5 questions to ask yourself before borrowing money

Like any financial decision, borrowing money requires careful thought and consideration.

Whether it’s for a one-off purchase like a wedding or new car, or a bigger spending commitment like a home renovation, it’s important people fully consider the ins and outs of what they need, as well as what credit option could suit their needs the best.

Here, five questions you should ask yourself before you borrow money.

1. What do you need the money for?Before you borrow money, make sure you ask yourself exactly what you need the money for. Having a clear idea of how the money will be spent can help you to manage it responsibly.Carefully consider how the money you borrow will be used in its entirety, including exactly how much you’ll need to borrow to achieve your goals. This will allow you to work with your bank or lender to decide which type of loan or credit will be most suitable.The purpose may be taken into consideration when you’re applying for the loan, so make sure you can show you’ve put some thought into it before applying.
2. How much will it cost?APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. Being aware of this is one of the most important things to consider before borrowing money.In a nutshell, the ‘APR’ is the cost of borrowing money. This is the amount of interest added to the total amount you owe each year (including any other associated fees). It’s worked out on a yearly basis but is paid each month as part of your regular repayments.One thing to bear in mind, some lenders display their Representative APR in their advertising as the content of the advert may trigger a regulatory requirement to include it. This is the APR that is offered to at least 51% of their successful applicants. The other potential 49% could end up getting a different rate. Whilst a helpful comparison tool, you should never rely on them as an accurate way of understanding how much you will end up paying.It’s useful to keep this in mind if you’re applying for a loan as you’ll only be provided with your actual (personalised) APR once you’ve applied for the loan and a ‘hard’ credit search has been carried out. A hard search will leave a footprint on your credit file that is visible to other lenders. A hard search can have an effect on your credit score and can actually harm it if multiple hard searches are undertaken within a short space of time.we’ve chosen to do things differently. What you see is what you get. It’s important to us that you have all the information you need when you’re thinking of applying for a loan and that you don’t just make your decision to apply based on an advertised headline rate that you may not be offered. When you come to us for a personal loan, we use a ‘soft’ credit search (which doesn’t impact your credit file) and if we think we can lend to you, we will give you a quote for your guaranteed personalised rate right from the start. This means you’ll have a clearer idea of how much the loan will cost you before you decide to apply. 
   
3. Can you afford it?If you choose to take out a personal loan, you’ll be required to pay back the money in monthly instalments, so you will need to ensure you can afford to pay these. As part of the application process, a lender will assess how affordable the loan is based on your current income and financial circumstances. They will only lend to you if they think you can afford the loan but it’s also important that you take into consideration not just your current financial situation, but what the outlook is for the longer-term until the repayments are finished.Having a monthly budget so you don’t go off track may help you. And, if you can, try and have some savings outside of your repayments as a buffer in case you have a sudden change financially that is out of your control, as this could affect your ability to make your repayments.
   
4. How should I borrow money and how much do I need?Borrowing money can come in all different shapes and sizes. Deciding how to borrow will largely depend on how much you need and how you want to pay it back.Personal loans are generally more suited to borrowing larger sums that you pay off over a longer period of time. You should always choose the option best suited to your situation, and only borrow the amount you need.Ensure you do your research and find a lender that will be most suited for you and your needs. It’s important to make sure you find the right deal for your circumstances before you take out any kind of credit.If you’re unsure on the best option for you, speak to your bank or a financial advisor. They’ll be able to guide you on the different products and associated fees to help you decide what’s best for your needs and financial situation. There are also lots of free online guides, tools and services available that can help you understand your options too, like Money Helper.
   
5. What is your credit score? 
   Before applying for a loan, it’s a good idea to check your credit score. A credit score reflects how you’ve managed credit in the past and is taken into consideration when a lender is assessing your application.You might consider trying to improve your score before you apply. There are quick and simple ways that may help you to boost your credit score, like registering on the electoral role, checking for any mistakes on your credit report, or cutting any financial associations with ex partners.