"Credit" - more recently, the word become a part of our everyday life. It is constantly heard on television, we see it on advertising banners, leaflets read on your mailbox. Almost every day we get a varied and, at first glance, it is very tempting offers via e-mail and SMS messages.
"Take today, pay tomorrow" - that's the basic idea of lending. And, you see, it sounds very tempting. Do not deny yourself all over and hard to save for your favorite thing. All dreams come true today, right now. So whether to take a loan? Maybe a loan - it is the simplest and easiest way to happiness?
What is the loan
Once called the credit to others, it is a little half-forgotten word - usury. Occupation is considered inappropriate and strongly condemned by the Church and society.
Today everything has changed. The word "credit" has no negative connotation. It has become a familiar and commonplace. Many countries live in "duty" - to say nothing about the people! However, the essence of the loan since has not changed.
Credit - this is when you, on request, but under certain conditions, give someone else's money. In exchange for this service you are returning more than taking. And even if you do not take the money and goods, the meaning does not change.
What are credits and how they differ from each other? Available in a variety of credits a great many - are not targeted and targeted, short-term and long-term, secured and unsecured - to understand all this is quite difficult. Perhaps it makes sense to focus on a few of the most common.
Perhaps the most popular type of loan. Its main difference from the others is that the bank will not control your spending. You will be able to spend the money as you please - buy some thing or spend them on treatment, to go to rest or start a repair. The amount of these loans as they mature quite small. For their production requires a minimum set of documents.
Another common type is the auto loan. Here you get your hands is not the money, and the "iron horse." The car serves as collateral. Only fully paid off with the bank you get your hands on a technical passport and will become full owner of the car.
Mortgage - a loan to buy real estate. As a real estate can act apartment, house or land. This is probably one of the most long-term types of lending. Guarantee your payments on the loan becomes the very property that you are buying. If, for whatever reason, to pay the loan, you can not, the bank simply will select it from you and sell returned their money.
Credit card account to fund your bank. This way you can pay for a purchase, not having enough money. However, interest payments on credit cards are quite high. And if you do not fill up by the time, subsequent severe penalties.
This is very popular abroad, type of lending has only just started to appear on the Russian market. Typically, the money comes directly at the expense of your school each semester. The main feature of student loan that you can get a reprieve on payment of the principal amount. That is, until you learn you will pay only the interest on the loan.
The main advantages of the loan
Of course, the main advantage is the ability to get a loan right thing immediately. In addition, the loan provides the ability to break big, "very heavy" amount into smaller, that will not burdensome.
Another advantage of the loan is a fixed amount of payment. In some situations, these "pros" may be decisive?
When a loan is justified
Perhaps there is no person in the world who would be able to live life, never took to borrow money. Or, at least, of such people is very small. After all, the situation may be very different and sometimes credit is really justified.
This is a situation where urgent payments are dependent on the life, health or the future of you and your loved ones. Suppose you lost your job, but this time someone needed emergency surgery. Or just time to treat teeth. Will you walk with pulpitis to paycheck?
This category also includes the payment of tuition fees. Agree, not very wise to throw the Institute in the fourth year.
Good bargain
What a bargain? This is an opportunity to purchase the desired at a price far below market value.
Let's say you are going to buy an apartment. You have found the average cost and have already collected a large part of the sum. And then you find out that someone you know is selling an apartment is much cheaper, because the money is needed urgently. Such investment would be justified.
Another example. How long have you planned a major purchase. Suddenly it turns out that in two months the price of this commodity will rise by a third. In such a case, it can not wait and purchase the desired right.
Investments
Credit can be justified when it is possible to make money, borrowed, to work for themselves. For example, a young family plans to buy an apartment. But housing prices are constantly rising and the desired goal is not near. There may come to the aid of a mortgage loan. The family buys an apartment and immediately leases it for rent. The money received from the rental, go to the payment of the loan.
Thus, a few years later it turns out that the apartment actually got them for free.
A similar situation may occur with student loans. Let's say you've been working in some company. You value and respect the authorities, but to receive a welcome boost you can not - there is no corresponding diploma. In this case, the loan will help you make a career and move to a new professional level.
Cons loans
Of course, the biggest drawback of loans is that for the desired product or service you are paying much more than their actual value. But beyond that there are other moments.
Credit gives a person a false sense of financial independence and prosperity. After all, you instantly and effortlessly get the thing is, strictly speaking, can not afford.
At the same time, as a rule, you have and additional expenditure. This is especially true of consumer loans.
Having bought a mink coat, you'll have to buy her new boots and a bag. For a diamond ring you need a new dress.
Is it worth it to take a loan on a car, if you suspect that even the cost of gasoline can penetrate a significant dent in your budget? Then any small scratch or damage will certainly cause a deep depression.
When it is not necessary to take the credit
Specialists companies, a market research banking services, conducted an interesting survey. It was attended by people who use credit. Some of them were very happy with the opportunities afforded them the system. Others - unhappy and "cornered."
Based on the responses, the company's specialists have identified a few highlights, indicating that the risk of falling into "debt slavery" is too large.
Life is unpredictable. At any moment can happen any surprises. And not always pleasant - a person can get into an accident, losing a job, just sick. Therefore, assuming certain liabilities on the loan, it is imperative to have some "safety cushion". It is believed that the "thickness" of the pillow should be about 3 to 5 months' salary.
Most people have a source of income - either wages or income from your own business. However, today the situation is not only in the country but also around the world is very unstable - "jumping" exchange rates, rising prices, reduced demand for some products.
If, due to some circumstances, people will lose the only income, it will automatically fall into the "debt trap." After all, in case of delay, it needs to be done not only mortgage payments but also to pay fines.
The presence of other debt
Recently, there are more people who are unable to cope with the current payments on the loan, are trying to solve this problem by taking a new one. Thus man drives himself into a financial trap. And she, eventually, inevitably leads to serious psychological problems, depression and sometimes suicide.
Not long ago, practicing psychologists have added to various forms of psychological dependency another - kreditomaniyu. Despite the fact that this term is not yet considered to be a scientific problem exists.
Experts even drew a picture of your potential kreditomana. This is - an incurable optimist, easily amenable to others' influence. Quite often, these people are still financially illiterate.
To take or not to take the credit?
Before making a final decision, financiers and psychologists recommend a good calculate everything and answer the following questions:
- Should I take a loan in one or the other thing? Is it necessary? Maybe there are other ways to solve the problem risen in front of you?
- Are you convinced that your income will allow you to safely and regularly all payments on the loan?
- Do you remember that in the end you will pay more?
Although, of course, the final choice is yours. After all, you - adult, reasonable and responsible person.
