Here’s Why You Should Consider A Personal Loan

Published on January 20, 2020February 12, 2021

There are a lot of reasons to consider a personal loan for commercial or personal purposes. A lot of people have an affinity for personal loans over conventional alternatives because of the ease in its application and flexibility in its repayment terms.

Also, personal loans tend to have longer repayment terms. The repayment period can usually last up to five to six years, but of course, that depends on certain factors like how responsible you are with the repayments. Here are some reasons you need to consider as to why you should opt for a personal loan.

Debt consolidation

One of the most common reasons why people opt for personal loans is their usability for consolidating debts.

Let’s say that you have different loans, credit card debt that has different balances and due dates.

That would be a hard thing to deal with, but when you opt for a personal loan, the balances you have will be combined into one monthly payment. This will be easier to maintain since you won’t be worried about the timeframe for each balance.

Not to mention the interest. Personal loans tend to have lower interest than other loans and credit cards. Because of this, you’re going to have a lower interest in your overall debt and longer time for repayment.

High borrowing limit

Personal loans that have a higher borrowing limit than credit card lines most of the time. Of course, the borrowing limit for the applicable person will depend on the terms of the lender. Most of them, however, tend to have a limit of $25,000 to $30,00 depending on different factors.

Improving your credit score

If your credit report mostly shows debt, opting for a personal loan might help the ‘account mix’ of your credit report. Your credit score will benefit from the account mix. Also, it may lower down your credit utilization ratio.

If you don’t know what a credit utilization ratio is, it is the credit amount that you have utilized compared to your credit limit. If your credit utilization ratio is lower than your credit limit, your credit score will improve.

With personal loans, your credit limit will increase, making your utilized credit lower than your credit limit. Because of this, your credit score will improve. If you do better with your personal loan, it will further enhance your credit score too. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone.

No need for collateral

Probably the best benefit of personal loans is that it requires no guarantee or collateral. Of course, the consequences of defaulting on a loan will be hard, but you’re not going to worry about the loss of a house, a vehicle, or anything of value.

An alternative for payday loans

Sure, payday loans are easy to apply for, not to mention its fast as you can get the money within the day of your application. But, more often than not, it can be a considerable risk, especially if you aren’t able to pay for it in time. Some payday lenders often have hidden fees and sometimes can jack up their interest as high as 400%.

Personal loans, on the other hand, are more secure and straightforward. Take CreditNinja and other personal loan lenders for example. The application is fast, reliable, and straightforward. You will also get your money the day you made your application. If you are worried about your poor credit, don’t worry as they would still let you get a loan under certain conditions.

Emergency funding

Funeral expenses are one of the things you should consider when applying for a personal loan. Funeral and burial expenses are rather expensive. They include expenditures such as burial, casket, funeral services, etc.

But, funeral expenses are just one of the things that you can consider an emergency. Other emergencies, such as medical bills, can also be included. Emergency funding needs an immediate response, and having a kind of loan that you can access anytime and has a fast service is a big help.

Lenders offer a fast service as you can get your money within the day of your application. Some lenders can fund you after two business days. After incurring the costs, you can begin to shop for lenders with immediate service to avoid having additional interest charges and also not to miss any due dates.

Low interest rate and other fees

Depending on the lender, the amount of money you have to cash out over the life of a loan can vary. But, personal loans’ interest rate and other fees are comparatively lower than that of credit cards.

For interest rates, they typically have an interest rate of 5-36%. That of course, depends on how excellent your credit score and the lender. In simpler terms, you will have a high chance of having a much lower interest rate the better your credit score and credit report. Keep this in mind, however, that the longer your repayment duration you choose, the higher the interest rate will be.

For origination fees, there are lenders that charge you for the processing. This will be 6% of your loan amount at maximum. Some lenders also charge you with prepayment penalties. This is when you pay your loan ahead of time. This is to take back the money that they would have earned if you follow the schedule.

Takeaway

Personal loans are versatile as they can be used for different purposes, both for financial or personal reasons. From wanting to settle your debt quickly to having a one-time big purchase, personal loans are your go-to kind of loan. They are comfortable, fast, and secure. Not to mention, they can help you if you have a poor credit score.

While personal loans can be considered a lifeline when you are in dire need of money and wanting to better your credit score, there are still some you should consider before going ahead and applying for one. Always check the terms and conditions before applying and make sure that applying for a personal loan is the best decision you can do. After all is well and done, make sure to always pay it back on time to avoid unnecessary repercussions.

