Is your small business struggling to make money? Don't worry – you can get help by changing your loans. Think of it like trading many small bills for one big bill that's easier to pay.
When you get a new loan, you can pay less each month. This means you'll have more money to grow your business. It's like giving your business room to breathe and get stronger.
You can go to banks or get help from the government. But first, you need to know three things:
- How good your credit score is
- How much money your business makes
- What you want your business to look like in the future
This will help you pick the best new loan for you and your business.
Signs Your Side Hustle Needs Help
Running a side job can be tough, and it's okay if things don't always go as planned. You need to spot when your business needs help to keep it running well.
Look out for these signs that show your side job is in trouble:
- You're making less money than before
- You can't pay your bills on time
- You use credit cards too much
- Your savings are gone
- You keep missing payment due dates
- You're losing customers
- Other businesses are taking your customers
- Your tools or machines are old and slow
- You spend more than a third of what you make to pay off debt
If you see these problems, it's time to make changes to help your business get better.
Understanding Business Debt Refinancing
Let's talk about making your business loans better.
Think of your business loans like a pile of bills that need sorting. You might've money you owe on credit cards, tools, or cash you got to help your business grow.
When you want to fix these loans, you can join them into one big loan. This can help you pay less each month. It's like trading many small bills for one bigger bill that costs less.
You might also get better deals on how much you need to pay back. This makes it easier to keep track of your money and know when to pay your bills.
Debt Types and Terms
Taking on debt for your business is like borrowing money from a friend – you need to know how to pay it back. Let's keep it simple.
You can borrow money in different ways. Banks can give you a big loan all at once. They can also let you take small amounts when you need it. You might get money just to buy tools. Some companies will give you cash now and take a bit of your sales later.
Before you get a new loan, look at what you pay now. Check if you have to pay fees for paying off your old loan early. Look at the interest rate – that's the extra money you pay to borrow. New loans might've rates that stay the same or change over time.
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Many small business owners like SBA loans from the government. These loans give you more time to pay and cost less in the long run.
Just make sure your business makes enough money to pay the loan back on time.
Consolidating Multiple Business Loans
Dealing with many business loans can feel heavy, like carrying too many bags at once. It's hard to keep track of who you owe and when to pay them.
You can mix all your loans into one big loan. This makes things much easier. Think of it like putting all your coins into one jar instead of many small ones.
First, find all your loan papers. Add up how much you still owe. Look at what you pay now in fees. Then look for a new loan that costs less and has better rules.
When you join your loans, you often pay less each month. This helps your business save money. It also makes it simpler to know when and how much to pay.
Many business owners feel better when they only have one loan to think about. It helps them stay on top of their money and sleep better at night.
Benefits of Debt Consolidation
Managing many debts from your side job can feel scary. It's like trying to catch too many balls at once! But there's a simple fix – you can join all your debts into one big debt.
When you put all your debts together, you only need to make one payment. This makes things much easier. Think of it like putting all your toys in one big box instead of many small boxes.
Here's what makes this a good idea:
- You pay less money each month
- You only need to remember one due date
- You can plan better for your bills
- You won't feel so worried about many payments
When you don't have to think about lots of different bills, you can spend more time making your side job better. You can focus on helping your customers and making more money.
This is like cleaning up your money mess so you can do what you love. With one simple payment, you can breathe easier and work smarter.
Types of Refinancing Options
Getting a new loan to pay off your business debt can help you save money. Let's look at three ways to do this.
Banks offer the first way. If you have good credit and make money each month, you can get lower rates. This means you pay the same amount each month for a long time.
Next, there are SBA loans from the government. These loans give you more time to pay back the money. Many small business owners like these loans.
But you need to show lots of papers to get one.
The third way is using online lenders. They say yes or no very fast. You don't need perfect credit to get their loans.
The rates are higher, but they work well if your business is new or your money comes in at different times.
Calculating Your Current Debt Load
Let's add up how much money you owe each month.
Look at all your bills and write down what you pay on loans and credit cards.
Watch out for tricky fees, like rates that go up and down or fees you pay each year.
Also, check if you have to pay extra to pay off a loan early.
Write all this in a simple list.
This will show you which bills cost the most in interest, so you know which ones to fix first.
Total Monthly Payments
Your monthly payments are important to understand before you try to get new loans for your small business.
Just like you, many people who run a business on the side need to keep track of what they pay each month.
To find your total monthly payments, follow these simple steps:
- Write down what you pay for all your business loans
- Add up your credit card bills
- Count what you pay to rent things like tools or office space
- Add up what you pay to buy supplies
Keep your home bills away from your work bills.
When you know all your payments, you can see if a new loan would help you save money each month.
Identifying Hidden Interest Costs
Your money has hidden costs that you need to find. Look at your credit card bills, what you pay for equipment, and how you pay suppliers.
Make a list of who you pay interest to – like credit cards and supplier loans.
To know how much interest you really pay, look at:
- The yearly interest rate
- Extra fees when you pay late
- How often interest adds up
- Fees for using cards
- Yearly fees
- Fees for paying early
Many small business owners find they pay more interest than they thought.
Check your store payment systems too – they often have extra costs you might miss.
Choosing the Right Refinancing Path
Want to get new money for your small business? Let's make it simple!
