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Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make When Shopping For Loans

November 25th, 2021 Posted in Money Tips
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Debt is not necessarily a dirty word. Most of us make use of it, whether responsible or not. In fact, it can be a highly valuable tool to help you when it comes to planning for your financial future. However, debts can turn bad when you don’t think hard enough or plan meticulously enough when it comes to getting out loans. Here, we’re going to look at some of the mistakes you should ensure that you avoid when you are looking for, applying for, or paying off loans.

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Not knowing how much you need and what for

The first thing you should do is make sure that you’re getting a loan for the right reason. If you’re borrowing simply for the sake of having some extra spending cash or as a debt management strategy, then you should probably take the time to look for other options instead. You should also get an idea of how much you need to borrow, in particular. For instance, if you’re borrowing so you can buy a house, then use a mortgage calculator to see how much you’re likely to need. You don’t want to borrow more than you have to, after all, or to borrow less than you need.

Failing to budget for those loans

One of the most important steps of managing your finances is building a budget. Your budget is the structured approach to expenses that makes sure you have enough to pay off all of your essentials, enough for some discretionary expenses, and some put aside for savings goals. Get a thorough understanding of what you’re going to be paying back each month and make sure that you put it into your budget. If you see that you don’t have room for it, you need to consider other options.

Not paying attention to the fees

You should not be looking at only the interest that you have to pay on your loan, nor even how much you’re going to be paying monthly. Depending on the kind of loan that you take out, you might find that there are all kinds of one-time or irregular fees that you have to pay. This can be at the start of the loan, once a year, or even at the end of the loan. Consider the loan type, look up some common fees, such as common mortgage fees, and get an idea of how much they might add. Do your research so you can tell when lenders are adding fees simply because they can, rather than because they’re necessary. This can help you weed out those greedy lenders that you don’t want to work with.

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Not getting your credit in order

Your credit score is going to determine the kind of loans you have. A low credit score is going to equal higher interest and less control over your loan terms. The higher your credit, the less likely you’re going to have to pay back and the more flexibility that lenders will offer you. No credit history is almost as detrimental as bad credit history, too. Low credit options like direct lender loans can help you start building your credit history. Otherwise, make sure that you’re taking steps to address any black marks on your credit report, such as paying any late fees, lowering your credit utilization rate, and tracking down and fixing any errors.

Not having your financials at the ready

When you apply for a loan, you should make sure that you have your financial details available to share with them. This can include bank balances, as well as reports of income, and the value of assets that you might have. The more information you can provide, the surer the lenders will be about how much you can responsibly borrow. Not having your financial details to hand can urge them to be more cautious since they don’t fully know your financial situation. Estimates can be bad, as well, as you might over-estimate or under-estimate, either taking on more debt than you can handle or shooting yourself in the foot so you can’t borrow as much as you need.

Not letting your credit “rest” for a while before

Lenders take a look at your credit report to help them judge whether or not you are a reliable partner in a credit agreement. Not only do they want to see that you’re able to manage a loan with them, but they want to make sure that you don’t like you’re making erratic or rash decisions or that you are already too deep into existing credit agreements. For that reason, even if you have accessible overdrafts or credit cards, you should avoid using them for a while, just while you’re applying for a loan. In fact, if you pay them off somewhat and lower your credit utilization rate, that can even help by bumping your credit score.

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Applying for too many loans at once

You don’t want too much activity on your credit report when applying for loans. When someone performs a credit check, you want to make sure that everything looks nice and calm. When you apply for a loan that results in a hard credit check, your credit report is going to keep a record of it. As such, if you’re applying for five loans at once, each of those lenders is going to be able to see that. Someone applying for a lot of loans at once isn’t going to look very reliable and, as such, you’re more likely to get rejected. Not only that, but when you get rejected after a hard credit check, it can drive your credit score down. As such, apply for one loan at a time and only after you’re reasonably sure that you’re in a good position for an accepted application. Don’t expect or put plans in motion based on that acceptance, but just put yourself in the best possible position for it.

