Published on: 13 February 2021
Last Updated on: 26 December 2024
The aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic saw a string of businesses file for bankruptcy. The United States saw many B2B businesses including, FTK Worldwide (Jewellers), Contact Transport (Logistics and Supply), and others opt for the bankruptcy route.
Legal experts are of the opinion that no two bankruptcy cases are the same. They differ in terms of their exposure, risks, legalities, and the court judgment. Even if two companies file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7, their judgments and orders can be different.
In this article, we speak to a leading bankruptcy Birmingham law firm that specializes in these issues. we ask them about some important things businesses and their owners need to keep in mind before filing for bankruptcy.
List of Important Things you need to know before Filing for Bankruptcy
1. Chapters 7 and Chapter 13 are Important for Individuals and Businesses
Legal experts suggest that solopreneur ventures and sole proprietorships that are individual-centric should go for filing bankruptcy under Chapter 7. This puts a stay to debt and credit obligations and allows individuals to even retain control over their property.
Businesses that are well-established should opt for Chapter 11. This helps in keeping the business entity alive and allows for a payment restructuring plan that works to ensure complete repayment over a period of three to five years.
2. Hiring Legal Help is of High Importance
It is important to understand that individuals or businesses looking to file for bankruptcy should always avail of expert legal help. If you are trying to use Google to do all the paperwork, you might get into serious trouble in the near future.
Bankruptcy laws are incredibly complex and technical. In particular, Chapter 7 allows liquidation of debt to take care of financial obligations and absolve the individual from repayment. All collection attempts must stop. Subsequently, a bankruptcy trustee collects non-exempt valuable assets and sells them to pay off debt. The law discharges eligible debts, such as credit card loans, medical bills, and old utility bills. So, you need an experienced bankruptcy attorney to help you fend off the debtors, and work with the courts and the banking institutions. At the end of the day, you do not want criminal proceedings to be initiated by any of the parties.
You can hire an expert in your area, such as a Florida Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer. A bankruptcy lawyer’s job is to help you overcome debt, so they’ll guide you through the process by offering advice or assisting you in filing for bankruptcy protection.
3. Bankruptcy does not mean All Debts go away
If you were under the impression that bankruptcy is going to help you walk away scot-free think again. Legally, the following are some areas where bankruptcy will not be able to help you-
Alimony Payments
Student Loans
Taxes on Luxury Items
Taxes
Child Support Payments
All the above-mentioned areas and payments are not something that the court can give you relief from. If you miss your payments or taxes, new legal cases can be brought up against you in a court of law. The punishment and legal repercussions for the same will be different.
For this reason, it’s a must to talk to an experienced attorney and a personal financial advisor who can help you determine other options for addressing these problems. Social workers and community leaders can also help. The government and private sectors offer programs for citizens needing financial and social support services. They’ll help you get through difficult times, so don’t hesitate to consult them.
4. Your Credit Score will get Affected Post-Bankruptcy
According to leading legal experts, ten years is the period where your credit score will carry the blemish of your bankruptcy declaration. If you are looking to get loans or credit during the period, the same might get very difficult. You need to be prepared to address the credit score.
Some lending companies may offer you a personal loan. But the interest rates are high. You can take the risk to recover gradually from poor credit standing. However, you’ll have to make sure that you pay your loan on time.
Fortunately, there are some professional services that have come up in recent years that can help you improve your credit score within a short period of time. If you want to get back in the game, you can always avail of such services.
5. Bankruptcy can help you give Yourself a Fresh Start in Life and Business-
It can be stated that most businesses that suffered because of the pandemic did so for no fault of their own. In such instances, legal experts suggest that bankruptcy can be a sound tactical and strategic decision that can be taken by businesses and individuals.
Banks, lending institutions, and even the judges that will be hearing the case are already aware of the drastic and negative economic fallouts of the pandemic. In fact, there have been cases, where the banks have discussed with lenders and worked out a positive restructuring plan to help individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic.
