When Is Getting a Loan a Good Idea

As with most things in life, there are two strongly opposing views amongst the general public when it comes to taking out loans. Some say you should stay away from debt whenever possible, while others claim you can easily harness and transform it into tangible benefits. The truth, as is usually the case, is somewhere in between – loans are a financial tool and they need to be used properly in order to be effective. You should consider getting a loan when you want to:

Consolidate credit card debt

If you’re currently using multiple credit cards and you’re close to hitting your limit, it might be wise to consider getting a personal loan which will enable you to bundle all your existing debt into one regular monthly payment. If you have a sound credit rating, you could even qualify for a substantially more affordable interest rate on your personal loan than you would be getting on your credit cards.

Refinance existing loans

This is something that might prove to be a bit tricky for some people, so it shouldn’t be taken lightly. However, if you can find a loan which offers a lower interest rate than your existing one, you could benefit from replacing the existing obligation with a cheaper one. Just make sure you don’t get caught up in chronic refinancing, since this could lead to your becoming overly reliant on debt and might result in imprudent financial decisions. Also, be careful around adjustable rates.

Finance a critical purchase

When you really need to make an essential purchase but lack the funds to do so at the moment, getting a short-term loan which you can promptly pay back becomes a viable option. If you plan on borrowing to buy an item at a significant discount, make sure the discount amount exceeds the total interest you’ll be paying back on your loan. Also, please keep in mind that this solution should be only used in critical situations – the last thing you want to do is start binge borrowing on a daily basis.

Make an emergency payment

Should you happen to get stuck in a serious predicament such as a medical emergency, or in a similar situation which requires you to promptly pay up a significant sum without the possibility of delaying the payment or stretching it out through monthly instalments, getting a loan could help you solve the problem.

Boost your credit rating

If you have a stable income, but haven’t previously borrowed any money in the past, you will likely be at a disadvantage when you actually apply for a loan. To improve your credit rating, you can leverage smaller personal loans which you can easily repay and thus demonstrate your reliability as a borrower. The interest rate you’ll pay back almost pales in comparison with the advantage you’ll get in terms of quickly improving your credit rating.