Closing your credit cards before applying

You might think “I don’t want to look like I have too much debt on my plate” before applying. This is a good notion. However, this doesn’t mean that you close open credit agreements. Even if you are a little bit into your credit card and haven’t fully paid it off, keeping it open is better than closing. Keeping your credit card open or keeping an overdraft shows that you are able to reliably maintain a credit agreement. In a similar vein, you shouldn’t pay loans ahead of time to close them earlier. Rather than showing how good you are at paying the money back, it shows that you can’t stick to pre-planned terms of the agreement so it can actually hurt your chances of a successful application a little. Of course, too many open credit cards and loans can hurt your credit score, so you need to balance it.

Making late payments on other loans

This one is relatively simple. Make sure that you are current with all loans before you apply for new ones. Even being temporarily late on other loans can give lenders justified cause for concern. You can mitigate the damage done to your credit score, at least, by catching up with what you owe ASAP. There are plenty of payment reminder apps that you can use to make sure you know what you have to pay and when you have to pay it, which can make it easier to keep current with loans, bills, and other regular payments.

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How To Teach Your Children To Be Money-Conscious

October 28th, 2019 Posted in kids and money, learning about money, teaching children about money
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You want your children to have the best qualities of you and your partner. Something that might be important to you as money. Now money should never be the thing that controls your life, but it will certainly help define what you do in it. So with that in mind, here are a few tips to teach your children in being more money-conscious.

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Show Them How To Budget

Children are never going to learn how to handle money, and many parents won’t even teach them until they’ve started earning money themselves. It’s also not something that many of us would learn about at school, particularly as it’s not always likely to be something within the school curriculum. Leading by example is important, and so it matters that you are budgeting your household income in order to show them when they are at an age to learn. It’s never too early to teach them about money. Earning pocket money for doing errands around the home is going to help them being grateful but to also know that hard work can be rewarding. 

It might be a good idea to let them see the family finances and that way, they can have an understanding of what they may need to know about going forward. Giving them an insight into a typical budget plan can be very helpful for their own in the future.

Warn Them About Loans And Borrowing Money

When you find something that might come at the right time for you or your household when they need it. However, they need to remember and be wary of having loans and borrowing money in general. If they become too complacent with knowing that money is effectively free and available to borrow, that could be quite dangerous for those who enjoy spending their money a little too frivolously. So warn them about taking them out and that they should be used in emergency situations too. You as a parent are likely to want to know about financial situations that they’re in when they are young, so always tell them to approach you first for help. It’s better for your child to pay you back, rather than to a bank or loan shark

Encourage Them To Get A Job

When they’re of an age at which they could work, you should be encouraging them to do so. Being able to get a job will help them see and learn the value of money and what it does in their own life. Having savings is important and having a job can help them put some money into their account so that they are well provided for later on in life when they need it. It also helps them to live their lives to the fullest and to show them how money can influence the type of lifestyle that they may want in the future.

Teaching your children these important life lessons is very beneficial to give them the best start in life.

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Borrowing Without a Collateral: 8 Things to Know About Unsecured Loans

October 12th, 2018 Posted in Credit and Debt, Entrepreneurship
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Running any business has its ups and downs. You will encounter financial challenges every once in a while. Unpredictable emergencies that need to be addressed within the shortest time possible. Maybe you need to replace some equipment to allow smooth operation of the business. Or you could be having an unsettled loan that could make you lose your assets if not paid on time. What would you do? Simple, apply for unsecured loans and forget all these problems. Here’s all you need to know about these loans.

Borrowing Without a Collateral: 8 Things to Know About Unsecured Loans - loan image

  1. No Collateral Required

Unlike in secured loans where you need to pledge legal property or assets as collaterals, unsecured loans do not require any collateral. So you won’t have to worry about losing your legal property or assets should you default. So, in case you’re having a personal emergency or you need some funds to open or expand your small business, applying for this kind of loan will be much easier. Don’t allow yourself to suffer a financial hiccup just because you have no assets or property to pledge when you can apply for an unsecured loan today. You can check UnsecuredFinanceAustralia.com.au for details.

