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Steps To Follow Before Taking Out A Loan In Ireland
  • admin
  • April 17, 2025

Steps To Follow Before Taking Out A Loan In Ireland

While feeling a pinch, you might feel desperate to have an immediate injection of cash, particularly when the nature of the expense is urgent. Payday loans could come in handy to fund small unforeseen expenses, but they are exorbitant. The risk of falling into an abyss of debt is quite high. The repayment term of these loans is not more than a two-week period. Many borrowers find it impossible to discharge the debt in one swoop. As a result, interest keeps accruing, snowballing the size of the debt.

If you are looking to get immediate loans in Ireland, you should always avoid payday loans and consider other alternatives. They are much more affordable. Almost all small emergency loans are quickly approved. Lenders use advanced algorithms to shortlist applications. The approval criteria do not involve hassle because bad credit borrowers are also welcome. However, convenient loans are subject to high risks because of high interest rates.

Many borrowers earlier raised affordability complaints. Chances are your lender lends you more than your repaying capacity. So, caution is enjoined.

Important considerations while borrowing money

Do not throw caution to the wind just because you need an immediate supply of cash. Here are a few things you should do while borrowing money:

1.  Do research

When you are in urgent need of money, you might be tempted to choose the first lender you come across. There are various online lenders providing emergency loans. It is always suggested that you carefully research the market. Each lender charges different interest rates, and they have their own criteria for calculating the risk.

High interest rates will be charged when they find that the risk involved is too high. Along with interest rates, fees also determine the cost of a loan. Some lenders may charge higher fees compared to others. With research, you would be able to choose a lender that lends money at lower interest rates.

One of the greatest benefits of research is that you would reduce the risk of being repudiated on the grounds of low credit scores. While lenders accept applications from bad credit borrowers, they have the bare minimum credit rating.

If your score is lower than that, your application will be straightaway rejected. Research could help you choose a lender that accepts the credit score you have.

2.  Evaluate the cost

As you know, each lender charges different interest rates, so it makes sense to compare the total cost before formally applying for a loan. The cost of the loan is determined by the annual percentage rates, so make sure your decision is based on it. Most borrowers compare the cost based on interest rates, but do not forget that you are to pay fees and additional charges.

There is no doubt that you cannot determine the actual cost of the loan beforehand. Actual rates are generally decided after the perusal of your credit report and income sources, but you can come to know estimated rates. Lenders usually reveal representative examples on their websites. There are various comparison websites that let you know the estimated interest rates you will likely be proposing. However, most of the sites only reveal interest rates, not annual percentage rates. So, actual rates will certainly be higher.

You can also contact a lender to inquire about interest rates and fees. If you need a large amount of money to be paid down in fixed instalments over a period of three to six months, you would always consider obtaining prequalifying letters. Though you would not be able to know actual rates, estimation would help you choose the most affordable loan.

3.  Determine your repaying capacity

You should carefully determine your repaying capacity. In case you have failed to discharge your dues, you will end up rolling it over. Interest will keep accruing, and late payment fees will be charged, accumulating the size of the debt. As the debt amount grows, it will become even more challenging to repay it. Bear in mind whenever you apply for easy funding loans, the amount will be quite small. On no account will it be beyond €1,000. In case of a poor credit rating, lenders find you a risky borrower, and they will restrict the amount up to €500.

As you will be required to pay off the debt in fell one swoop, you might struggle to clear the debt once and for all. There is a high probability that you will fall behind on payments. Once you make a default, you will not only lose your credit score but also damage your chances of applying for a loan at a lower interest rate down the line.

Therefore, when borrowing money, it is recommended that you carefully consider your repaying capacity. Use online loan calculators to determine the cost of the loan. By knowing the estimated cost, you can see if your budget has wiggle room to clear the debt without compromising on your repaying capacity. Bear in mind that the actual cost would be higher than the estimated cost.

4.  Consider other alternatives

Loans should be a last resort when you need money. First off, you should ensure that the reason you need money is urgent. No financial expert recommends that you borrow money if the nature of the expense is not essential. However, despite essential expenses, you should consider loans as a last resort.

When you are in a tight spot, first, you should turn to your family or friends. If you need a paltry sum, your family or friends will not be reluctant to give you a helping hand. However, they would expect you to repay the debt on time. The good thing about borrowing from them is that you do not have to pay interest. So, you can save a lot of money. However, it is always suggested that you pay some extra money on top of what you borrow.

Do you have a credit card? If so, they could come in handy to meet your needs. A credit card will let you withdraw as and when you need and you will have a grace period to settle the bill. You will end up paying interest only when you are past the interest-free period.

Credit unions are also lending firms, but they charge much lower interest rates than online lenders. Qualifying for a loan from a credit union could be slightly challenging because of tough eligibility criteria. Direct lenders are more flexible when it comes to accepting applications from poor credit borrowers.

The final word

Loans are convenient, but they are not meant to be taken out to meet discretionary expenses or when you are not certain about your repaying capacity. They should always be considered a last resort. Try approaching your friends and family and using interest-free credit cards. A golden rule of thumb says that you should carefully check your repaying capacity. If you are not certain about it, avoid borrowing money.

At the same time, you should do proper research. Because each lender charges different interest rates, you should compare them so you choose the best interest rates. It is crucial to evaluate the cost of the debt so you do not borrow more than you can afford.

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