The Bottom Line
Filing for bankruptcy can probably the single hardest decision you would have to take in your entire life. However, rather than make the decision an emotional one, it is best to exercise reason and proper judgment and take help from an experienced legal attorney to find your way.
Read Also:
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
Non-fungible tokens came into the spotlight in 2021.
They were introduced on the crypto market way before, but the public didn’t show interest until then. Despite the crypto winter, non-fungible tokens continued to be in demand because people have seen the worth of digital assets.
Even if some holders were concerned that they would lose finances due to the bear market, NFTs proved resilient. 95% of the total number of NFTs are minted on the Ethereum blockchain, and when the Ether’s price drops, NFT values will follow suit.
Even if most non-fungible tokens have lost part of their value during the crypto winter, the market seems to have bounced back since the beginning of 2023. Ethereum’s price registered a steady increase over the last few months, and the NFT market is expected to head on a growth trajectory, especially because developers have announced the launch of innovative platforms and projects.
Here Are The Seven Most Popular Non-Fungible Tokens Of 2023
This article explores the most popular non-fungible tokens of 2023 so you know which project to invest in; suppose you want to join the market.
1. Bored Ape Yacht Club
Bored Ape Yacht Club is one of the most well-known NFT collections available on the Internet. Yuga Labs LLC launched the project, which consists of a collection of 9,999 randomly generated images of apes, created according to 170 different traits.
Those who join the Bored Ape Yacht Club gain access to numerous products and activities. The project is stored on the Ethereum network and has attracted famous investors like Justin Bieber, Jimmy Fallon, Snoop Dogg, Timbaland, Paris Hilton, and Steph Curry.
Initially, each NFT cost 0.08 ETH, but as the project gained more popularity, the prices spiked to 91 ETH, with some apes getting more valuable than others.
Mutant Ape Yacht Club is a collection derived from the original one, including 20,000 Mutant Apes. They were created to reward the Bored Ape Yacht Club investors and encourage crypto holders to join the NFT by offering alternative products connected to a well-known collection.
2. Jump.trade
Jump.trade is a unique NFT project as it’s the first Cricket NFT people can play in the Metaverse. It sold over 55000 cricket player items in the first 10 minutes after the project was launched on the market. The holders can play games or earn passive income from owning the players. The game was launched in 2022, and since then, numerous cricket enthusiasts have joined the community.
3. Azuki
Azuki took the NDT sector by storm in 2022 when it was introduced, and it has maintained its popularity ever since. The project consists of 10,000 avatars that offer owners access to The Garden. Azuki is also running on the Ethereum blockchain and offers holders access to exclusive events and products.
We listed Azuki among the NFT projects worth adding to your portfolio because initially, there were 8,700 items minted for 3,400 and sold out immediately. It took NFT enthusiasts only 4 minutes to purchase the entire collection. In only 30 days, the project gained $300 million in trading volume, and everyone has started to compare it with Bored Ape Yacht Club.
Azuki promotes the idea of mixing the digital and physical worlds in a community-only environment. Its alliances and characters are used in live events, NFT launches, and even streetwear.
4. World of Women
Unfortunately, the cryptosystem is still male-centric. However, efforts toward diversity and inclusivity are made, and projects like World of Women are created to encourage more diversity. World of Women is an NFT project started by women in collaboration with The Sandbox, the well-known play-to-earn metaverse game. It aims to grant $25 million to offer women education in the crypto sector so more could join and take advantage of its benefits.
The collection is composed of 10,000 pieces of artwork of randomly generated women. Reece Witherspoon, Eva Longoria, and Dez Bryant are only some of the celebrities who invested in this project.
5. Crypto Baristas
Crypto Baristas are the ideal non-fungible tokens for those who love coffee, as they are unique characters pouring coffee. The project was developed on the Rarible blockchain and consists of 60 hand-drawn characters by the Coffee Bros and Tony Bui. There are three types of Crypto Baristas NFTs according to their rarity level. The project aims to create a community of people interested in innovation, coffee, art, and investing.