  1. Less Background Checks

In the case of secured loans, the lender must do thorough checks to determine your credibility which could even include your lifestyle audit. You will also be forced to secure the loan with a collateral, which you’ll risk losing in case you default. But with unsecured loans, your creditworthiness is all that matters to the lenders. And if it’s all good, then what are you waiting for? What if you have no credit score? Again don’t worry, unsecured loans will still be the best way to build your credit score which will increase your loan limits and loan periods. But you must ensure that you pay for the unsecured loan on time.

  1. Real-Time Loans

Perhaps the main reason that you will go for an unsecured loan is that you need some fast cash for your personal use or for the business. And if the loan is to take days for it to be processed, it would cause some inconveniences. You could lose your loyal customers or the good paying contract you might miss because you lack some equipment which is not a good thing. But this is not the case with unsecured loans. The loans are very convenient in that when you apply for the loan, it will be processed within the shortest time possible and you can comfortably sort the financial issue you were facing.

  1. Easy to Apply

Initially, you would be required to go to the lenders and fill multiple pages of papers when applying for the loan. You would then go home and wait for the lender to consider your application contact you if you’re successful. This means you’d go to the bank a couple of times and might not get the loan. But not anymore. The technology is advancing and the lenders are also going digital. A majority of the lenders nowadays have an online presence where you can apply for the loan. All you’ll need to do is to log on to their websites – which are easy to navigate – and you’ll find the online application form. You’ll then fill the form and upload your address proofs, national ID and other necessary details.

  1. Credit Is a Reusable Resource

When you apply for an unsecured business loan, you will be given a set limit by the lender and as long as you will pay for the balance, you can reuse the credit anytime you need to. Despite the fact that the lender will only give you smaller limits because of loan security as compared to secured loans, you can negotiate this limit provided you’ll be willing to meet the additional terms. One main advantage of this option is that it will eliminate the hang-ups usually experienced with cash advances and traditional loans. So you won’t have to stress yourself again about constantly re-applying for funding.

  1. Reasonable Loan Term

The length of the loan you will apply (if awarded) will be used to determine the amount you’ll be paying on a regular basis. If the loan life is longer, the repayments will be lower. Unsecured loans are known for their short-term characteristic. “Isn’t this a disadvantage?” Well, yes you may not be allowed to extend the loan duration to, say 10 years. But to your advantage, you’ll be out of the financial obligation within a very short time and relieve yourself the loan repayment pressure. But of course, this will be so only if you pay for the loan on time. Defaulting will attract more fees and this will mean you’ll have to pay way more and for a longer period also.

  1. Flexible Loans

The amount you’ll get in the case of unsecured loans is significantly less than that of secured loans. But this doesn’t mean you won’t get enough loan for your business or personal emergency. If you have a good credit score, then you will qualify for a much higher loan amount. And the more the amount you take, the lesser and more affordable are the rates charged. And this will be to your advantage, especially if you’re taking the loan to start or expand your small business. You will also appreciate the flexibility in the repayment of the loan.

  1. There are Associated Fees

The unsecured loan that you’ll be awarded will have different ranges of the fees associated with it. You should ensure that you’ve considered all the fees before deciding on the loan amount and loan term to go for. Common fees associated with the loans include early payment, withdrawal fees, servicing fee, insurance, establishment fee, and early exit fee. Establishment fee is charged to your account at the commencement of the loan when it is deposited into your account. Early repayment fee applies if you decide to pay off the loan sooner than the agreed time.

Conclusion

It is very important to understand the essential facts of unsecured loans before going for it. And lucky for you, all the information you need to know about unsecured loans have been clearly explained. And the fact that the loan does not require a collateral makes it the best option for you when you’re having a financial emergency, especially in your business learn more with HJS Recovery. While most lenders can give you the loan even for recreation purposes, do not rush to taking the loan unless you need it to save your business. Or if have a clear and effective plan on how you’re going to pay back. http://credit-n.ru/kurs-cb.html

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Is Debt Always A Bad Thing?

October 2nd, 2018 Posted in Credit and Debt
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Could debt actually improve your life? Image licensed under Creative Commons.

