It’s National Financial Planning Month in October. An ideal time to review year to date finances, budget for the holidays and plan for the new year. Loan Mantra, the premier online commercial lending platform for business has a number of free tools to help small businesses accomplish this. A financial planning checklist and free loan calculator are just a few of the resources that are available online.
“With the enactment of the Big Beautiful Bill, the current economic climate and upcoming tax changes on the horizon, there some key financial considerations that business owners need to be aware of and act on between now and the end of the year,” says Raj Tulshan, founder and managing partner of Loan Mantra.
Here are 5 Key Considerations:
Track, assess and collect.
It's crucial to track every expense meticulously for a few months to gain insight into your spending habits and pinpoint areas where you can reduce or eliminate costs. Consider negotiating lower rates for recurring expenses such as Internet or phone services, as any savings could directly benefit your business or monthly savings.
Additionally, it's important to assess how your employees spend their time to ensure that resources are being used efficiently. Identify any processes that can be streamlined or eliminated if they do not contribute to the bottom line. In terms of cash flow, unpaid invoices can pose a significant challenge. Regularly remind debtors of overdue payments and ensure that all agreements have clear payment terms.
Plan for capital in terms of cash flow, reserves and emergencies.
Cash flow remains one of the largest challenges businesses face with 82% failing due to cash flow issues and 29% running out of money before becoming profitable. The Federal Reserve made its first rate cut of 25 benchmark basis points since last year on Sept. 17. This may lower borrowing costs and make commercial loan approvals easier. It also provides opportunities for small business to refinance variable rate loans to fixed rates and the restructuring of debt to qualify for lower interest rates or government loan forgiveness programs.
It's crucial to forecast capital, credit and cash flow needs for the next 18 months, accounting for new product development and seasonal demands before it is needed. With the recent U.S. Government shutdown, one of the most popular sources of funding through the Small Business Administration could be delayed. Businesses need to take these delays into account and may have to consider optional capital sources. Securing long-term financing now is advisable, as funds and loans are currently accessible. Fintech platforms like those at loanmantra.com can help compare lenders and access capital quickly.
Plan capital for cash flow, reserves and emergencies.
If you will need new business equipment in the near future, the tax incentive, or bonus depreciation rate, is better in this year than in 2026. In 2026, the rate is set to decrease to 20%, before being eliminated in 2027. If you plan to make large capital expenditures, consider accelerating them to take advantage of the more favorable depreciation schedule.
It is also a great time to purchase commercial real estate. You will have less competition for prime locations, more negotiating power and can refinance the loan later, when interest rates go down. Commercial real estate values are shifting where some markets are offering bargains for businesses ready to buy or lease.
Use technology and AI to automate.
Even though small businesses make up the majority of the U.S. economy, the results of an Aug. 2025 survey by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) found that less than a quarter (24%) use AI tools in their operations. While it is estimated that 78% of large companies have already deployed AI in 2024. There are many FREE Tech and AI financial tools that can help small businesses save time and help reach financial goals. Here are a few:
- Akaunting: Provides tools for payments, invoicing and managing cash flow.
- Ramp: Helps track and categorize expenses.
- Loan Mantra: Offers the "the vault," a secure online portal for loan brokers and business owners to securely store and access financial information and credit reports.
- Chat GPT: Offers AI tools that can help conduct research, do competitive searches and help prepare excel spreadsheets for budgets and forecasting.
Make a succession plan.
Life is unpredictable, so it’s important to plan for the unexpected. While it may be unpleasant to consider, have a succession plan in place in case the business owner or leaders are injured, disabled or even die. Who will fill these roles in an emergency? Who will run your company if you’re temporarily or permanently unable to do so? How will you ensure a seamless transition so your business remains successful?
National Financial Planning Month serves as an important reminder for businesses to evaluate their financial strategies and ensure they are prepared for the future. By focusing on key areas such as tracking expenses, planning for capital and cash flow, utilizing technology, and preparing for unforeseen circumstances, businesses can strengthen their financial health and resilience. Loan Mantra's tools and resources offer valuable support in navigating these considerations, empowering small and medium enterprises to make informed decisions that will secure their long-term success.
About Loan Mantra
Loan Mantra is a one-stop FinTech business portal that democratizes the loan process by providing corporate sized services and access to new entrepreneurs, small and medium sized businesses. Small business owners identify two obstacles to their success: access to capital and financial education. At Loan Mantra, we remove these hurdles. We believe borrowers of all sizes should have equitable access to the $5.4 trillion marketplace of SMB financial products, lenders, government programs, and services. How?
Our end-to-end portal, BLUE (“borrower lender underwriting environment”) is built on decision-tree logic, so borrowers answer questions in the manner they understand best and find the right financial products and lenders. With a few simple clicks, our users complete loan origination paperwork; upload documents; connect or communicate with financial partners; and manage their loan process--anytime and anywhere. Our best-in-class FinTech meets NIST v. 500 standards so borrowers can safely store their financial records, making it painless to acquire more capital if they need it down the road.
As a minority-owned business, Loan Mantra understands the challenges facing underserved borrowers. Our mantra? To improve the future of human entrepreneurship through best-in-class technology, financial literacy, and commitment to equitable market access. Reach out today at www.loanmantra.com.