This project is new in the sector, but the artwork was sold as soon as it was launched. The demand for secondary sales is huge at the moment, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the characters and their holders.
6. Cool Cats
Cool Cats was launched in 2021 and has become the third most popular NFT project sold on OpenSea. Investors can purchase Cool Cats items using Ethereum and other digital currencies on exchange platforms like SuperRare, Rarible, and OpenSea. The Cool Cats community is one of the most active in the industry, and the founders are working relentlessly to improve the project.
The NFT project boomed in popularity after Mike Tyson used a Cool Cat NFT as a Twitter profile picture. Among the celebrities who invested in cool cats are Alexis Ohanian, Reece Whiterspoon, and Steve Aoki.
Related: Beyond Digital Artwork: 5 NFT Uses
7. Hape Prime
Hape Beast developed Hape Prime which became viral on social media immediately after its release in 2022. The collection of NFTs includes 3D artwork of hype beasts, which have been transposed into streetwear items.
Hape Prime is derived from the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection and is one of the most successful projects. At the moment, there are over 300,000 Twitter users following the official page of the project. Besides investing in NFTs, people also purchase clothing items from the collection the brand launched in 2022.
What’s more to say?
The NFT sector is constantly evolving, and new projects and platforms are launched daily. While some of them could grow to the popularity of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, others could remain unknown to the public for years. Whether you are an investor or collector, we hope the above top helped you figure out what projects you should turn your attention to.
Read Also:
When Will The Crypto Market’s Bear Run End: Experts Answer
How A Crypto Lawyer Can Help You Understand Regulations
Crypto Staking: Locking Up Crypto Holdings To Earn Interest
Market fluctuations, similar to complex financial maneuvers like 'shorting a stock,' profoundly impact various industries, including global travel. These financial market movements often result in noticeable shifts in travel trends worldwide. This article will explore how market fluctuations can influence global travel, breaking down the topic into detailed sections for better understanding. But before that, you need to understand how stock shortening and your travel plans are related.
Stock Shortening And Travel Plans
Stock shorting, or short selling, is a financial strategy where investors bet on the decline of a stock's price. The connection between stock shorting and your travel plans may not be immediately apparent, but they can be related in a broader economic context.
When investors engage in short selling, it's often a sign they anticipate a downturn in the market or the performance of specific companies. If a significant number of investors short stocks related to the travel industry (like airlines, hotels, or travel agencies), it can indicate expected financial trouble in that sector.
This anticipated downturn could lead to reduced investment in the travel industry, potential cutbacks on services, or even bankruptcy of travel-related companies. These changes can affect your travel plans, leading to higher prices, fewer choices, or unreliable services. Additionally, a broader market downturn, signaled by widespread short selling, can impact the overall economy, affecting your finances and, consequently, your ability to afford travel.
In summary, while stock shorting is a specific investment strategy, widespread short selling in the travel sector can indicate impending financial challenges in that industry, potentially impacting the cost and quality of travel options available to you.
SoFi states, “While shorting can be a useful investment tool, it’s also very risky. That’s because there’s no limit to how high a stock can go, meaning there’s also no limit to the losses a short seller can potentially book.
Now, coming back to the main topic. How Do Market Fluctuations Impact Global Travel Trends? Go through these points in detail here:
1. Exchange Rates And Travel Costs
One of the most direct impacts of market fluctuations is on exchange rates. When a country's currency value changes, it affects the cost of travel for international tourists. For example, if the currency value drops, the country might become a more affordable destination for visitors, increasing tourism.
2. Consumer Confidence And Travel Decisions
Market fluctuations can affect consumer confidence, which in turn influences travel decisions. When the market is strong, people feel more financially secure and are more likely to spend on travel. Conversely, in times of economic uncertainty, individuals may choose to postpone or reduce their travel plans.
