MAM
Keep your kids engaged with audiobooks from Audible
Mumbai: With the advent of technology and the unpredictable Covid-19 impositions, digital consumption and frequent exposure to screen time have impacted countless young lives. According to a survey conducted in 2022, 57 per cent of children prefer watching TV. As a result, children spend a lot of their free time glued to digital screens which can be attributed to the increase in accessibility of kid-friendly engaging content on OTT and TV. However, excess screen time is not good for their eyes and overall development. Therefore, encourage your kids to listen to audiobooks, podcasts, and audio series. From literary classics, folk and fantasy tales, celebrity-narrated fables, and kid’s yoga books to a compilation of inspiring stories, find these interesting audiobooks only on Audible.
Little Baby Bum: Time To Dream (Series 1)
Written by: Angela Salt and Narrated by: Sian Brooke, and Scott Reid
Gently drift off your young ones to sleep with Audible’s Little Baby Bum: Time To Dream, with soothing nursery rhymes welcoming little ones into a peaceful night’s sleep. These quintessential nursery rhymes on Audible are perfect for parents who can’t always make time for a bedtime storytelling session for their kids. Curated for children aged one-two, these narrations transport listeners into a magical world of tranquil soundscapes with calming scores and lulling ambient sounds.
Lellobee City Farm: Grandma Mei’s Fantastic Folktales (Series 1)
Written by: Allan Plenderleith and Narrated by: Louise Mei Newberry
Kids love tales passionately and this Audible podcast is an adventurous treat for your children. In Lellobee City, best friends Ella and Rishi play together on Lellobee City Farm and enjoy the company of their wonderful Grandma Mei who narrates to them fantastic folktales collected from her travels around the world! Transport your children into the alluring and picturesque stories set in a Brazilian rainforest narrated by Grandma Mei complemented with realistic atmospheric background scores used in this podcast.
Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Makes It Big
Written and Narrated By: Dolly Parton
The exemplary music singer Dolly Parton accounts a story about her god-dog, a French bulldog ‘Billy the Kid’ who is trying to make it big as a country music star in Nashville, Tennessee. This audiobook is a delightful interpretation of standing up to people who put you down and finding the drive to achieve your dreams. Billy has a scuffle with his fellow barking friends and is dismayed due to his melancholic condition. This led him to rely on his favorite country music and the singer Dolly Parton to regain his self-confidence. This motivational tale with a pet protagonist will inspire your young ones to face their challenges head-on as they embark on their journey to achieve their dreams.
Written by: Heather Fawcett and Narrated by: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Mixed with magic and plenty of adventure, this seaside story of siblings on a treasure hunt is perfect for fantasy fans. The Snolly sisters discover three islands in their backyard while vacationing in their grandfather’s seaside property, The Misty Coven for the summer. Bee Snolly and her sister begin to believe in magic as these mysterious islands withhold a secret that helps the siblings assist their ailing grandfather on the path of recovery. This is a wonderful allegory to teach your children the values of faith, gratitude, and responsibility, so make sure to tune into The Islands of Elsewhere on Audible.
10 Most Inspiring Stories for Kids
Written by: Hans Christian Andersen and others Narrated by: Katie Haigh
Classic tales and stories are fundamental to children’s cognitive and creative development, as they awaken the imagination and bring essential teachings. These stories inspire children through important archetypes and symbolic imagery; they help children envisage fantastic worlds, full of possibilities and wonders. This specially designed compilation includes classic folk tales, and famous stories by Hans Christian Andersen and provides children with a formative overview of the best of children’s classics. The audiobook is an impeccable compilation of classic literature you must indulge your kids in.
Every business owner knows that capital is the lifeblood of growth. Whether you are expanding operations, purchasing new inventory, or upgrading technology, external funding often bridges the gap between ambition and reality. However, the cost of this funding, specifically the Business Loan interest rate, is a key factor in your company’s financial health.
