Digital Women has been providing information for women on loans, grants, business funding, home business ideas, lending tips and business networking resources since 1998! Visit our loan section and our grant section for ideas on how to get money for starting your woman-owned business |
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How to Choose the Right Loan for All Your NeedsYou need money – and maybe that’s all you know for sure right now. You may need to buy a car, renovate your home, consolidate your debt, pay a business expense, or fund your tuition to an Ivy League college. It doesn’t matter what your needs are – there are certain guidelines that can help you choose the loan that’s best for you.First, never sign up with the first lender just because they were the quickest to get back to you. It’s important to shop around for the best deal. Don’t believe any lender who tells you that everyone will have the same deal – they won’t. Don’t just pay attention to the big picture – like annual percentage rates. You want to ask what your monthly payments will be – including the amount of interest you’ll be paying each month. You also want to know how much interest you’ll be paying over the length of loan in full. Before signing anything – make sure you read the small print. What happens if you miss a single payment or are a couple of days late? You may find your possessions being repossessed or a substantial late payment being tacked onto your bill if you’re not careful. Don’t take out a loan for more than you can handle. You don’t want to get in over your head and add stress to your life. Depending on what kind of loan you need, you may be able to find an online calculator that will do all of the number crunching for you. Just because someone offers you $100,000 doesn’t mean your income will allow you to make payments on such a loan. If your credit isn’t up t o par, be careful about making blind applications to dozens of lending companies. Every time you apply for a loan, it’s noted on your credit history. If you’re turned down several times, it will taint your credit and make it harder for you to get the loan that you need. Some lenders will help you determine which type of loan is best for you. You may need to disclose what the loan is for. If you take out a debt consolidation loan, then the lender will usually pay the companies you owe directly and you then sometimes have to close your accounts to ensure you don’t rack up further debt in addition to your new loan. Make sure you look at all of the pros and cons of various loan types that could work for you. You may find that a home equity loan is your best bet – or a personal loan would work better. You’re not always pigeon holed into one type of loan for your money needs. author: Kathy Torrance
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