Adopting a tactic widely used by 3G Capital, the Brazilian private investment group behind the recent merger of Heinz and Kraft Foods, a growing number of the world's largest food and packaged goods companies are asking their suppliers to give them as much as four months to pay their bills - even though they typically require payment from their own customers in 30 days.

Nearly 80 percent of international businesses are unable to take advantage of early payment discounts from their suppliers, mostly due to internal payment process bottlenecks, according to global research report by Basware and MasterCard.

Is it wise to take advantage of early-payment discounts offered by suppliers? Or should you make other use of your cash until payment is due? There are lots of things to consider.