Prepaid Business Credit Cards
Prepaid business credit cards are a new generation of credit cards that are becoming increasingly popular amongst individuals and businesses alike. There are many advantages to using a prepaid card, so if you have yet to find a business credit card solution to suit you then here are some ideas about why prepaid cards could be the answer.
What Are Prepaid Cards?
Prepaid business credit cards work just like credit cards. Instead of being forced to carry around large sums of cash, you can make purchases (large or small) using your credit card. You can use this anywhere where you would use a traditional credit card, and you will enter your PIN number as if you were using a normal credit card. What is the difference? The fact that you are not spending money that is credited to you, because you are spending money that you have already paid into your account in advance (much like a debit card, but branded as a credit card).
The Benefits of Prepaid Credit Cards for Business
Many business like to make large purchases, so prepaid credit cards avoid the hassle of carrying around cash and offer a solution just like a regular credit card. They help in keeping track of the business funds and spending. This means you will never overdraw on your business account and never encounter interest rates, which is a big bonus!
Prepaid business credit cards are not suitable for all business, but in many cases they could save you a lot of money. All it takes is to ask the credit card issuers to see if that have a prepaid option available.
Small Business Help With Financial Problems
(The 7 Powerful Steps To Reverse a Financial Crisis In Your Business - Part two)
Step 2. Step Back And Evaluate
Don't throw good money after bad. Remember that when you spend money on the product or for materials you can't get that back unless you sell it.
The rule here is that you never borrow money to keep your small business going. It has to stand on its own two feet. Money to solve financial problems can be injected if it is for a capital item that will over time produce improvement in profits.
Don't gamble! If you break this rule you do so at your peril. Do a financial analysis on your personal expenses and your small business. This is the starting point of any analysis.
Fill in "Doc 2" below with the view of completing every detail accurately that is applicable to your situation.
All answers should be a yes for each question if your business is sound. If not, follow the steps at the bottom of the financial analysis to find out what percentage of financial problem you are in.
Step 3. Cost Cutting
Cost is your greatest enemy. Look at unnecessary expenses and find every way to eliminate them.
TIP: keep emotions out of all decision making on this topic.
This exercise should be conducted whether you or your business has problems or not. Determine if your advertising works. An ad must recover its costs in sales and expenses or you shouldn't do it.
Step 4. Cash flow
A small business must have access to working capital. Some ways to enable you to do this may be:
Overdraft from the bank, Credit line from the bank using your business or house as equity, numerous credit cards, Fixed loans from banks, friends or relatives.
Step 5. Managing money through your bank account ("Doc 3")
This is the easiest way to manage a business's cash flow and profits. The system is broken up into four (4) bank accounts:
1. Business account
2. Business money management (overdraft) account
3. Tax and other yearly expenses account
4. Living account
Step 6. Other considerations
Has the business been given a reasonable chance to work?
Have I cut all unnecessary costs?
Is my business expanding?
Are sales or work coming in regularly
Step 7. Too Close Or Not Too Close
I never like hearing of a small business closing but sometimes it's best to close and start something else that has better possibilities.
If you've realistically cut expenses just to maintain a business and it still loses money each month and you can't see the possibility of improving your situation, close it down and start again.
However you had better learn from what you are doing now because the experience you gained on this business will be invaluable in evaluating and operating the next one.
Summary Even if you aren't in crisis, cut costs. You will enjoy making a lot of money instead of just surviving. If you are in crisis act quickly and turn the ship around.
DOC 2 CHECKLIST FOR FINANCIAL BUSINESS CRISIS EVALUATION
1 Can I pay my business expenses on time when due
2 Can I pay my business expenses without touching savings
3 Can I pay my personal living expenses when required
4 Can I pay my personal living expenses without touching savings?
5 Are my personal and business accounts growing
6 Do i have enough money for holidays each year?
7 Do I have a debt free credit card?
8 Can I put some money into investment monthly?
9 Do I have a savings account that holds 10% of all monies that I earn?
10 Do I have enough money saved so I can survive for 6 months without an income in case of emergency?
Total no of yes checks ________ X 10 = ________
Divided by 1.2= ________ X 100% = ________ % chance of being in a crisis
If your results are 15% or less chances are you have a good business. If your results are 16% to 33% you have a very good chance of tweaking your business to set it right.