In Australia, Consumers are Standing up to Big Banks

Published on August 29, 2019

Economy/Finance

After years of stability, some turbulence prompted Australians to switch credit card providers en-masse. Here is why:

The saying “needs must when the devil drives” has been thoroughly tested in other banking sectors around the world, but in Australia, where the recession has been absent for more than a decade, people were always very loyal to their banks and hardly ever switched. This all changed during the recent property crash when big banks started to recall loans from clients they knew for years – and when the RBA lowered interest rates, but many card providers did not reflect this amply in the way they charge the consumer.

The consumer was eventually left with no other choice but to switch

Today, credit card comparison websites are popping up across Australia – and a more open market finally means that consumers have more choice to escape the debt trap laid by some of their card providers. People have realized that the banks are looking after themselves first and now consumers are mirroring that approach as we discuss below:

A man on a mission to educate and inspire change

Meet Roland Bleyer – the CEO of Australia’s leading credit card comparison website Creditcard.com.au. He is the man behind thousands of people who abandon the big banks for alternative options, all to get a better deal: more favorable terms and lower interest rates. When asked how he went about inspiring such a cultural shift in a country that is rather conventional with issues such as personal finance, Bleyer said: “We did this by equipping the public with powerful information in a series of courses they access on our site – and by connecting them to better options from alternative providers in a few simple clicks. By leveraging AI and technology to pair match the right people with the right providers, we save time for both parties, delivering a win-win outcome”.

Bleyer explained the magnitude of the credit card phenomenon in Australia, where people are totally in love with credit: “We might be a nation with a fantastic GDP per capita, yet Australian consumers racked up $50 Billion in credit card debt. If it was zero interest, fine, but it’s not: a massive $5.3 Billion was paid in credit card interest last year. Furthermore, it costed $1.5 Billion in credit card fees In Foreign fees alone. This comes to over $1 million dollars a day. When you think about these facts and the reality that Australians present a lower risk to banks than people in other struggling economies or heavily populated high-unemployment regions, well then Australians are not getting a good deal! So they have no choice but to compare the leading credit card deals to fight the banks – and get the deal they deserve”.

The rise of alternative credit card options

Whereas previously, the privilege to issue credit cards was severely limited to a handful of banks, today Bleyer’s comparison site features a string of providers such as NAB, Me, Virgin Money, Latitude, ANZ, American Express, Bank of Melbourne, BankSA, Citi, Wespac, HSBC, BankFirst, BOQ, BCU, Bank of US, Bank of Sydney and Bank West.

Evaluating a plethora of options in seconds

It would, however, have been impossible for the average working person to find the time to compare all these banks individually and make a decision. This is where comparison websites come in: At the click of a button, they aggregate the various options available. Consumers can then see a side-by-side comparison of what might be best suited for their individual circumstances. Some have lower interest rates; others have better perks while you spend (including air miles and zero fees on international transactions) and so forth. So, depending on what you need most, the aggregator provides an option to screen all the options – and to apply immediately to the most suitable ones.

It is, in fact, a genius invention as it is helping both banks and consumers find each other in a market that suddenly became more crowded. When education aggregators started in the US and UK, universities were critical: today they are all on board because they are losing enrolments. So is it also with the banks – now the biggest banks are after Bleyer in order to get a piece of the action.

Balance transfers are often the biggest attraction

Some 450 000 new credit cards were issued in Australia in the last year with the ASIC debt clock showing astronomical statistics. With 83% of young people using credit cards to support their lifestyle, many sit with debt on which they need to pay interest. So, in order to clear the debt easier, without interest or with very low interest, many opt for a “balance transfer”. This is simply when you apply for a new credit card from a new provider, use it to settle the balance on the old credit card and switch providers. Often these balances come with zero-interest for up to 24 months, either enabling consumers to “breathe”, or to set the debt without paying much interest.

Final scoop on credit card comparison in Australia?

The Australian credit card market will never be the same again: The consumer is awakening to a new set of rules that enable them to take back power from the big banks – the power to decide for themselves where the best deal exist at any point in time. Many consumers are now switching every two years, so this certainly represents a new trend to watch closely.

Creditworthiness: What’s In It for Borrowers?