Understanding how interest rates function is not just about knowing your monthly payout; it is about grasping how they influence your daily cash flow and long-term expansion plans. A competitive rate can support profitability, while a high rate requires careful planning to ensure sustainability.
How Is Business Loan Interest Rate Calculated?
Before understanding the impact, it is helpful to know how lenders arrive at a specific interest rate. It is rarely a random figure. Lenders assess several factors to determine the risk associated with lending to your business.
- Credit Score: A high credit score (typically 750 or higher) indicates financial discipline and often results in lower interest rates.
- Business Vintage: Lenders look at how long a business has been operating to assess its stability. A longer operating history usually indicates lower risk during loan evaluation.
- Financial Health: Your profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and financial statements are reviewed to evaluate your repayment capacity.
- Market Conditions: External economic factors, such as the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) repo rate, also influence lenders’ base rates.
Lenders use these criteria to calculate a specific interest rate that reflects your business’s risk profile. By maintaining a strong financial profile, you can qualify for more competitive rates, which help reduce your overall borrowing costs.
Impact Of Interest Rate On Cash Flow
Your cash flow represents the net amount of cash and cash equivalents being transferred into and out of your business. The Business Loan interest rate directly affects this balance.
- Monthly Outflows: The interest component is a key part of your Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI). A higher interest rate increases your EMI, which means more cash leaves your business every month.
- Working Capital Availability: If a large portion of your revenue goes towards servicing high-interest debt, you have less liquid cash available for daily operations, such as paying salaries, buying raw materials, or managing overhead.
- Profit Margins: Interest payments are expenses. Higher expenses reduce your net profit margin. If the return on investment (ROI) from the borrowed funds is lower than the cost of borrowing, it can strain your cash flow.
Effectively managing your loan’s interest rate is, therefore, important for maintaining healthy cash flow and operational stability.
Impact Of Interest Rate On Business Growth
While cash flow is about survival today, growth is about thriving tomorrow. Interest rates have a ripple effect on your expansion plans.
- Investment Decisions: When rates are low, the cost of borrowing is reduced. This helps businesses to take the next steps, such as opening new branches or investing in heavy machinery. Conversely, high rates might force you to delay these capital-intensive projects.
- Competitive Edge: Businesses that secure funds at lower rates can afford to price their products more competitively or invest more in marketing compared to rivals burdened by expensive debt.
- Future Borrowing Capacity: High-interest debt that strains your finances can affect your debt-to-income ratio. This might make it harder to qualify for additional funding in the future when you need to scale up further.
Therefore, a competitive interest rate is not just about cost savings; it directly assists your business’s ability to grow and compete.
How To Manage Interest Rate Fluctuations?
Interest rates are not always static, especially if you opt for a floating rate loan. Here is how you can manage the variance:
- Maintain a Strong Credit Score: Always pay your EMIs and credit card bills on time. A strong profile gives you leverage to negotiate better terms during balance transfers.
- Opt for Fixed Rates for Long Tenures: If you predict market rates will rise, locking in a fixed interest rate can provide predictability for your EMIs.
- Prepay When Possible: If your lender allows part-prepayment without high penalties, use surplus cash to reduce the principal amount. This lowers the total interest burden over the loan tenure.
By following these strategies, you can effectively manage the impact of fluctuating interest rates and ensure better control over your financial commitments.
Choosing The Right Lender
Finding a lender that understands your unique business needs is important. Look for one that offers Business Loans tailored to support your aspirations with competitive interest rates and transparent processing.
A lending institution like L&T Finance ensures you can quickly access funds after successful verification. With minimal Documentation and fast approvals, you can focus on what matters most: running your business. When you’re ready to take the next step, you can apply for a Business Loan online through their website or app for a seamless experience.
Conclusion
The interest rate on your Business Loan is more than just a percentage; it is a decisive factor in your company’s operational efficiency and growth potential. By maintaining a healthy financial profile and choosing the right lender, you can ensure that the cost of capital works in your favour.
Make better borrowing decisions to keep your cash flow healthy and your growth trajectory upward.