Is debt always a bad thing? Many of us automatically assume debt is a hugely negative state of affairs, and while it’s true that unmanageable debt is frightening, it may surprise you to learn that some debt is actually positive. Often treated as a dirty word, most of us can’t avoid having some form of debt, while some try to actively avoid it.

And yet not all debt is created equal. There are some positive forms that could help you reach your goals quickly. You just have to know how to use it. Here’s how the right kind of debt can get you ahead of the financial game…

Debt Can Help You Make Money

It may sound hard to believe, but the right kind of debt really can help you to make money. The key is not to go into debt for consumer items you couldn’t otherwise afford, like that designer bag or new iPhone. Instead, use debt as a powerful tool to help you reach your life goals. Invest in an asset – like a house or apartment or even for something like doing an MBA and you’ll be channelling money into something that will pay you back. If you’re clever about the property you buy – selecting an up and coming area, negotiating a good purchase price armed with data from sites like MousePrice– then the value will rise over time. When you’re ready to sell, you will have accumulated a profit, even with the mortgage balance to settle. If you go into debt knowing that you’ll get greater value out of it further down the line then it’s a positive investment.

It Can Be Cost Effective For Purchases

Interest rates are at historic lows right now, so if you want to do something like buying a car, it’s actually better to use credit to make the purchase than dipping into savings and investments. If you have money in tax free savings like ISAs or even stocks and bonds, it doesn’t make sense to cancel out the returns you get from them in order to make a purchase. Considering your overall financial picture, you’re better off using credit to pay – especially if you lose tax benefits by liquidating an asset.

You Can Fill In Cash Flow Gaps

For those who have a portfolio career, are self-employed or starting their own business or work in a job that is highly dependent on commission, life often involves a fluctuating income. When used responsibly, short-term loans can get you through time periods where cashflow is lean – provided you use the boom times to pay them off. This regular repayment schedule will also help to build a really good credit rating, as lenders can see a history of responsible borrowing. You will then be offered better rates, reducing the overall cost of borrowing. This creates a virtuous circle of good credit that benefits your financial situation.

Debt doesn’t have to be an intimidating or shameful prospect- if you learn to use it responsibly, it can really be a force for good in your life.

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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Teaching Your Children about Debt and Borrowing Money

December 27th, 2017 Posted in teaching children about money
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Most people don’t get into debt out of sheer stupidity. Most people get into debt because they have not been educated about money – or more specifically borrowing money. They find themselves in a situation whereby they need money quickly, and they borrow it without fully understanding what they are letting themselves into. There are then those who are enticed by all of these amazing promotional offers, and they sign up to a number of credit cards without considering how this is going to impact their rating. The obvious solution may seem simple: avoid borrowing money altogether. However, if you do this, you won’t have a credit history at all, and this is arguably just as damaging as having a bad credit report. So, we need to educate our children about borrowing money responsibly, the impact of borrowing on their credit report, and what to do if they do find themselves in debt. After all, in some cases, debt is unavoidable.

LESSON ONE: THE VARIOUS WAYS YOU CAN BORROW MONEY

Firstly, you need to make sure your children are aware of the different methods of borrowing money. In general, this can be split into two categories: loans and credit cards. Of course, there are then many different types of loans and credit cards. With regards to the former, you will be given a certain amount of money, which you will then have to pay back to the lender with interest on top. With a credit card, you will have access to a certain amount of money, and you will only be subject to interest if you do not pay the full amount off by a certain day of the month. Credit cards are ideal for those who need access to money to tick them over until they get paid. If you are self-employed, for example, and you don’t know what date of the month your money is going to come in, you can use a credit card to tide you over until then. A loan is more suitable when you are making a large purchase. There are many different types of loans, including bank loans, secured loans, and payday loans. The latter provides a fast loan approval for those in need of money as quickly as possible. However, the APR tends to be very high, so you’ll end up spending a lot of money taking the loan out. A secured loan will be secured against one of your assets, for example, your car or your home. If you default on your payments, the lender can sell your vehicle or your property to cover the payments you have missed. It is important to teach your children about the different factors they need to consider when taking out a loan or applying for a credit card. A lot of people never learn about APR, and so they end up borrowing money without having a full understanding of how much they are paying for it. This is an easy way to get into debt, and it can be avoided with simple education.

