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Funding math guides: will it pay back, and what will it really cost?

These guides answer the questions owners ask before taking funding: will the investment pay for itself, what does this offer really cost, which payment schedule fits my cash flow, how much can I afford and what does waiting cost. Each shows the formula in plain text with clearly illustrative numbers you can replace with your own.

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Equipment Payback PeriodHow long equipment takes to pay for itself, with financing and a down payment included.Read moreTrue Cost of an OfferA four-step worksheet: total repaid, net proceeds, cost per dollar and cost per dollar per month.Read moreWhat a 1.3 Factor Rate CostsDollar cost, fees, cost per dollar per month and why the term matters as much as the factor.Read moreDaily vs Weekly vs Monthly PaymentsMatch the payment schedule to how your deposits arrive, with a bank-statement test.Read moreDaily Payment to Monthly EquivalentConvert daily, weekly and percentage-of-sales payments into one monthly figure you can compare.Read moreInventory Funding PaybackMargin, turn speed, markdowns and break-even revenue for funded inventory buys.Read moreMarketing Payback MathAcquisition cost, gross profit per customer and campaign payback within the funding term.Read moreCompare Two Funding OffersFive lines that make any two offers comparable: cash, total, cost, payment and cost per month.Read moreHow Much Revenue Can Go to PaymentsSize payments from the cash you keep, add up every obligation and test your slowest month.Read moreHow Much Funding Can You AffordWork backward from a comfortable payment to the amount it supports, then stress-test it.Read moreCost of Waiting to Buy EquipmentLost gain during the wait versus financing cost, worked through both ways.Read moreStress-Test Your PaymentsRerun cash flow at 10, 20 and 30 percent revenue drops to see whether payments still fit.Read more

Does the investment pay back?

Payback guides compare the monthly gain from what you fund with the monthly payment, then total gain with total cost. They cover equipment, inventory and marketing, the three most common uses owners check before applying, and they flag the cases where the math usually fails.

What does the offer cost, and can you carry it?

Cost guides turn any offer into dollars and cost per dollar, convert daily and weekly payments to monthly figures, and compare offers side by side. Affordability guides work backward from your cash flow and test payments against a revenue drop.

More guides and tools

Browse the full guide library, run the funding calculators, or see business funding by state and city.

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Frequently asked questions

Are the examples in these guides real offers or typical rates?

No. Every number is an illustrative example chosen to make the arithmetic easy to follow. None is a quote, an offer, a typical rate or a promise of results. Plug in your own figures from your records and from the actual offers you receive.

Do I need a spreadsheet to use these guides?

No. Each formula can be worked with a basic calculator. A spreadsheet helps when you compare several offers or terms, and the term loan payment formula matches a spreadsheet's PMT function if you prefer to use one. Either way, write each step down so you can recheck the math when a real offer arrives.

Where should I start?

If you are deciding whether to invest, start with the payback guide for your use of funds. If you already have an offer, start with the true-cost worksheet. If you are unsure what payment you can carry, start with the affordability guides and the stress test.

Numbers checked? Apply once

See options and run the same math on each offer.

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Updated September 14, 2026 · Roifunder Funding Team