How to Get Your Business Debt-Free

It doesn’t take much for a small business to find itself in debt. A slow month, an unexpected closure, delayed deliveries – even minor issues can throw a wrench in the works. Getting your business out of debt and back on sound financial footing requires a bit of legwork and belt-tightening, but gaining control of your budget can help ensure your long-term success and prosperity. That’s why Spectrum Accountants has put together the following tips and resources to help you make the best decisions for your company.

Shore Up Your Budget and Get Organized

It’s important to go through your budget line by line, not with a goal of “cutting back,” but of eliminating every single expense that’s non-essential. This isn’t to say these items have to be removed forever, but the first step in getting and staying out of debt is to pay down what you owe, then set aside an operational “cushion.” For this approach to be effective, you have to be honest with yourself in making determinations about what is and isn’t a necessity. Remember, necessity means you can’t operate without it; everything else is up for discussion, evaluation, and possible cutback.

It’s also possible that some of your financial troubles are the result of a lack of payment from your own customers and clients. If so, there are a number of tactics and approaches that can help, like being persistent, charging late fees, and setting up payment plans for your customers. You can also simplify and streamline the process by using the best free online invoice maker out there to assist you not only in seeking repayment but also in maintaining precise records.

Prioritize Expenses

Some expenditures you’re likely under contractual obligation to maintain – for example, if you have a building lease or contracts with vendors. While you might not be able to back away from these expenses, you may be able to renegotiate terms. Review the fine print of your agreements to see where you stand. You also need to use caution in downsizing staff, especially if they perform critical functions in your operation. You may be able to supplement with freelancers or independent contractors if you don’t need people in a full-time capacity. Also, keep in mind your marketing and advertising costs. Pare back and bootstrap in this area, but don’t eliminate it entirely, as you need to stay in front of your customers and prospects. 

Develop a Repayment Plan

Stay in touch with all of your creditors so you can maintain a healthy credit score. If you get into collections, you could put yourself in a position where it’s difficult to secure new credit or get decent interest rates in the future. You may be able to defer some payments or request an affordable repayment plan. Prioritize your debts, and when you pay a one-off, put that same amount toward the next debt on your list so you continue paying things down.

For example, if you pay $200 a month on loan A and $50 a month on loan B, once loan A is paid off, put $250 toward loan B. You’ll get out of the high-interest debt cycle much faster. Of course, you’ll need to continue paying for the essential services that keep your business operational.

Learn From Your Experience

Investigate all of the factors that got you into debt in the first place and create a solid financial plan moving forward. For example, if you carried multiple product lines, but only a handful were successful, you’ll know in the future to focus on your money-makers; if you overestimated sales, you now know to take a closer look at financial projections. A skilled bookkeeper, accountant, or financial advisor may be able to help. If you don’t have a business plan in place, you’ll want to write one, and stick to it. Not only will it serve as a road map, but you can also use it to apply for low-interest loans and grants. The key to success is focusing on grants specific to your industry and following the application guidelines to the letter. You may qualify for funds to expand, train staffers, or even make capital investments.

Struggling with debt as a business owner can be stressful and disheartening, but if you respond in a thoughtful and professional manner, it can strengthen your operations moving forward. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help as needed.

Spectrum Accountants is located in Great Bend, KS and is an expert in all areas of accounting, bookkeeping, consulting, outsourcing, payroll, and business services. Call (620) 792-5378.

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