Think about what you need before you pick a new loan. You want to make sure it helps your business grow and stay strong.
Here are your choices:
- Banks give cheap loans but need lots of papers. They can be hard to get.
- Online loans are fast but cost more. Pick these when you need money right away.
- Government loans are good deals but take a long time to get.
- Person-to-person loans work well if your business is growing fast.
Look at how much money your business makes now. Think about how much it will make later. Pick the loan that fits your needs and won't cost too much over time.
Remember: A good loan helps your business grow. A bad loan can hurt it. Take your time to pick the right one.
Common Refinancing Mistakes to Avoid
When you want to get a new loan for your business, take your time and be careful.
Don't jump at the first offer you see. Talk to many banks and look at what each one can give you.
Be smart about how much money you take. Just because you can get more doesn't mean you should.
Look at all the rules in small writing. Some banks will make you pay extra if you pay off your loan early. The interest rate might also go up later.
Know your numbers well. Write down how much money comes in and how much goes out of your business each month.
Don't forget any costs. Be careful about using your house or car to get a loan. If things go wrong, you could lose them.
Preparing Your Refinancing Application
Getting ready to refinance your loan is like putting together a puzzle.
First, gather all your money papers. This means your bank papers, work pay slips, and tax forms – even from the extra work you do.
Your credit score is a big deal too. Think of it as your money report card. Check it to make sure it's right. If you see mistakes, fix them.
Then, look at your choices for new loans. Some loans keep the same rate. Others change over time. Pick the one that helps you save the most money and fits what you need.
Document Your Income Sources
Money Proof for Your Side Job
You need to show how much money you make from your side work when you ask for a loan. This helps banks see that you can pay them back.
Get these items ready:
- Your bank papers from the last 2 years that show money coming in
- Your tax papers that show what you earned and spent
- Papers that show if you made or lost money
- Money records from PayPal or other apps you use to get paid
Keep all these papers in order by date. Make copies to save on your computer.
Banks want to see that you've made money for at least 2 years. This shows them your work is strong and growing.
Evaluate Current Credit Score
Getting a new loan means you need a good credit score. You should check your score with three big companies: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Make sure all the info is right. Most banks want your score to be at least 640. If you want better rates, aim for 720 or higher.
If your score is too low, you can make it better. Pay your bills when they're due. Keep your credit card charges low. Fix any wrong info in your reports.
Don't ask for new credit cards or loans right now. Your bank might've a program to help you build better credit before you ask for your new loan.
Choose Refinancing Loan Type
Getting a new loan for your side job can be simple. Let's look at your choices.
You can pick from four types of loans that fit what you need. Each one works in its own way to help your small work grow.
Bank Loans: These are like your home loans. They keep the same rate and let you pay over a long time. They work best if your side job makes good money each month.
SBA Loans: The government helps with these loans. They've good rates and help small jobs like yours grow or fix old loans.
Credit Cards: These let you spend now and pay back later. Some cards let you pay no extra money for the first few months.
Online Loans: You can get these fast from the web. They work well if you run an online job or are just starting out.
Pick the one that feels right for your needs and helps your side work grow strong.
Negotiating Better Interest Rates
Getting better interest rates helps your money grow. Think about your business like a garden – the more you care for it, the better it grows.
Look for the best deals on interest rates. Talk to many banks and tell them about your good work. Show them how you always pay on time and how your business is doing well.
Have your money papers ready when you talk to banks. This helps them see you're smart with money. Join business groups too – they often get better deals from banks.
If you have used the same bank for a long time, tell them. Banks like people who stay with them and pay on time. This can help you get a better deal.
Keep it simple: ask banks what they can offer, show them your good work, and pick the best deal for you.
Creating a Repayment Strategy
Paying back your loans gets easier when you have a good plan. Think of it like building a house – you need strong building blocks.
First, pick the right time to make payments. Look at when money comes in from your extra work.
Next, put your money in the right places. Make sure you know which bills to pay first.
Last, stick to your plan. Don't skip payments.
To make this work:
- Look at your money each week
- Set up your bills to pay on their own
- Use 25% of your extra work money to pay debt
- Keep enough savings to pay bills for three months
These simple steps help you stay on track and pay off what you owe.
Using Freed Cash Flow
When you finish paying off loans, you have extra money each month. Use it wisely!
First, save enough money to cover three months of costs for your small business. This keeps you safe when sales are slow.
After you save enough, split your extra money like this:
- Put 40% into making your business bigger
- Use 35% to make your work easier and faster
- Save 25% to pay off more bills and grow your plans
Write down how you spend each dollar. This helps you see what works best.
Talk to other business owners in your area too. They can share good ideas about using money well.
Building Better Business Credit
Building strong credit for your business can help you grow and succeed. Think of it like building trust with people who can help your business.
Here's how to do it:
Keep your money separate. Open a bank account just for your business. Get a special tax number called an EIN.
Tell the big credit companies about your business. Think of them like report cards for your business. The main ones are:
- Dun & Bradstreet
- Experian
- Equifax
Buy from sellers who tell credit companies when you pay them on time.
Look at your credit reports often. Fix any mistakes you find right away.
Pay your bills on time. Don't use too much credit at once. If you do these things, your business will get a better score. This means you can get better loans and deals later.