5 Surprising Ways to Use Personal Loans to Improve Your Life

Personal loans are often associated with financial struggles, but they can actually be a powerful tool for improving your life. Contrary to popular belief, these loans aren’t just for emergencies or covering unexpected expenses. In fact, there are several surprising ways to use a personal loan to your advantage. For example, one option is to use a personal loan to pay off debt.

We’re exploring 5 innovative strategies that can transform your financial situation and help you achieve your goals.

When taking out a personal loan to pay off debt may make sense

Not all debt is bad. Some financial products like personal loans can offer financial flexibility and reduce your monthly expenses. If you have a good reason to take out a personal loan, it can help improve your financial health. Here are some scenarios where taking out personal loans to pay off debt may make sense.

1. Debt consolidation

Debt consolidation is a useful strategy that groups your smaller financial obligations into one loan. Instead of staying on top of payments for multiple accounts, you can make one monthly payment for a personal loan. 

Not only does debt consolidation simplify the payment plan, but you can also lower your monthly payment. Some borrowers use debt consolidation to get rid of their high-interest debts and replace them with low-interest personal loans.

Debt consolidation also gives you some flexibility with your monthly payment. If you want a lower monthly payment, you can opt for a personal loan with more years on it. You can look at your budget in advance, see how much you can afford, and pick a term length that aligns with your finances.

2. Lowering interest rates

You will not get the same interest rate on all of your debt. Secured loans like mortgages tend to have lower interest rates than unsecured loans like credit cards. Many borrowers can find personal loans that offer lower interest rates than their credit cards. Paying off your credit card with a personal loan’s principal can make interest payments more manageable. 

A lower interest rate can make a significant impact on your payments. It is possible to save thousands of dollars over your lifetime by securing lower interest rates on your debt. This strategy can also help you get back to making on-time payments toward your debt. Those on-time payments can increase your credit score and help you qualify for better loans in the future.

3. Balance transfer

A balance transfer lets you take the debt from a credit card and transfer it to a personal loan or another credit card. Balance transfers can save you money and reduce your financial stress. Using a balance transfer from one credit card to another card can result in a 0% APR introductory rate. That introductory rate gives you time to pay off your debt without incurring interest. You may have to pay fees to initiate a balance transfer between credit cards.

Using a personal loan to get rid of your credit card debt can help you avoid a balance transfer fee. It also lets you get out of debt with fixed monthly payments. Most credit card companies use a variable interest rate to determine your rate, which makes them less predictable. A personal loan lets you avoid variable rates.

4. Payday loan payoff

Payday loans can feature triple-digit interest rates and have excessive fees. Most people get these loans because they need money urgently and have bad credit. 

If you find a personal loan you can qualify for, it may be a good idea to get that loan and pay off your payday loan. Practically any personal loan will have a lower interest rate and better terms than a payday loan. You can save money and make debt repayment more manageable if you pay off a payday loan with the capital from a personal loan.

5. Medical or emergency expenses

Medical procedures can get expensive, but these services are often vital. Getting proper care during a medical emergency can potentially save your life. A personal loan helps consumers strike a balance. They receive the medical attention they need instead of scrambling to raise funds while enduring a medical condition. A personal loan can also offer reasonable interest rates, and you have plenty of flexibility with the repayment plan.

MoneyLion offers a service to help you find personal loan** offers based on the info you provide, you can get matched with offers for up to $50,000 from our top providers. You can compare rates, terms, and fees from different lenders and choose the best offer for you. You can also use the loan funds to pay off other existing debts. MoneyLion is here to help.

Factors to consider before taking out a personal loan to pay off debt

A personal loan can give you the capital you need to navigate financial challenges, make debt more manageable, and give you additional choices. However, some personal loans are better than others. These are some of the key factors to consider before you apply for a personal loan.

1. Interest rate

The interest rate you receive makes a big difference in how much you pay each month. Shopping around and comparing interest rates from different lenders can reduce your monthly payment. If you are consolidating debt, you should look for a personal loan that has a lower interest rate than your financial obligations. 

2. Fees and charges

While the interest rate influences your monthly payment, fees and charges also play a role in your total costs. You may have to incur administrative fees and continue to pay fees over the loan’s duration. Some lenders are more lenient with late payment fees and other costs than others. You may also have to pay a fee if you want to pay off your loan early. Borrowers should assess each lender’s fees and gauge how they impact the total cost of the loan.

3. Loan term

The loan term refers to the length of the loan. A 5-year loan has higher monthly payments than a 10-year loan if everything else is equal. However, a 5-year loan gets you out of debt sooner and results in lower interest over the life of the loan. Consumers should review their personal budgets to assess how much they can pay each month. 

4. Monthly payments

A personal loan can consolidate debt, cover large expenses, and do it all with fixed monthly payments. However, a personal loan can become troublesome if you have difficulty making monthly payments. 

Before you take out a loan, review your income and expenses to see if you can comfortably make the monthly payments. You can extend the loan’s duration, trim your other expenses, or pick up a side hustle to make the monthly payments more attainable.

5. Credit score impact

Many lenders run a hard credit check to gauge your ability to make on-time loan payments. A hard credit check could lower your credit score by a few points, and new debt can hurt your credit utilization ratio. While your credit score may take a hit in the short term, a personal loan can strengthen your credit score in the long run if you make every payment on time.

Fortify Your Finances with a Personal Loan

A personal loan can give you the extra money you need to cover a large expense or make it easier to address your other financial obligations. It’s also possible to pay less interest through debt consolidation. However, it’s important to know how much you can afford. Staying on top of your monthly payments while using the loan’s capital in a productive manner may strengthen your finances.

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FAQs

What is a personal loan and how can it help me pay off my debt?

A personal loan is a financial product that lets you borrow a lump sum of cash. You can use this capital to pay off your debt. Borrowers benefit from lower interest rates and better loan terms.

How does debt consolidation with a personal loan work?

Debt consolidation with a personal loan involves using the personal loan to pay your high-interest debt. You will then have all of your debt under one loan and at a lower interest rate.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a personal loan to pay off debt?

A personal loan can help you secure a lower interest rate and make your debt easier to manage. However, a personal loan can create challenges if the fixed monthly payments become difficult to handle.