Borrowing money is never a bad idea, as long as you are doing it responsibly. There are various reasons why people are forced to apply for loans.
However, the most important thing is to ensure you understand the right way to borrow money. Do not just borrow to go to a party or please a friend. Financial experts recommend borrowing to be limited to emergencies only.
Below are a few tips on how to borrow money the right way:
- Shop for around for different lenders
There are several companies that claim to offer loans. As such, it might be difficult to distinguish those who are genuine from those that are not.
For precautionary purposes, it would be good to go through a list of lenders to determine their credibility.
Checking several lenders will also help you know how much interest rates each one of them is offering as well as their terms and conditions.
Try to compare loan companies by reading their reviews and actually talking to them. You can find more info than you think about different companies by simply submitting an inquiry and asking as many questions as you can think of. Comparing different lenders will help you to choose a lender that suits your financial needs.
- Borrow what you need
Financial discipline demands that you live within or below your means. It is unfortunate that some people will apply for a loan to purchase or do things that are not necessary to them.
Before you decide to take an unsecured personal loan, ensure that you have calculated the amount that you require to fulfill your financial obligations.
Do not fall into the temptation of borrowing more than what you need – because most lenders will try to persuade you into borrowing more.
- Ability to repay on time
By the time you start applying for that loan, you should already have a plan in place on how to repay the loan on time. That’s why it is important to first inquire from the lender the period they want their loan repaid.
Failure to repay the borrowed money on time will negatively affect your credit score. If your loan was secured, then the lender will recover the balance by disposing of the asset you deposited as collateral.
- Have a good credit score
Most financial companies prefer lending to borrowers who have a good credit history. To be on the safe side, ensure that you obtain your credit report early before you start applying for the loan. A good credit score will also guarantee you a lower interest rate.
Nonetheless, don’t despair in case you already have a bad credit report. There are companies that specialize in lending to people who have bad credit.
- Renegotiate the repayment period if you are unable to pay on time
If you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to repay the loan as agreed, the best option is to renegotiate the terms of the loan with your employer.
You however need to approach your lender days or weeks before your loan’s expiry date – to avoid being penalized.
In a nutshell, borrowing is not a bad idea as long as you are borrowing for the right reasons. Besides that, you should also have a proper plan in place before you start applying for the loan.
