A personal loan usually consists of about 1,000-10,000 dollars and is usually unsecured, which means collateral is not required to cover the loan, unlike those you receive for your house or car. Personal loans feature a set amount you can borrow, a fixed interest rate, and a specific term of repayment. You will have to undergo a credit history check along with income verification to determine if the amount you have chosen to ask can be made available to you.
1. Fixed Interest<.b>
If you are making a large purchase that will need some time to pay off, a personal loan will enable you to do this without being hit with exorbitant interest fees. Using a credit card may cause you to lose the introductory interest rate after the allotted period expires and the higher rate will then apply. With a personal loan you will have a fixed rate for the duration of the borrowing period. Your interest rate is less likely to change based on the economy or your payment history.
2. Lower Interest
Personal loans can have a lower interest rate when compared to credit cards. This can help on a large purchase item that you will be taking time to pay off rather than only covering the high credit card premium. Shopping for a specific personal loan may be helpful when considering the interest.
3. It May Stop You from Spending
When you obtain a personal loan you are agreeing to borrow a fixed amount of money and paying it off. You are not increasing your credit each time a payment deducts your premium and amount spent. A personal loan will not allow you to keep using it such as a credit card would therefore it will force you to borrow the money and pay it off without getting into an unnecessary spending cycle.
4. Poor Credit May Not Hinder Your Personal Loan
Even though you may have a poor credit rating, other factors are taken into consideration when applying for a personal loan. These include how you have handled your money, including whether or not you have any bounced checks or a consistent savings account. A personal loan could very well be granted if these other financial indicators show positive movement. Your history may raise the personal loan interest rate some but it could be easier than obtaining a credit card.
5. One Lump Sum
You can withdraw a lump sum from your credit card through an ATM cash advance. However, this will come with a higher interest rate than you are already paying on your card. When you are approved for a personal loan you instantly receive a check for the entire amount at the fixed interest rate you agreed to. Therefore, if you are making a large purchase, all the money will be available without any penalties or unnecessary fees.
Personal loans should be considered with a responsible and practical approach. Even though you may really want that pool table or speed boat, re-thinking the entire spectrum of how it will affect your finances is essential. If you do not feel you are getting in over your head, then go for it.
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