Taking Out a Loan? Here’s How Much a Personal Loan Will Cost You

January 28, 2021
taking out loan

So, you are planning to take out a loan. Whether you will use it for emergency or other reasons, do you know how much a loan will cost you? Let’s say, you get a personal loan. How much will you repay until you’re debt-free? 

First, what is a personal loan? A personal loan is money borrowed from a lender that can be paid back either in a lump sum or instalment. It is an unsecured loan that means you don’t need a collateral to get one. This type of loan allows the borrower to use credit for any reason. Usually, borrowers take out a personal loan for emergency expenses or to manage their cash flow. 

Compared to a credit card, a personal loan is usually more affordable to repay, and most of the time, you can borrow a larger amount of money. 

The Interest Rates

Every personal loan comes with an interest rate. The interest is the cost of “loaning.” It is calculated as the percentage of a loan that is regularly paid to the lender. The interest rate is a principal used to ensure that lending costs are always covered. 

Several factors influence the interest rates, such as the loan amount and the amount of time it takes to repay the loan. So, when you take out a personal loan, your lender will also show you how much interest you will pay. 

Keep in mind that if you fall behind on the repayment, the interest rate will still continue or even increase, depending on how long it takes you to repay the debt fully. 

The Annual Percentage Rate

For personal loans, it can either be short-term, which is usually only up to 45 days or over a period of months. Either way, your interest rate will determine how long it will take you to repay the loan fully. Now, if you fail to repay the loan in the same year you took it out, an annual percentage rate will apply to cover the yearly cost of funds for issuing the loan in the first place. Be careful because this can be high as they are designed to help lenders reclaim their expenses when you fail to repay within the year. 

The Fees

There are a number of fees that may add up to the overall cost of the loan you need to repay. Some of these fees are the initiation fee, which is typically applied to new customers, a deposit, or early repayment fees wherein you will be charged for changing your original repayment date. It’s important you’re well aware of these fees when you are applying for a personal loan. 

Conclusion

Knowing how much a personal loan will cost you is very important before you apply for one. It’s essential you get the best rates and low-interest rates to help you repay the debt as easily as possible. With that, it’s essential you shop around for the best deals; don’t settle for the first thing you see online. 

Get fast, easy online loans in South Africa here at Hoopla Loans. We make the process so much easier for you. Apply now!