Financial Experts Share Their Top Tips for Managing Business Debt

Take Stock of Your Debts

The first step is to get a full picture of what you owe. Make a list of all your business debts and loans, including the original amount, interest rates, monthly payments, and payoff dates. This helps you prioritize which debts to tackle first. “Getting organized is key to developing a winning repayment strategy,” notes one Reddit user.

Explore Refinancing High-Interest Debt

If you have high-interest debts like credit cards or short-term loans, consider refinancing to a lower rate to reduce interest costs. “Refinancing high-rate debt helped my small business dramatically cut monthly payments,” explains a business owner on Quora. Look into options like business loans, lines of credit, or balance transfer credit cards.

Set Up Payment Plans

For large tax debts or overdue supplier invoices, ask if you can set up installment payment plans to slowly chip away at balances. “The IRS allowed our bakery to pay off $15K in payroll taxes over 6 months, which was crucial for managing cash flow,” a Redditor shares.

Use Retirement Funds If Necessary

As a last resort, you may be able to use retirement savings to pay off business debts without early withdrawal penalties. “I used my IRA to pay off high-interest credit cards and avoid bankruptcy,” says a lawyer on Avvo. Be aware of the risks, and consult a financial advisor first.

Increase Income and Decrease Costs

To free up more cash for debt payments, brainstorm ways to boost revenues or cut expenses. “We expanded delivery services to increase sales by 40% with little added cost,” an entrepreneur explains on Reddit. Or see if you can negotiate discounts with vendors and suppliers.

Consider Debt Consolidation

Debt consolidation combines multiple debts into one new loan with a lower monthly payment. “Consolidating helped reduce our monthly repayments and simplify bill paying,” writes a Quora user who consolidated business loans. Make sure the terms make sense for your situation.

Prioritize Paying Down Debts

Focus on paying off your highest-interest debts first while making minimum payments on all other debts. “I made a plan to pay off credit cards first before tackling long-term equipment loans,” says a FindLaw small business owner. Automate payments so you never miss debt due dates.

Staying on top of managing business debts takes work, but being organized and exploring options can help reduce stress and keep your company financially healthy over the long run. Let me know if you have any other questions!