There is no doubt in the fact that managing your finances can be a tricky act, and one misstep can stress you out. Among these responsibilities, perhaps one of the most understood and mishandled aspects is Equated Monthly Installments (EMI).
So, whether you’re financing a car, buying a new flat/home, or simply using a credit card, EMIs are a common method of dividing your loan payments over time. However, navigating the world of EMIs isn’t as straightforward as it may seem.
What is an EMI?
An equated monthly installment (EMI) is a fixed payment amount made by a potential borrower to a lender at a fixed date every month. Equated monthly installments are applied to both interest and principal every single month so that over a particular number of years, the loan is paid off entirely.
In the most common loan types, such as real estate, car, or even education, the borrower tends to make fixed periodic payments to the lender over several years to retire the loan. When it comes to a personal loan, it’s always beneficial to use a personal loan EMI calculator for better financial planning.
What are some of the common EMI mistakes to avoid?
In order to maintain good financial health and ensure that you can comfortably repay the loan amount, here are the top five mistakes to avoid:
-
Borrowing more than you can actually afford
One of the biggest mistakes of potential borrowers is that they sometimes tend to borrow an amount that exceeds the repayment capacity. Before availing such a loan, it’s essential to assess your income, expenses, and other financial commitments. Ensure that the EMI comfortably fits within your budget without compromising your basic needs.
-
Ignoring the Rate of Interest
Failing to understand or negotiate the rate of interest can be quite costly. Therefore, always compare loan offers from multiple lenders and choose the one with the lowest interest rate. A slightly lower rate can significantly reduce the total cost of the loan over time.
(Note: Personal loan in EMI is quite a useful financial instrument these days.)
-
Ignoring Fine Print
Don’t sign the agreement without reading and understanding all the terms and conditions. Pay attention to details like prepayment penalties, processing fees, and late payment charges. These can add up and surprise you later, which might burn up a hole in your pocket.
-
Missing EMI Payment
Timely payments are essential to maintaining a good credit score and avoiding unnecessary penalties. Set up reminders or automatic payments to ensure you never miss a due date. Always keep in mind that a single missed payment can have a negative impact on your credit history.
-
Prepayment options
Ignoring such options is another mistake by the borrowers. There are some loans out there that offer an option to make prepayments or repay the loan amount before the tenure ends. If you have extra funds, consider this option, as it’ll help you reduce your overall burden.
Conclusion
If you plan to avail any kind of loan, be ready to pay EMIs each month and always keep in mind the above-mentioned points. By simply avoiding these common EMI mistakes can save you time, money, and frustration in your electronic design projects.