3. Impact On Airfare And Accommodation Prices
The travel industry, including airlines and hotels, often adjusts prices in response to market changes. In a robust economy, you might see an increase in prices due to high demand. During economic downturns, however, there may be more deals and discounts to encourage travel.
4. Business Travel And Corporate Budgets
Market conditions can have a significant impact on business travel. Companies may expand or reduce travel based on their financial performance and market forecasts. In uncertain times, businesses might reduce travel expenses, affecting the volume of business travel globally.
Market fluctuations significantly influence global travel trends. These changes impact everything from travel costs and consumer confidence to investment in travel infrastructure and traveler behaviors. Understanding these dynamics for industry stakeholders and travelers is crucial for navigating the ever-changing global travel landscape. Knowing market trends can help make better travel decisions and adapt to the evolving economic environment.
Learn More About:
What Is A Commercial Leasing Agent?
Choosing The Best Photographer for Your Event
6 Common Myths busted for the insurance agent exam
One of the common reasons why small businesses fail is the lack of working capital. Poor financial decision-making can be detrimental to your small business.
This will not scare you or put you off the idea of starting your very first business. However, it is to convince you how important it is to draft a financial plan for your small business.
The importance of predicting your financial health is not just to maintain a steady cash flow but also...
Understand how lucrative your business is in the long run.
How long will your business be at break-even (no profit, no loss)?
When can your business start making a profit?
Most importantly, what is the contingency plan of any financial hurdle?
In this blog post below, we will be discussing the following:
Importance of a financial plan for your small business.
Elements of a financial plan for your small business.
A template to create a small business plan (for any business).
Importance Of A Financial Plan
Here is why you should begin creating your very first-ever financial plan for your small business.
1. A Business GPS?
Imagine yourself driving to a new destination without knowing where you are or in which direction you should proceed.
This is what it is like to open a business without having a financial plan.
A financial plan will give you a clear roadmap to your business journey, and determine how much to spend on each destination.
2. Where Is The Goal Post?
We all have a vague idea of what a startup goal should be. However, getting overwhelmed is common without a clear picture.
A financial plan will provide you with a clear goalpost. I am talking about tangible, measurable, and achievable goals.
Whether you want to expand your business, increase profits, or reduce costs, a financial plan gives you a clear path.
3. What Ifs & Risks!
It is given that your business won’t be smooth sailing forever!
Businesses often face unexpected expenses. It could be something as simple as equipment breakdowns or sudden major market changes!
As a business owner, being financially ready is a crucial step!
A financial plan can help you set aside emergency funds, so you're prepared for these surprises.
4. A Long-Lasting Impression
Want investors early on for your business? Then, it would help if you offered them a steady financial plan.
Remember, lenders and investors want to see a well-thought-out financial plan before they commit their money.
Therefore, having a solid plan shows them that you understand your business's financial health, its cash flow, and the potential profit opportunity. Hence, we are serious about making your business a success.
5. Improves Financial Decision-Making
With a financial plan, you better understand your cash flow, revenue, and expenses.
This knowledge helps you make informed decisions, like when to invest in new equipment or whether to cut costs.
Important Elements Of The Financial Plan Of A Small Business
Before you begin your financial planning, you should be aware of the different financial jargon for a business.
1. Cash Flow Projection
This includes predicting the market, what effect your product will have on the market, and how much you can earn from it.
Now, taking the potential amount you create capital expenditure for each month. The function of a cash flow projection is to ensure you have enough (at the end of the month) in terms of expansion.
It is common for a business to live month by month with no profit for the first six to eight months of the business. Essentially you are establishing your business.
However, if it crosses the one-year mark with just a break-evens, the following could be the reason:
Your business is not making money because of the lack of demand.
The expenditure is way over your income. You must start some cost-cutting methods.
There is a lack of marketing, and your small business is not reaching the target audience.
You do not have enough investment for the small business you are starting.
Keep these points in mind when starting your cash flow!
2. Balance Sheet
A balance sheet is a financial estimation of your small business’s current state. Here are some of the important items your balance sheet will have:
Income & Expenditure
Total owning & total owing (personal debts or small business loans).
