on your business debt schedule is to avoid taking on new debts. Plan each purchase carefully to ensure that you have cash available to make it. Do not apply for any new debts until you have made significant progress at reducing the existing debts that you have.
Creating a Schedule
Your business debt schedule is a critical resource that can help you to determine where your business stands financially as well as what you may reasonably do to improve your current financial situation. If you have not yet prepared a schedule, now is a great time to take this step. Then, you can analyze your schedule to determine the best course of action that could potentially help you to save money on your company’s regular debts.
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