Loans are financial products that serve a good purpose. They enable you to solve money issues, reach goals, and manage your finances. Lenders can lend you different amounts, which you can use for whatever you want – as long as you settle your obligations on time.
If you have a mortgage, credit cards, and a personal loan on your back, you are in a lot of debt. It also means that you set aside a lot of money for interest every month, which can be thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars over the loan lifetime. Plus, juggling multiple installments can stress you out.
The good news is that there’s a way to betale ned lån (pay off loans) and relieve yourself financially. But you will have to make some concessions and changes that may affect your lifestyle a bit. That is necessary for some higher financial good and will not last forever. So, here is what you can do to get rid of loan debt faster.
Make Extra Repayments
The installments on the loans are the minimum payment towards the loan. It means you can pay more than that and thus take a significant step towards earlier loan repayment. Even a minimal increase in installments of just a few tens of dollars can bring savings.
For example, one way is to round the amount you pay to the nearest fifty. So, for example, instead of $330, you can pay $350 every month. Rounding to the nearest one hundred would have an even bigger impact. Those extra few tens of dollars will certainly not make a drastic gap in your budget but can save you a lot.
Another method is to convert monthly payments into bi-weekly payments. That will take a little more effort and organization, but when you do the math, you will pay one extra installment per year. In the case of long-term loans, this can shorten the repayment term by up to several years. That means lower interest costs and savings of several thousand dollars for sure.
Another option is to make an extra payment every year in the amount of a monthly installment. Or you can divide that amount by 12 and increase the monthly payments towards the loan by that much. Or simply set a figure yourself (for example, $200) that you will add to your installments monthly. In any case, each of these tactics can shorten your repayment period.
Shave Away Unnecessary Expenses
Cutting off unnecessary costs is always a good thing. Of course, you should occasionally treat yourself, but you can surely find something to cut corners on. Of course, the concept of savings differs from person to person, so this advice should be taken with a grain of salt.
For example, consider whether you need a cable with so many channels. Try to use public transport more and the car less. Go to restaurants once instead of twice a week. And Netflix can be a worthy substitute for cinemas. If you want more significant savings, consider getting a roommate or moving back into your parents’ house until you get back on your feet financially.
Whether you are a newly graduated student or a full-time employee, everyone can find a way to cut costs and make savings. Everything you save should go toward repaying the loan. If you devote some time to it, you will not even be aware of how much you can speed up repayment and get rid of debt.
Increase Your Income
The more money you put towards the loan, the sooner you achieve your goal. Early repayment brings certain benefits, which you can find out about at this link. To make that happen, you need to make some extra efforts, such as finding an additional source of income.
There are different ways to pump your monthly budget up. For a start, you can ask your superiors for a raise if you have valid reasons for it. Then, you can look for a side gig that won’t take up too much of your time. Also, you can turn a hobby of yours, such as jewelry making or baking, into an additional source of income.
If you’ve made some smart moves in the past or just have luck, you can have some temporary cash inflows that can boost your budget. It can be profit from investments, inheritance, settlement from court proceedings, or tax returns – all of it or at least a part of it should go towards debt repayment. Maybe you would enjoy travel or a new smartphone more, but this financial responsibility will bring more benefits in the long run.
Think of Refinancing
Refinancing refers to replacing one loan with another, which generally carries more favorable lending terms, such as lower interest rates or shorter repayment terms. The latter is a good option when you want to consolidate the debt and pay it off as soon as possible and with as little hassle as possible.
Compared to the period when you took out the initial loans, interest rates may drop, so you have the chance to take out a favorable personal loan. Add up all your debts, and you will calculate how much you need to borrow if you plan to refinance. In agreement with the lender, estimate the repayment time so that the monthly installment fits your financial capability. In the best case, it will be shorter than all previous loans.
Things to Know Before Paying Off Loan
By early debt settling, you can solve many financial struggles and improve your credit rating. However, do not think that all lenders will look favorably at it. By giving you a loan, they earn from fees and interest from monthly installments. If you cut the number of those installments, you also reduce their profits.
To somehow compensate for this, and at the same time give you the chance to repay the loan earlier, lenders charge prepayment penalties. This amount may vary depending on how much you borrowed and the time of repayment, but it is generally not negligible. So, the profitability of early loan closing should be well-thought if the prepayment fee is too high.
Also, if you decide to refinance, think of closing costs. They usually amount from two to six percent of the new loan. They should also be compared with the savings you can achieve by refinancing. By calculating the break-even point, you will know if the refi is really worth it.
On the following source, find out how to find out whether refinancing pays off:
If you plan on making extra repayments towards a loan, ask if the lender allows that and under what conditions (do they charge extra fees). This extra money should go toward lowering the principal. So do not fall into the trap of making additional payments that only go to interest because then you achieve nothing.
The thing is simple – paying off your loans ahead of time brings numerous benefits. If you have some extra money or a chance to earn it, you should definitely make additional payments toward this debt. By doing that, you will pay less interest, get rid of debt chains much faster, and probably improve your credit score, which eventually opens up new opportunities for you.