In personal finance, we always talk about what not to do when it comes to borrowing money – don’t use credit cards, pay cash, etc. However, borrowing money is a smart move for your finances if you do it correctly and responsibly. Even payday loans can be a useful tool when used properly and with caution. You will need a solid credit history if you ever want to get a home loan to buy a home, and not using credit at all will not help with this. Here is how you can borrow money responsibly.

Only Borrow What You Need

The first key to responsible borrowing is only borrowing what you need and what you can actually afford. Too many people get into trouble because they borrow more than they need, and it usually is to get something more frivolous or expensive.

For example, if you need a car and must get a car loan, stick to getting a cheap used car instead of a brand new luxury car. This will help you manage your money better, and will still look fine on your credit.

Pay It Off On Time

Payment history is a huge part of your credit score, which is how you are rated on credit responsibility. The higher the credit score you have, the more responsible of a borrower you are considered.

Payment history is a huge part of your credit score because it shows how reliable you are. So, if you borrow money, make sure that you make your monthly payments every month on time. No exceptions and no settling for late fees. Just because you pay you fee, you’re still late, and it will negatively impact you.

Also, you always need to pay off your loans. You borrowed it, you have to pay it back.

Use With Caution

Finally, there are a few things you should be very careful about using. The first is payday loans. These loans have high interest rates and bad fee structures. They can get you into a lot of trouble if you aren’t careful but can be a quick way to get out of a tight spot if you understand how they work and use them as a last resort. Make sure you know all the terms and pay them off as quickly as possible.

 

Jesse Michelsen

Jesse Michelsen