Everywhere you look, you see stories about the bailouts. It seems bankers, insurance companies and auto manufacturers can't survive unless the government gives them tax payers' money. This is one of those chicken-and-egg moments.
If large companies go bust, that throws a lot of people out of work. The unemployed stop buying "stuff" at their local stores so the stores don't need as much "stuff" to sell. The people who supply and make the "stuff" don't have enough business so they go bust. And so on.
So when your own budget is tight and hard choices have to be made, should you get a loan to cover an outstanding mortgage instalment? It's a real temptation, right? There you are, hunkered down behind the sofa, hoping no-one will notice you. Except you know that's not how the world works. These big companies have computers that spit out warning letters and threats. So, suddenly, a loan looks like a good option.
Stop and think about this. There are payday loans available without any real formalities. So long as you still have a job and a bank account, you will almost certainly get up to $1,500 in a lump sum from some of the lenders. That sounds good, doesn't it? Having that extra cash would solve a lot of your current problems, wouldn't it? Except it has to be paid back at the end of the month to avoid the interest payments going through the roof. Every cent you borrow over your lifetime has to be paid back plus interest. The advantage of the mortgage is the interest rate is low. Interest on a payday loan can be several hundred percent! Do the math. Low interest rate on mortgage vs. high interest rate on loan. Which is the better loan? The answer is obvious. So pick up the phone and start negotiating with the mortgage holder as soon as you see there are problems. Don't wait until you are in arrears. Deal with the problem immediately. Speak to them and write letters confirming your financial position. Ask for the terms to be renegotiated. Don't use a high interest loan to pay off a low interest debt!
0 comments:
Post a Comment