Assets that are currently under collateral.
Upon reading it might sound simple. However, when it comes to a balanced business sheet, you will require a finance professional to craft one.
3. Personnel Expense
This brings us to the next point in any financial plan for a small business. The personnel expense, or the amount you are spending on hired personnel.
It doesn’t always have to be your employees. In fact, the number of employees for a small business will hardly reach 15 in the very first year.
A personnel expense includes individuals working as consultants for the business, and the different professionals you hire to help with the internal work (e.g. Finance officer to create the balance sheet).
Some of the common elements of a personnel expense are:
Cost is based on the positions each professional is holding.
Personal insurance plans for your workers (at least medical insurance).
Expenses are spared for other professionals working externally with the business.
4. Assets
The tangible assets that your small business owns:
Current Assets: What the business currently owns. These include inventories, machinery & tech devices, prepaid expenses (for example, digital tools), and other office supplies.
Tangible Assets: The one that physically exists under the name of your small business. Real estate (This will not include rented warehouses or offices. These will go under the expenditure section), land inventory, tangible investment (gold & bonds), and saleable merchandise.
Non-Tangible Assets: These are assets that are not in a physical form. Intellectual property, pre-paid tools, investments (stocks, Cryptocurrency, mutual funds).
Non-Operable Asset: Assets under your small business but from which you are not getting any income. For example, land you have an investment in but not yet open for any business-related functions.
Operable Asset: Assets that your business owns currently, and that are bringing some income. For example: produced goods, factory space, warehouses, and office space.
5. Products & Services
The products and services you are planning to offer will also come into the financial planning for small businesses.
These include the following:
The raw materials are required to create the goods.
Factory costing.
Warehouse costing.
Transport & Drop shipping costing.
Worker’s salary & insurance.
Contingency management funding. (In case of any accident or unpredictable situation).
The summation will give you the total cost of production. With which you can create and understand the market value of your product.
This step is very important to assess the profit and loss of each item.
6. Income Projections
Another crucial part of small business finance planning is prediction. This is how you can predict whether your income will have any substantial income.
Here is how you can protect your business income (before starting it):
Check business income projections of competitors through several data analyses.
Is your small business subject matter trending in the market? What is the current market share of such companies?
Are investors willing to invest in a business venture as such? In fact, check some of the Shark Tank successes, and analyze which business venture seems more profiting by investors themselves.
The inflation rate of the past decade regarding the product or service you are about to sell also matters.
7. Marketing
You cannot spend everything on logistics and not worry about marketing.
One cannot ignore this matter, especially in today’s day and age when small businesses are reaching new milestones by a simple influencer shoutout, or social media virality!
Here are some of the factors in which you will need to spend in marketing:
Social media marketing tools.
Influencer marketing.
Small ad-films over YouTube.
Website building and digital marketing (Website domain and SEO tools).
8. Risk Management
No business is protected from the risks that come to every business in its lifespan. However, the contingency plan is not getting ambushed by a sudden change.
Here are some of the financial risks/uncertainties your new business could face:
Market Risk: The ups and downs of the current & dynamic economy. In fact, after the pandemic, things have become a little less predictable.
Reputation Risk: Social media is indeed bringing customers and businesses closer. However, the downside of such connectivity is the risk of a tampered reputation, especially when audiences jump to conclusions upon hearing anything on the internet.
Competition Risk: This is a common risk every business faces. When your competitors launch something new & exciting, there could be a significant shift in sales numbers for you.
Environmental Risk: One good example of environmental risk that has previously impacted businesses majorly is the pandemic.
Political Risks: The political scenario of your country can have a considerable effect on your business, especially in terms of export-import & business expansion.
This is one of the reasons why having a financial contingency plan for managing sudden risk is one of the crucial components of a business financial plan.
Business Template For A Startup
As promised, we have a business template that will help you take that very first step for your startup.