Published on August 20, 2019

Finance

You probably have read or heard about the term “creditworthiness” many times when researching a loan or credit cards. It’s not surprising as it has a very important part of every loan application there is.

The term is pretty self-explanatory as it’s basically a term describing how worthy the borrower is off the loan as well as his or her likelihood to default on the obligation.

How Do Lenders and Creditors Get Your Information

You need to render some personal information first to qualify for a loan. This should include necessary details like your name, contact information, and address. The lender or creditor like CreditNinja Financing might also ask finance-related questions to you to better gauge your eligibility, such as your employment status and income.

After submitting your application, they will run a hard credit check that will affect both your credit report and score.

For instance, a lender might check how much debt you currently have and what your income to help them ascertain your capacity to repay the loan that you’re applying for.

What is a Credit Score?

It consists of a three-digit number ranging from 300 to 850. A high score means your creditworthiness is good. It also implies that you manage and pay your debt and obligations on time.

The biggest factor that affects it is how often you settle your bills on time. Delayed payments and other financial misconducts lessen it. As a consequence, it will be difficult for you to get approvals on loan and credit card applications.

Besides financial and debt management, the amount of debt you’re carrying is also a big factor. For example, having a high balance can make it hard for you to get loan approvals.

That being said, pay down your loan balances and keep your balances below 30% of the limit. Also, lessen your applications for a new card and only apply for new items if necessary.

What Your Credit Report Contains

It houses important personal details about you that lenders check when evaluating your creditworthiness. Apart from basic information, you’re probably wondering what else is written on the report and how you can check it out yourself.

In case you don’t know, you’re entitled to one credit report every year. The three major bureaus namely; Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, will allow you to check your report through visiting their websites.

Know it that this report doesn’t include your credit score. But you can check it separately and for free through financial sites that provide credit score checking services. Another way to check your score is by taking a look at your current loan statements.

Below are the pieces of information that you can find in your credit report.

Personal details such as your name, birth date, address, social security number, and phone number.
New and old accounts information, including payment history, account balances, account types, creditors’ names, and available
Public records like bankruptcies, foreclosures, liens, and civil suits.
Inquiries from companies from companies that checked credit report.
Debt collections

At this point, you’re now aware that lenders who run a hard credit check on your report can see just about everything related to your finances. All of these metrics come together so they can gauge how risky you are as a borrower.

Creditworthiness Varies

It’s important to know that it also varies depending on the type of loan you want to apply for.

For example, payday loan lenders have more lenient standards and requirements than mortgage loan lenders. The reason is that mortgage loans pose higher risks for the lenders because they involve bigger money with nothing to back them up in case the borrower defaults the loan. Good thing you can secure a loan with collateral which helps minimize the risk so you can qualify.

On the other hand, applying for a credit card is easier and have a higher approval rate, even if you have a shoddy credit history or a low score. However, when such is the case, the loan comes with a higher interest rate.

How to Improve Your Creditworthiness

To stay on top of your creditworthiness, it’s important that you monitor your score regularly. You can do so by using credit checking platforms online. These platforms will grant you access to your score and give tips on improving it.

Now, if you’re having a hard time getting approved for loans, you need to polish it. Prove to the lenders that you’ll not default on debt obligations.

Get a Credit Card

You need to build credit if in order to build your score. It doesn’t necessarily mean your card should carry to improve your score. It means you need to make purchases that you can afford to pay once your billing cycle ends.

Paying your bills in full every month will showcase your capacity to repay a debt on time, which is crucial in establishing good credit. If you can’t acquire a regular credit card, you can get a secured version from a lending institution or a bank. They can also give you a card limit that’s equivalent to the money you deposited into an account.

Be Responsible with Using Your Credit Card

Don’t max out your card and always pay your bills on time. Remember that having a high balance on your card can harm your score even if you’re paying it every month. It’s ideal to keep your monthly expenses within or less than 30% of your credit limit.

In case you exceed your limit, settle the balance right away. It must be done before your statement closing date to minimize the balance that’s going to be reported to the credit bureaus.

Apply for a Loan

Credit comes in two types: revolving and installment credit. If you want to get the best possible score, you need to build your creditworthiness with both.

Know that a credit card falls under the revolving credit type. Thus, if you don’t already have installment loans such as mortgage, car, or student loan, consider applying for a small personal loan that you can easily pay.

