Taking out a loan can be a great option when you need a certain amount of money at that very moment. Purchasing a car, a house, or attending college are just a few examples of why loans are so essential in everyday life. No matter what your reason for taking out a loan was, you’re now in debt.
Unfortunately, along with loans come interest. The interest you must pay on your loan can place you in even more debt if you don’t pay off your loan quickly. With the right tips and tricks, however, you can pay back a loan fast and avoid paying high-interest rates.
Listed in the guide below, are a few different loan payment tips you need to know about. Continue reading to discover how you can start planning your debt repayment today!
1. Put Together a Budget
When you have bills to pay, including your loan, you need to put a budget together. A budget will help you manage your finances and ensure you’re spending money where you need to. First, you’ll need to break down your monthly income and monthly expenses.
There are apps and websites you can use to help you break down all these numbers and see your budget more clearly. Once you’re able to see just how much money you have to spend after paying bills, you can then decide where you want to cut back on spending. Any money you have from cutting back should be placed towards your loan payments.
2. Pay More Than What’s Owed
Having a small monthly loan payment, such as $40 dollars or so is great, but you should pay more on the loan than what’s owed each month. If you’re only paying what’s due each month, then you’re allowing the interest to build. If you can put down more money than what’s owed, you’ll work towards paying the loan off faster and the interest won’t be as high.
Think about how much your monthly payment is and then consider doubling it. If you’re able to afford double the payments, then do so. If not, then refer back to your budget and see how much more you can afford to put towards the payment each month.
3. Refinance Your Loan
If you’re currently working and have a stable income and a good credit score, then you should visit your bank and ask about refinancing your loan. You can also check with online lenders about refinancing as well. Take your time until you find a lender that’ll offer you the lowest interest rate.
Refinancing will lower your payments and your interest rate, but you should still continue to make the same payments you were before. This will help you pay off the loan quickly.
4. Inquire About Autopay
Some lenders have autopay options. It’s crucial you look into all the terms and conditions before signing up for autopay, but once you do so, you could end up saving on your loan. With autopay, your loan payments will be taken out automatically on the same date each month.
If desired, you can still make manual payments ahead of time, but be sure you do so with enough days to spare so you’re not paying manually and an automatic payment still comes out.
5. Split Your Monthly Payment
If you’re having trouble paying your loan payments or paying more on them than what’s due, then consider splitting your monthly payment in two. Rather than paying one full price on the due date, pay half of it before it’s due and the other half when it’s due. If you can start doing this, you’ll soon find yourself in a routine of doing so.
If you’re paid bi-weekly, then take out half the amount due out of each check you receive for the month. This can make it a bit easier for you and will stop you from spending money on unnecessary items.
6. Don’t Put Yourself in More Debt
The last thing you want to do is place yourself in more debt while trying to pay off your current debt. If you’re having a hard time paying off your current loans, don’t take out more loans, and don’t continue to use your credit cards. This will only land you in more debt.
Instead, start finding ways to either cut back or bring in more money. If you have multiple loans or credit cards, then you should make a list of priorities. Which loans have the highest interest rates and should be paid off first? Those are the ones you want to make bigger payments on.
7. Put Extra Money Towards the Loan
Any extra money you make or come across should be put towards your loan. It’s good to have some money in savings in case there’s an emergency, but you don’t want to take your work bonus and spend it on a new outfit when you’re trying to pay off a loan fast and avoid high-interest rates.
Even small amounts of extra money can go a long way. Did you win $20 on a scratch-off ticket? Great! Put that $20 towards your loan.
8. Go Paperless for Discounts
Some lenders will also offer you the option to go paperless. Going paperless means you won’t receive paper bills in the mail. Instead, you’ll receive text messages, emails, or notifications on an app to remind you it’s time to pay your loan.
If you decide to go paperless, there could be some discounts involved as well, so it’s worth looking into. This is a great option for those who pay bills online and never pay attention to the paper bills anyway.
Are You Ready to Pay Back a Loan?
Do you have a loan or two with high-interest rates that you want to pay off fast? Use the tips and tricks listed in this guide above to pay back a loan quickly and with ease! Remember all loans and interest rates are different, so be sure to know what you’re up against, create your budget, and tackle that debt!
For other finance topics, be sure to visit on a regular basis.
