Getting a loan is a big step:
From a financial point of view, acquiring a loan is a big thing. It should never be made as light decision. Experts in Management will tell you that irrespective of the amount of the loan, you must exercise as much caution as prudence demands.
Why do people buy loans?
The last recession has left a negative effect on people. The inflation that came with it and after is still high and the worst thing out of these two things is that it has drained people out of their emergency funds.
A recent survey has come out with this startling truth that more than 90 percent of the country’s population does not have an emergency fund in place; nope no savings at all. Merely hand to mouth, this means that by any stroke of cruel faith, a person loses his job, he has nothing to fall back on till he finds himself a new job.
Most people have only one place to turn to in such circumstances
Yes, you guessed it right! Acquiring loans is the only way out for most of them. But considering that you need to service and repay your loan beginning as soon as possible to reduce the spate of charges that can be added to spiral the loan amount skywards, it is important that you make sure that a loan is an absolute necessity. Resources like
Mammoth Investor are great for looking for financial information and can help you when you are comparing loans.
Loans must be taken to only cover emergencies
1. Determine if the money borrowed is essential;
2. Budget your expenses to create a savings fund for the rainy day
3. Study the loans available in the market first. And thoroughly
4. Calculate the loan, ask around people, check the interest rates, and use amortization calculators to check what liability you will end up with at the end of the day.
5. Keep a tab on your
credit scores. It is the lifeblood of your financial stability.
6. Read your loan documents carefully before signing on the dotted lines.
7. Be wary of brokers and online lenders.
While some of the above pointers are self-explanatory, we will endeavor to broadly cover some of them to be able to drive the point home.
Checking your credit score and net worth
Everyone who is making money will know their income and expenses more or less like the back of their hands. There is something more important that lenders look for when you approach them for a loan.
Credit history is an important document that you must furnish to your lender at the time of applying for the loan. The credit scores can be obtained free from several companies in your state.
The credit score says a lot about your net worth. It gives the lender an idea that his money will be safe with you and that you are capable of honoring your commitment by repaying him without default.
The higher credit score will mean that you pay less interest on your loans and the other way round. That is why it is recommended to have a good credit history while approaching a lender. It can save thousands of dollars of your hard-earned money from being paid as interest on your loan.
Beware of lenders that do not ask you for your credit scores/history
A lot of people who suffer bad credit scores lookup online for lenders. These lenders who operate digitally usually do not insist on credit history, and that is one red flag that there is an issue.
If an online lender is happy to lend you his money without a thorough check on your credit history, they are most likely very shady. They could even be scammers who will not pay you a penny but will acquire all your personal information and even collect huge processing fees and scamper off to unknown locations. You will not even have a physical address of theirs to demand answers to take legal action.
You may also want to be wary of the brokers who will usually help you with the paperwork but will rip you off with heavy service charges. It is a good idea to talk upfront about their commission before engaging their services.
It works to let the lender pay him his commission from the money that is borrowed then you shelling it out from your pockets. Maximum remuneration should not exceed more than 15 percent of the loan value as per industry standards.
You cannot afford to be ignorant
When you are thinking of getting a loan for acquiring something say a house or a car, it is important that you read about it, ask a lot of people about it and also make sure that you are getting a good offer before you sign those documents.
Negotiating your loan
Be aware that you do not have to accept the rate of interest or the repayment terms that the lender asks you to. You have all the rights to be able to negotiate the terms and the rates in order to make sure that you do not get ripped off.
Financing an asset can help boost your credit score
A lot of dealers will tell you that financing the asset will help boost your credit score, but that is not the entire truth. The credit score can be boosted even if a part of the value of the asset is financed. So, you must aim at paying as much down payment that you can afford and only the remaining must be financed.
Ignorance is not bliss!
There are wolves out there waiting in sheepskin to pounce on you and rip you off. It is better to be safe than sorry later. Do your own research and make sure that the service you are using is highly reputed.