A loan is a type of credit that is lent to a person or party, which in return, must be paid in the future. Most loans, if not all, have financial charges or interest, these can also be loaned for one-time only or be available as an open-ended line of credit up to a specific limit. Loans are good options for many opportunities that can benefit you in the near future, like using the money to set up a business, buying a property or vehicle, relocation or upgrading/repairing property or other purpose to address immediate financial need. Loans are financial resources that come with great responsibility, when your income cannot afford to pay the loan with the interest or if the expenses that you are going to make will not cover future payables, it is better to not get a loan. Make a thorough analysis about the types of loans and what are the ones that you can afford and cater to your needs the most, because at the end of the day, a loan can be used for almost anything of your choice, but no matter the circumstance, it must be paid back eventually on time.
The Good
Loans can help you pay off other high interest debts, this enables you to borrow large sums of money and the option to pay for it overtime, this is called debt consolidation. If you have multiple debts with high interest rates, a loan can help you pay off those debts into one loan with a lower interest rate, even for emergencies. It gives you the chance to spend money for your needs and necessities with the option of paying for it in the future.
Loans are also popular financing options because of the flexibility of its credit and use. You have the freedom to apply how much credit you want, as long as it is within your budget and the terms and conditions of the lender. If you are approved, you can use this for home renovations, relocation, medical, tution, and many more.
Loans can provide you fast and easy access to funds, this is very beneficial especially if you are to use the funds for emergencies. There are loans that don’t need collateral so you won’t have to risk losing other assets or properties, these can also help you improve and build good credit especially if you pay on time, but always remember that this can also apply vice versa.
The Bad
Depending on your loan offer, some lenders may give you higher interest. You may even be exposed to loan sharks. These are people that loan money at extremely high interest rates and often use threats of violence to collect debts. Those rates are always above an established legal rate since loan sharks are often not monitored by any government regulatory body.
Not being able to repay on time can also damage your credit score. If you don’t have a good credit score, applying for a loan in the future may become more difficult, and if you are approved of a loan, the lender may require you collateral and you’d have to pledge assets for this. This is most often the case for applicants who have very low credit scores.
Depending on your reason for getting a loan, this type of financing option can lead to more unnecessary debt if you aren’t responsible in budgeting your money and purchasing. So before you opt to apply for a loan, big or small, evaluate why you are borrowing and spend only what you can afford to repay in the future.
Finally, there are some shady loan companies out there, they can gouge you with origination fees as well as prepayment penalties. Because of this, it is important you do your research and find an online lender that you can trust. Our personal favorite is AND Financing Corporation, they offer many loan products at competitive and client-friendly rates.
As long as you are responsible, loans can help you improve and upgrade your financial and economic status. Understanding the good and bad regarding loans is important when you are planning to apply for one. You should always consider the benefits that outweigh the risks, since this can bring you consequences that will also burden you in the long run if you aren’t smart in budgeting and only spending within your means.
