If you thought there is nothing complicated about borrowing money, think again. In fact, there is a smart way you can approach this fairly common process. Because even though everyone is aware of how loans work and they are approved on a daily basis, there is always the risk of falling into bad debt. But you can avoid this trap by paying attention to the following money borrowing tips.
What Does Your Credit Look Like?
The state of your credit is very important when you borrow money. Why? Because it can heavily influence your loan possibilities. For example, a good credit score will help to get approval quicker. It can also determine whether you get approved at all. It’s also interesting to note how healthy credit increases the amount of money you can ultimately borrow. It can even go as far as to outline the length of time you get to repay the loan.
Establish a Loan Amount
When you are lucky enough to qualify for a relatively hefty sum, it might be lucrative to just take the maximum and run with it. But always keep in mind what the monthly payments are going to look like, as well as the number of months you’ll have to face them. Take a look at Lending Bee one of the top 10 personal loan money lenders in Singapore to see how much you could borrow.
Explore Your Options
Are you the type of person that likes to look around for bargains? Because not every bank or loan institution will charge the same rates, just like the retail stores in your area will vary in product costs. In fact, they might even share different levels of requirements. The point is that different banks will offer different payment and rate options. And if you put in the effort, you can walk away with a good deal.
Understand the Loan Agreement
It is critical that you understand everything about the loan agreement before putting your name on it. For example, what happens if you lose your job? Does the loan agreement include insurance for this situation? Everything from the possible increase in rates to the number of months you need to make payments, make sure you understand everything.
The Agreement Should be Appropriately Documented
Even when you borrow money from a friend or family member, which is a good way to avoid those dreaded interest rates, it is recommended to document the transaction. Establish some ground rules to prevent problems from surfacing and possibly damaging the relationship. As for working with a professional loan service, it goes without saying that everything needs to be written down and signed for. A simple form can be created here http://www.singaporelawdocs.com/iou-form/ ensuring that your loan terms are agreed and both parties protected.
Consider Saving Up a Down Payment
If you want to make things easier on yourself, consider saving up for a down payment. This is typically used when purchasing a home or a car, and it means you put down a certain percentage of the price. For instance, paying 20% of what the car costs will reduce the monthly instalments you have to pay.
Have a Repayment Plan in Place
It can’t be stressed enough that a personal repayment plan should be in place. If you are not totally sure that you can afford to make payments, it is best to find an alternative solution. However, if you have a plan and you stick to it, you will increase the credibility of your credit score.
Just because we all can’t be wizards with numbers, it doesn’t mean you can make smart financial decisions, especially when it comes to borrowing money.
This is a collaborative post.