However if the results are above 33% the chart below will tell you what you should consider doing in your business to rectify and bring it into the correct balance.
Percentage Action / Remedy
16% or more
Make some small adjustments to your business or personal finances
33% or less
Make some substantial adjustments to your business or personal finances
50% or less
Make some substantial adjustments to your business and personal finances
60% or less
Make drastic changes to your business, personal finances and delay all / stop spending and get advice
67% or less
Make drastic changes to your business, personal finances, delay all / stop spending and get advice
76% or more
Make plans to wind up your business and think seriously about your future in business and starting again
DOC 3 MANAGING MONEY THROUGH BANK ACCOUNTS
Priority Order and Account Name
1 Business Account
2 Business overdraft Account
3 Yearly expenses Account
4 Living Account
Purpose
1 Business expenses
2 Working capital for cash flow purposes
3 Tax and other yearly expenses account
4 Living account
HOW IT WORKS (with every dollar you receive)
1 Every cent goes into this account
2 A cheque is drawn from account no.1 to repay any moneys that were used to perform your project and cover all expenses for the project including wages, THIS ACCOUNT MUST NOT BE USED FOR/OR DRAWN UPON FOR ANY OTHER REASON
3 You bank your estimated tax % of the cheque you received from each job (usually it is about 20 - 30% of the profit)
4 A cheque is drawn to manage the household living (supported by DOC one in Part one).
BALANCE
1 Positive
2 Always leave neutral at the end of each month one month in arrears
3 Your work estimations should include the allowance for paying tax. This account will always be in credit.
4 You can spend this account at any time
Notes: In an Internet business this is a little easier to do than in a traditional business. These are the things you have to ensure so that the above can happen.
Firstly at the time of the job or business transaction that is accepted by a client, you go ahead and draw the cheques from the no 1 account. Hold them for banking until the customer has physically paid for the job.
Now this gives you the power to monitor the progress of the job. If you see for example that you are getting behind in time for the completion of the job, be prepared to stay and work longer on the job to keep within budget.
In addition to that be on the look out to cut costs of materials and products that have not been specified in the quotation price. In order to enable you to do this, you will have to make agreements with your employees and staff.
The agreement, (which should not be negotiable when a business is in crisis) is that they will work back so that you can complete the job in the time you have quoted on. If you cannot get this commitment then consider (within employment agreements) alternative options for the offending employee's replacement.
Fast Small Business Loans
Fast loans offer a solution to urgent cash requirements, with a minimal amount of documentation. Small business loans are available for businesses that operate at within a limited budget and require cash to expand or start a new venture. Fast small business loans are specially designed to make the required cash amount available to businesses, as fast as possible.
Most of the conventional loans provided by the traditional banks require the businesses to explain the need for the cash advance. They generally also demand the business document, supporting their claims and the plan of investment. These measures are in addition to the usual proof of identity, income and bank statements.
Fast small business loans are a preferred option for small business owners, as they have no long-term obligation and no fixed payment schedule. The repayment period for the loan amount is usually for six months. This type of funding also saves the business from the strain of long-term traditional bank loans. The repayment amount is not fixed and varies according to future sale volumes. The lending companies take a promised percentage of the credit card volume, generated through the swipes made by customers. The businesses make payments according to the increase or decrease in their sales volume.
Fast small business loans are provided on the basis of certain criteria, such as the number of years in business and average gross income of the most recent quarter or financial year. After the requirements are met, the funds are deposited into the business account, within ten days.
In the case of traditional loans, for additional funding, the businesses have to go through the whole application procedure again. The fast small business loans provide extra funding, after receiving a phone call from the borrower. This saves them from reapplying and the time involved.