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Why not to use a Payday Loan to pay for a Vacation
We all run into those financial emergencies at one point in our life. Some people have money saved for these occasions, others use credit cards, and others again use a payday loan to fill the financial gap for the 15 to 30 days where we need the cash. This is what a payday loan is for. Be able to make it to the next paycheck. Pay for the car repair because without a car you will be out of work soon. Situations like this are where the payday loan does its duty.
However, some payday loan lenders advertise their loans to be used for normal consumer needs. Needs? Well, not really. These lenders play with your desire for having a new TV, a new iPhone or iPod, or to go on vacation. Sure, we all like to treat us to those nice things in life, but we need to be able to pay for it and not necessarily to buy these items on credit. Especially, not to buy these items on very expensive credit.
While this article is mainly written with the payday loan situation in mind, it also applies to using a credit card to pay for these items. In both cases you put a consumer purchase onto a very expensive credit account. The initial interest fee on the credit card might be lower, but statistics show that consumers easily need 18-24 months to fully pay off their purchase. That is very expensive at 18%-27% if you ask me. A payday loan is even more expensive, but it forces the customer to re-pay the loan much faster, which is a good thing. The initial interest rate for this type of loan is higher, but the time between when the loan is taken out and when it is paid back is much shorter.
So, while these are the basics the real story is that both types of loans are not designed to be used for normal consumer purchases. We all have seen what the last recession has done to consumers who were in debt way over their head. The number of foreclosures and bankruptcy filings has sky-rocketed. While some blame goes out to the banks and mortgage companies, a lot of blame has to go to those consumers who financed non-critical purchases with very expensive loan type. Everything is good while you have a job, but when the money gets tight these loans are going to destroy your financial status.
Conclusion: Payday loans are a financial product that is designed to be used in a financial emergency. It is expensive, but payday loans are granted faster than a normal bank loan + they do not affect your normal credit history. A fast payday loan is not to be used for normal consumer purchases for gadgets, TVs, iPhones, or cars. Used with the proper understanding of how these loan work is essential to your financial well being.
What Goes into Your Credit Score?
Credit scores can be computed using different credit scoring systems but the most widely used system today is the FICO score. Its formula was created by the Fair Isaac Corporation and is the one used today by many lenders, banks, financial organizations and the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion.
The perfect FICO score is 850 and although achieving this number may seem unrealistic, getting a score ranging from 720 and above is already considered as good to excellent. However, a FICO score below 620 will put you in the category of a “high risk borrower”. Thus, it is recommended for everyone to be aware of the factors that make up their credit score.
Factors that Determine Your Credit Score Payment history. Your payment history comprises 35% of your total credit score. Here, how timely you are in submitting your payments, how long it takes you to pay your past due bills, how many times you were late or missed with your payments, and everything that has to do with your payment habits count.
Credit line usage. How you use your credit limit makes up the 30% of your credit score. The higher the usage of your credit limit, the lower your credit score is. Ideally, borrowers should not go beyond 30% of their available credit. If you own a low interest credit card, be careful not to maximize your credit line as this can damage your overall FICO score.
Length of credit history. 15% of your total FICO score is based on how long you have had credit. A longer record of credit history is of course more impressive especially if it shows timely payments all throughout. Be careful about closing your oldest accounts. Dont close your oldest credit cards just because they have high rates. The trick is to use them only for small purchases and pay off your balance in full always to avoid the interest rate.
New credit. Opening too many different accounts at once or in short period can pull down your credit score. Why is this? This gives a negative impression to lenders on why you need to apply for too many credit in that short span of time. Having too many inquiries made by the lenders whom you submit application to will also affect your credit score. If you are in the habit of sending credit card applications just to get the free shirt or the free cap upon signing up, stop now. Youre doing damage to your credit and thats not worth the freebie youre getting. Remember, new credit makes up 10% of your total credit score.
Types of credit used. The types of credit found in your credit report make up the other last 10% of your score. Having a variation of accounts in your credit report is definitely a good thing. For instance, aside from credit card accounts, having a mortgage, an auto loan and other credit in your account shows your capability in how you handle your obligations as a borrower.