03/01/2013
Personal loans are easy to get, but come at a high cost
"You should not go for it until and unless you really need the money and no other type of loan is available. Such loans are very expensive and can increase your liability manifold," advises VN Kulkarni, chief counsellor with the Bank of India-backed Abhay Credit Counselling Centre.
Only for emergencies
You don't have to provide collateral or find guarantors, you need not specify the purpose and the approval process is hassle-free. But, this convenience comes at a high cost.
On personal loans, interest rates could in the range of 15-25%, while they could be as high as 30-49% in case of credit cards. Financial advisors cite many instances where credit card holders have been shocked to know much later that they have been paying interest of close to 40% on their credit card outstanding. That is why it is essential that you should avail of such loans only in times of crises.
"For instance, arranging funds for paying hospital bills at a short notice. Or, in case of a one-off event or need like wedding or education expenses," says Satish Mehta, founder and director with credit counselling firm Credexpert. However, you should opt for such unsecured loans only after exhausting all other options.
Do not borrow to consume
"You should not use personal loans to buy a new product. 'I really need to pay this back' will be the constant nagging thought in your mind, given the high interest rates," says Mehta.
What is the point of buying an expensive gadget or music collection if you can't enjoy them without worrying? With credit cards, it could be a slightly different case as you will need the cards to use them at shopping malls, restaurants or online ticketing and shopping portals.
"Treat them merely as spending tools. Buy consumer goods using credit cards only if you have funds available in your bank account to pay off the credit card bills within the no-interest period," says Omkar
Since lenders do not insist on security before granting such credit facilities, some people tend to think they have nothing to lose even if they default on these loans. The attitude, however, can cause huge collateral damage.
Banks and other lending institutions report your repayment track record to credit information companies like CIBIL, Experian and Equifax. The credit bureaus, in turn, maintain the records and also share it amongst member lending institutions.
So, any defaults or missed EMI today could come to haunt you a few years later when you desperately need a home or education loan.