One of the greatest challenges faced by the small businesses is acquiring financing for the business. The beginnings of most of the new businesses are considered to be the riskiest and most problematic phase and this is applicable for any kind of business. Though there are various funding sources, getting the funds can be actually challenging. If a business is not able to get the right help in the form of financing, they may end up incurring huge debts and may have to opt for debt consolidation, and may even have to file for bankruptcy.

Small business financing

Small businesses generally face problems in getting financing for a start up because the lenders may think that the business may face initial setbacks. So, how can you get proper financing for the startup of your small business?
You need to chalk out a good and unique but practicable business plan.

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The US small business administration has reminded homeowners, renters and businesses who have received low-interest disaster loan applications for damages caused due to disasters to return the application forms by 11th July. The SBA approved above $ 5million in Disaster Assistance loans for residents of Mississippi and other business owners affected by flooding.

Frank Skaggs, director of SBA Field Operations says, “Currently, we have approved $5,190,800 for individuals and businesses in Mississippi.” On getting the loans approved, people of Mississippi can start rebuilding and resume back to their normal lives.

Disaster loans of up to $200,000 for primary residents, $40,000 for personal property and $2 million for businesses and non-profits are extended by the SBA to small businesses. Int

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It may be deceptive marketing… or maybe it just focused on what the phone did REALLY well… apps.

But it is funny…

If a picture is worth a thousand words, the following chart from the IMF encapsulates all the analysis one needs to understand why Mr. Trichet and the rest of the Eurozone bureaucracy are so adamant about not letting Greece restructure its debt.  The leverage ratios of some of Europe’s country banking systems are nothing less than stunning.   At the end of the day,  it was Lehman’s leverage coupled with its overexposure to a declining asset class that brought it down.  Once the markets sniffed this Lehman’s liquidity was cut off and rest is history.

A Greek sovereign restructuring followed by, say Ireland and Portugal, and market speculation that Spain and Italy may be next, could bring down many of Europe’s  thinly capitalized country banking systems.    Fed Chairm Read full post…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has today downgraded its forecast for the US economy expecting growth of 2.5% this year and 2.7% next year.

The forecast for next year is below the Federal Reserve’s prediction of 3.3%.

The Washington-based Fund was providing its annual review of the world’s largest economy and is warning the US to come to an agreement to lift the Government’s borrowing limit.

The warning comes as the Obama administration and Congress are in tense negotiations over making budget cuts before approval is given to raise the limit.

Last month, the US Treasury reached its $14.3 trillion limit and needs to raise the ceiling by 2 August or the country will default on its debt.

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Here’s an interesting post from “Tentblogger” about How a blogger can get legal protection from libel and slander.

It turns out  you may already be covered for a certain amount of insurance for claims of “Personal Injury” under your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance.

The other option is adding an “Umbrella liability policy” …  but check out the article for more details and be sure to inquire of your property and casualty insurance agent.

And, I suppose, try not to make too many people mad!

Tomorrow Ill publish a more robust and detailed article on this subject but given how high gas prices are threatening to go, wanted to touch briefly on it today.

Understanding that financing vehicles is more expensive than paying cash, lets consider how much it costs Betsy and I to own our paid off vehicles perhaps we should be riding our bikes more!

We currently own a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix and a 2000 Jeep Cherokee .  Both vehicles have been paid off for years but despite that fact how much are they costing us each month and do we really need to own both?

No, we dont need both, but will most likely hold on to both until one dies.  We will not, however, be replacing both.

Adding up our costs of insurance, maintenance, fuel, etc we found that our 2 paid off vehicles are costing us roughly $750/month.  As mentioned above, Im publishing a detailed article on the topic tomorrow so watch for that.  In the meantime, check out these other personal finance articles from around the web.