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Working Out The Total Cost Of A Loan
When you are looking for a loan, you need to compare loans by working out the total cost of repaying the loan. Although many web sites allow you to compare the APR costs, working out the real total cost of a loan is a little more complicated. However, it is important that you do this so that you can budget accurately and also so that you can find the best deal for your needs.
Estimating the total cost
The quickest and easiest way to estimate the total cost is to multiply the total amount borrowed by the APR, and then multiply this by the number of years. For example, if you borrow £10,000 and the APR is 10% for 5 years, then 10000 times 0.10 times 5 equals £5000. This is the interest you will pay, so add this to the total amount borrowed and then you know to borrow £10,000 for 5 years at 10% costs you £15,000 in total. Of course, this is only an estimate and will be higher than the actual amount as interest payments are reduced as you pay off the amount.
Other costs
There are obviously other costs to add to this total amount, such as loan processing fees, payment protection insurance and any other fees you need to buy to set up the loan. Add these to the total cost mentioned before and you have the total that you need to pay back over the loan term.
TAR
If you are discussing the total cost of the loan with your lender, then ask them to give you the TAR. This stands for Total Amount Repayable, and will let you know the total you have to pay back during the loan term. The difference between the amount borrowed and the TAR will tell you how much the loan is costing. A smaller difference between these two numbers means a better deal for you.
APR
As well as knowing the TAR, you should work out how much you need to repay each month. To do this, divide the TAR by the total loan term in months. For example, if you were paying back £14,400 over 12 years, then you will pay back about £100 a month (14,400 divided by 144 months). Of course, this is also an estimate as the TAR amount you have calculated is an estimate. To get the exact amount, ask the lender.
Adding penalty costs
When working out the total cost of a loan, you should budget into the equation some penalty fees. Although you might never pay any of these fees, to allow for a few late payments will help you to be prepared in case. It may also help you to decide between two similar loans, depending on the amount they charge for penalties and late fees.
If you are unsure, seek advice
If you are looking for a loan and are still unsure how much you will need to pay back over the whole term, then consult an independent financial advisor, who can help you work out how much you are paying for each loan, and which is the best deal.
How To Add An Additional Card Holder
If you have someone special in your life, then it might be time to add an additional cardholder to your account. Whether this is a wife or husband, or even a child, adding an additional cardholder can be advantageous for a number of reasons. If you are unsure about how to add an additional cardholder to your credit card account, then here are some tips to get you started.
How to add an additional cardholder
Adding an additional cardholder is generally very easy to do, and usually involves calling up your card issuer to arrange it. All you have to do is give the details of the person that you would like to add to the account and then this will be arranged for you.
Who can I add?
In theory you can add anyone you want as an additional cardholder to your account. However, the most common people to add to your account are partners, spouses or children. You might want to add a partner or spouse if you are beginning to share your accounts with each other and pool your assets. Also, you might want to add a child to your account so that you can keep track of their spending whilst giving them some financial freedom.
Advantages of adding cardholders
The advantages of adding a cardholder are that you can reduce the number of accounts that you and the additional cardholder have, making payments easier. Also, it can help you to budget more effectively as a household if you all use the same accounts. Also, you can use the same pool of money but have separate cards, giving you the freedom to spend on your own whilst someone else does the same. It also allows you to keep track of both your spending and the spending of others, meaning you can make savings more effectively.
Disadvantages
Although there are some advantages, there can also be problems. If you add someone as an additional cardholder, then you are responsible for the balance that they accrue each month. The balance is part of your statement, so you are the one who will be liable. This might lead to problems if your child spends irresponsibly or if you are having relationship problems.
Cancelling an additional cardholder
If you have become separated or divorced from your partner or your children have moved away, then it is important to cancel any additional cards to stop them being used. To many people get landed with large bills after divorce because they forgot to cancel the extra card and their partner charged everything to their account. As long as you keep track of additional cards and cancel them when necessary, then you can reduce the amount of cards that you are your partner require whilst still having the freedom to spend.