Stay on Top of Your Credit Report

To make sure that you don’t have any negative marks on your reports, you must regularly monitor it. If you find inconsistencies, errors, or unauthorized accounts or reports on your report, dispute them right away.

Takeaway

If you feel like there’s still room for improvement for your credit history and score, there are steps you can do to fortify them as well as your overall creditworthiness. Just put in mind that it is a loose term whose definition can vary depending on what kind of loan you’re seeking and on the lender.

While it’s difficult to determine what do lenders care about the most in your credit report and how strict they can get in terms of requirements, knowing what information they use to gauge your eligibility is the first step in increasing your likelihood in securing a loan and in improving your financial health.

Top 5 Money Management Tips for College Students

Published on July 30, 2019

Finance

The poor college student: It’s a cliche in part because it’s so often true. The plight of most college students is that they go to school full time and usually only work part time. That means that they don’t have a lot of extra money to spend on much of anything. If you’re reading this, then it’s likely that you’re in this boat. Here are five ways you can make your money stretch further while you’re going to school.

1.Start by Making a Budget

For many new college students, going to university is the first time that they’ve been asked to make a budget. In terms of keeping control of your finances, U.S. News and World Report puts learning to budget first on its list of college finance “must dos.”

A good college budget not only shows you how much money you have coming in from jobs, parents, and financial aid, but it also shows you how much you have going out. If you have more going out than coming in, then you will have a shortfall.

Here are a few things that should go on your budget:

Rent
Textbooks and supplies
Food (if you’re not on a meal plan)
Laundry (soap, coins for the machines, etc.)
Transportation
Personal care items

2.Shop Wisely for Textbooks

With college books costing you as much as $1,300 a year, your school books represent a major portion of your college budget.

The problem stems from the fact that the textbook publisher sets the price for the books and your professors order the books. However, the person ordering the books – that’s the professor – isn’t the person who has to pay for the books, so the price of your books affect your professors very little.

However, the price of your books affect you a great deal. That’s when it pays to know how to buy textbooks on the cheap.

First, try not to buy textbooks brand new. You’ll save a lot more money if you get used textbooks. You may save even more money if you rent some of your books or get them in Kindle format.

Also, be aware that your campus bookstore may not be the best place to buy books from a price standpoint. There are other booksellers, like Booksrun that buy and sell school books online. Check out options like these when cash is short.

3.Separate What you Want From What You Need

You might feel like you need coffee to get yourself going in the morning, but do you need a Starbucks coffee everyday? Do you need to eat lunch at the deli around the corner? Probably not.

According to Nerd Wallet, splurges, like your daily coffee start to add up to the tune of a $1,000 or more a year. That’s where knowing what you want versus knowing what you need to get by is so important.

If you’re not sure about which expense is which, then keep a money journal for four to six weeks. Record everything you spend money on. After a while, patterns will emerge. You will begin to see where you’re spending money. You may actually be surprised at how many splurges you find on your money journal pages.

Speaking of splurges, you should also be mindful of how you use your credit cards if you have them. Don’t wait until the bill comes to start keeping track of your credit card purchases. Put those in your money diary as well. Credit cards make it easier to spend money mindlessly. You don’t see the money you’re spending leaving your hands, so it’s like it doesn’t exist until the bill comes in.

4.Work on Your College Breaks

Money that you earn and save on a job is less money that you have to borrow in student loans. It may be that you already work throughout the year. If so, keep that job during winter and summer breaks.

If you have a work study job, then find a job once school’s out. Put as much in savings as you can. It’ll be a cushion for you in the coming year.

5.Get Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants save you a bundle of money because the more of them you get, the fewer student loans you have to take out. Having student loans to pay back means that some of your future earnings won’t be yours.

Right now, the average student loan debt is almost $30,000. Since student loans cannot be discharged via bankruptcy, you’ll be paying back everything that you’ve borrowed until it’s paid off. In light of that, borrow wisely.

Final Thoughts

Although you may not have much money when you’re in college, these years also represent a great opportunity for you. Not only will you be getting an education, which could help you secure a job later, if you play your cards right, you’re also learning about how to handle money.

Few experiences in your life will teach you as much about money as learning how to handle your money wisely while you are in college. During these years, you’ll really learn how to keep track of your money, how to cut costs, and how to make the money that you do earn count.

How to Hire the Best Estate Sale Company?