LESSON TWO: CREDIT REPORT

The next thing you need to teach your children about is their credit report. Explain that their credit report is something that a lender will view when determining whether to lend them money. This does not only relate to companies who deal with loans and credit cards, but catalogue companies, furniture stores offering financial plans to pay off furniture over the course of a few years, phone contract businesses, and such like. It is, therefore, critical to maintain a good credit score. Unfortunately, a lot of people end up causing damage to their credit report without even realising it. This is why you need to teach your children about the different aspects that do and do not impact a credit score, and the steps they can take to improve their credit score. One thing a lot of people do not realise is that they do not have one set credit score. There are a number of companies that provide credit reports, and most companies and lenders will look at one or several credit reports to gauge whether someone is credible to lend to. People can access their credit reports online, and it is a good idea to do so, so that you can have a general understanding of what your score is, where you are going wrong, and where you are going right.

So, let’s go over the different elements that make up your credit report, and the impact they have:

  • Your personal information – One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your credit score is to make sure that all of your personal information is up to date. If it isn’t, lenders may struggle to verify who you are, and this can have a negative impact on your rating. Plus, if your personal details aren’t correct, you could miss out on notifications, which could result in you failing to pay a bill, which will, of course, have a bad impact on your credit score.
  • The total balance of your active credit accounts – The total balance of your active credit accounts plays a crucial role in determining your score. If you have a mortgage, this will not be included within the calculations. This includes your credit cards, any purchases you are still paying for, overdraft facilities you are using, and any loans you have taken out. If you owe more than $15,000, this will have a negative impact on your credit score. If you owe more than $30,000, this will decrease your score even further.
  • How much of your available credit you are using – There are a number of factors to consider here. Firstly, your highest credit limit will play a role. If you have a credit card with a limit over $1,000, this will improve your credit rating, as it shows that you are a low risk borrower. However, you also need to think about how much of your available credit you are using. For example, if you are using 95 percent of the credit you have available to you, this is bound to have a negative impact on your score, as it indicates you are relying heavily on credit.
  • Payments – Are you keeping up with your payments? This is the most important factor of them all when it comes to your credit score, as a late or missed payment will stay on your account for roughly six years.
    • The age of your credit accounts – Again, there are a number of factors to take into account here. Firstly, the average age of all of your credit accounts is considered. Having an average age of 33 months or more is considered a positive. Also, the number of new credit accounts you have opened. If you have opened a number of accounts within a three-month period, for example, this will have a negative impact. However, if you have only opened one credit account, this will not have a bad impact on your score.
    • Credit applications – This is where a lot of people have a negative effect on their score without even realising. Many people decide to make numerous credit applications, and then they will accept the best credit card they get approved for. A lot of people also try their luck, applying for cards they are unlucky to get accepted for on the off chance that they will. This will have a negative impact on your score, as credit applications are included in your report. There are soft searches, which don’t impact your score, and hard searches, which do impact your score. The best thing to do is use one of the online services that are available to determine your chances of being accepted. This ensures you only apply for credit cards whereby you have a high chance of approval, so that you don’t need to carry out numerous applications.

LESSON THREE: WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET INTO DEBT

Last but not least, it is important not only to teach our children about avoiding getting into debt, but also about what to do if you do get into debt. The problem can easily get worse and worse when someone does not know how to deal with debt. It can seem like the end of the world, but it doesn’t need to be. In fact, you will find plenty of inspirational stories on the Internet about people that have gotten themselves out of severe debt.

Most people agree that the best way to tackle debt is to pay off the biggest debt first while making the minimum payments on all loans and cards to ensure you are not subject to any further fees. You should also ring up your credit card provider or any other lender you owe money to and see if you can negotiate more favourable terms. It is then a case of examining where you went wrong and how you got into debt in the first place. This will help to ensure you do not make the same mistake again.

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