Financial Plan For Startup (Template)
Table of Contents
1. Financial Overview: A Financial Overview will consist of a financial overview of your business’s current state. Also, please provide the key points and takeaways of the financial data that you will provide.
4. Assumptions – Market Research: This is the step for market research and predicting the business’s profit potential.
5. Break-Even Analysis: A table or graph which provides information on the number of units your business needs, and how much you need to sell to make a profit.
6. Financial Statements: This will include the following charts.
- Profit & Loss (Optional if you have a startup)
- Cash Flow Statement (How the monthly cash flow will look)
- Balance Sheet (Monthly/Quarterly/Yearly Income & Expenditure)
Elements For Your Balance Sheet
The following is what your balance sheets should include based on items required: monthly, quarterly, and yearly income & expenditure.
Operational Financial Plan
Business Location and Facilities
Technology and Equipment
Key Operational Processes
Supply Chain and Inventory Management
Management and Organization Financial Plan
Organizational Structure
Key Management Team
Roles and Responsibilities
Hiring and Training Plan
Financial Plan
Start-up Costs (for new businesses like loans, downpayment; collateral, and personal investments)
Revenue Projections
Expense Projections
Cash Flow Statement
Profit and Loss Statement
Break-even Analysis
Funding Requirements and Strategy
Funding Needed
Purpose of Funds
Potential Funding Sources
Funding Timeline
Key Risks
Risk Mitigation Strategies
Financial Tools to Ease Your Job
In the modern age of technology, you can always lean on tools to automate some of the financial tasks.
So, if you need that digital assistance when
Begin Your Journey!
This is a sign for you to begin your journey as a first-time business owner. Yes, it is overwhelming, and yes it can be intimidating (hence the long procrastinating period!).
Creating a financial plan for even a startup can be intimidating. Here is how you can make this journey a little easier.
Start with defining your business first. The executive plan is a must. You should know what your business is all about.
Then, move through the basic income and expenditures.
Take help from professionals in tax advice and create a detailed balance sheet.
Finally, consider seeing your whole financial plan in a timely manner. It is important to take one step at a time.
Hopefully, we can give you enough answers about a business financial plan. How is your journey going? Please let us know in the comment section below.
Read Also:
Tax Implications For Independent Event Planners
Use Online Event Payment To Streamline Your Payment Process
Everything you Need to Know About Term Insurance Plan Premium
Financial Planning For Contractors: Ensuring Project Viability
It is important to understand that individuals or businesses looking to file for bankruptcy should always avail of expert legal help. If you are trying to use Google to do all the paperwork, you might get into serious trouble in the near future.
Bankruptcy laws are incredibly complex and technical. In particular, Chapter 7 allows liquidation of debt to take care of financial obligations and absolve the individual from repayment. All collection attempts must stop. Subsequently, a bankruptcy trustee collects non-exempt valuable assets and sells them to pay off debt. The law discharges eligible debts, such as credit card loans, medical bills, and old utility bills. So, you need an experienced bankruptcy attorney to help you fend off the debtors, and work with the courts and the banking institutions. At the end of the day, you do not want criminal proceedings to be initiated by any of the parties.
You can hire an expert in your area, such as a Florida Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer. A bankruptcy lawyer’s job is to help you overcome debt, so they’ll guide you through the process by offering advice or assisting you in filing for bankruptcy protection.
If you were under the impression that bankruptcy is going to help you walk away scot-free think again. Legally, the following are some areas where bankruptcy will not be able to help you-
According to leading legal experts, ten years is the period where your credit score will carry the blemish of your bankruptcy declaration. If you are looking to get loans or credit during the period, the same might get very difficult. You need to be prepared to address the credit score.
Some lending companies may offer you a personal loan. But the interest rates are high. You can take the risk to recover gradually from poor credit standing. However, you’ll have to make sure that you pay your loan on time.
Fortunately, there are some professional services that have come up in recent years that can help you improve your credit score within a short period of time. If you want to get back in the game, you can always avail of such services.