Published on June 11, 2019

Business

It can be a frustrating thing when you’re asked from your realtor to have the house empty the by the 1st. As the summer has arrived, the estate market has undergone their busiest period ever, as realtors and homeowners being under a lot of pressure to empty estates.

With such a difficult, and very stressful, task ahead we’re pleased to tell you that you can hire an estate sale company that will manage all of your belongings and sell them. But how do you choose the best one? Stick around as we’re going to explain that in this article.

Don’t Throw Anything Away

Many families think that the best course of action to take before they interview an estate sale company is to throw the simple things away. This could not be a bigger mistake as most people aren’t interested in furniture or china, but rather in the small, collectible, things. Those little vintage items that have been in your possession for god knows how long are the things that bring in the dollars at an estate sale. And you should not throw them because these companies can get the most out of those things.

Do Some Research

Once you’ve removed all the things you want to keep, it’s time to hire an estate sale company that will liquidate the rest of your belongings. The best course of action here would be to do your research on the best ones in your area. A great place to start is to ask for a recommendation from your real estate agent, as they tend to know all of the people in the business. According to Attics to Basements, an estate sale company, a quick Google search will reveal all the estate sale companies in your area. But don’t settle for the first one. Always go for the one that has a nice website that looks professional with listed services, photos, and staff. Another excellent tip is to look at customer satisfaction and ratings from previous estate sales, to get a better understanding of how good the company is.

Interview

Once you’ve found your first candidate, it’s time to do an interview face to face. While most people would do it over the phone, we believe that it’s best done if you meet the company officials in person. Make them come over for consultation on-site because it is the best way for the estate sale company to assess potential liabilities that the property may have. They can take a look at the parking situation, the items for sale, and more.

Ask Some Key Questions

When you do your interview with the estate sale company, it’s crucial that you ask the right questions. Ask about their insurance policy, their staffing, what kind of contact is their staff on, and the type of contract they are willing to give you. Other questions such as the pricing should also be on your mind as you would want to know how much they will charge for the estate sale.

Types of Payment

When on the subject of pricing, the best estate sale company will accept credit cards as this is the best indicator of professional conduct. Checks or cash leaves too much room for error, and according to the laws of the United States, all estate sales company should be collecting sales tax.

How to Choose the Best Merchant Service Provider

Published on May 6, 2019

Economy

Merchant service is crucial for any business. This is because it ensures that one can’t only pay employees with ease, but also guarantees that utilities will be paid promptly. Apart from these, a critical advantage of a merchant solution is that it makes it easy for customers who are paying for the goods or services you offer. Technological advancement has created a huge room for competition. To match consumers’ expectations, you must also be apt with the quick technological changes. Gone are the days where businesses would only allow cash payments. If you’re wondering what a merchant service is, in simple terms, it’s a payment system that allows for electronic payments.

Some of the most common merchant services include credit cards and debit cards. A merchant service provider will, therefore, ensure that you receive your payment when a consumer pays using their debit or credit cards. You’ve probably been approached by many merchant service-providing companies with different deals that may sound too good to be true. You need to exercise a bit of care when choosing a merchant service provider because scammers might approach you.

This article will guide you in choosing the best merchant service to suit your online payment solutions.

Starting a business comes with numerous risks. As an entrepreneur, one must always be ready for the risks that come with opening up a business. This guidelines, however, will enable you to get a risk-free payment solution. Here’s a list:

Find a merchant provider with a good track record

Before settling on a merchant provider, it’s important to conduct thorough investigations. You might want to check if there have been complaints about the services offered. If there have been numerous complaints, then it would be risky to let them handle your payment solutions.

Check how long they have been in business

Is the business well-established? Experience is essential. The more the years they have been in business, the more trustworthy the company is. This, however, doesn’t mean the new companies won’t offer better services.

Check their customer service hours

The company should be able to offer a 24-hour service. This will give the consumers the needed satisfaction. You should definitely consider companies that provide a toll-free customer service number.

Check their service rates

Assessing the rates each service provider offers will also prevent you from getting duped. Go for a company that has affordable rates. Be cautious of providers that have very low rates. Chances are the rates will go too high in the future.

Compare the different services offered by different companies

After investigating, you must have come up with a list of companies that caught your eye. Now, you have to compare them against each other to come up with the best service providers. Find a company with an A+ customer rating.

Finally, to recommend a service provider, Powercash 21 is offering innovative and safe merchant solutions. Check them out.