What Are Some Good Uses For a Personal Loan?

Written By Mary Beth Eastman
Last updated November 22, 2019

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Loans
June 25, 2019

Simple. Thrifty. Living.

Online personal loans are more prevalent than ever before. But just because you have access to take out a personal loan online doesn’t mean you should. If you’re on the fence about taking out a personal loan or wondering whether your intention for getting one is a good idea, it’s crucial to know when it’s worthwhile. Here are some effective tips to help you make this important financial decision:

Loans can be a lifesaver when you’re short on cash. But if you won’t have the ability to pay your personal loan back, then it won’t be worth the trouble. That’s why it’s critical to assess your needs and determine your ability to pay before deciding on taking out a personal loan. Also, it’s a good idea to compare the terms and interest rates of the online personal loans you’re considering to get the best deal. We’ve reviewed the best online loans so you have the information you need to make a decision.

You can use an online personal loan for almost any legal reason. Here are some cases when it’s a good idea to get one:

  • Consolidating your high-interest credit cards. Instead of paying various high-interest rates across several maxed-out or near-the-limit credit cards, consider using a personal loan to consolidate your credit card debt. You’ll pay one convenient monthly payment by consolidating your cards and may lower your overall interest rate significantly.
  • Fix up your home. Instead of tacking on debt to your credit card, you can get a personal loan online to help improve your home. Improving your property may help increase the value of your home over time and potentially increase your return on the investment.
  • Buy a car. Using a personal loan to buy a car is often ideal when you need to get a car to travel to work. Online personal loans can be better alternatives to financing a vehicle purchase since you can often get lower interest rates and save money.

It’s typically not a good idea to use a personal loan for everyday expenses or extravagant events, such as medical expenses and over-the-top vacations or weddings. You have to pay back your personal loan and financing everyday expenses gets expensive quickly. Thus, it’s important to avoid using a personal loan for non-essential events or daily spending, so you don’t get further into debt.

Taking out an online personal loan is a personal choice. But every loan has an interest rate that can make it worthwhile — or not — depending on your specific situation. So, it’s important to know when it’s a good idea to take out a personal loan. By evaluating your intentions, ability to pay your loan and the terms of the loan, you can make a better decision to determine if taking out an online personal loan is right for you.

About the Author

Mary Beth Eastman

Mary Beth Eastman serves as the content manager for Simple. Thrifty. Living, where she is dedicated to helping readers use money and credit wisely. Mary Beth believes that access to the right financial information paired with a growth mindset are essential tools for getting out of debt and building wealth. Mary Beth has a degree in Journalism from Bowling Green State University and has focused her 20-year journalism career on putting readers front and center, carefully considering their concerns and presenting information that will help them in their everyday lives. She has won numerous statewide journalism awards. Her writing on personal finance as been featured on numerous websites in addition to Simple. Thrifty. Living, including Huffington Post and Lexington Law blog. Mary Beth resides in Pittsburgh, Pa., with her family and two rescue dogs.

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