How Can You Reduce Your Total Loan Cost? 5 Real Strategies For Save Big.

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Fed up with those sky-high interest rates on your loans? Ready to cut costs and save some cash? You’re in the right place. This article has real tips to reduce your overall loan expenses. Whether you’re thinking about refinancing, consolidating debt, or talking with your lender, we’ve got you covered. So, kick back, chill, and discover how can you reduce your total loan cost to save more money for your Money Saving Challenge.

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Interesting Facts💡

✨ According to Forbes Advisor’s 2023 survey on debt consolidation trends, 54% of people used personal loans to simplify and reduce monthly payments, 42% to lower interest rates, and 35% to decrease overall debt.

✨Since 2005, the lending sector in the United States has almost doubled. FDIC-insured commercial banks alone provided around $12 trillion in loans and leases.

✨As of March 2023, about 44 million U.S. borrowers owed over $1.6 trillion in federal student loans. When you add private loans, the total surpasses $1.7 trillion, making it more than auto loans and credit card debt. Only home mortgage debt, around $12 trillion, is higher.

What Is The Total Loan Cost?

The total loan cost is the overall amount of money you’ll pay for a loan, covering both the borrowed amount and additional charges like interest. It can be used as a metric for comparing different loans and understanding the total expense.

For instance, if you borrow $10,000 with a 5% interest rate over 3 years, your total loan cost would be $11,616.22. This includes the original loan amount ($10,000) plus the interest ($1,616.22) over the loan’s duration.

Remember that the entire loan cost is decided by factors such as interest rates, loan duration, and associated fees. Knowing the complete cost allows you to determine whether a loan is suitable for your needs and how you may reduce the overall cost.

Why It Is Important to Reduce Your Total Loan Cost?

Saving money in the long run is crucial, and one way to do that is by cutting down your total loan cost. This involves lowering the interest and fees you pay throughout the loan’s life, leaving more money for important expenses.

For example, if you borrow $10,000 at 5% interest for 3 years, the total cost is $11,616.22. However, if you manage to lower the interest to 4%, your total cost decreases to $11,190.48, saving you $425.74.

There are various ways to reduce your total loan cost, like refinancing, making extra payments, or choosing a shorter loan term. Taking these steps not only saves you money but also helps you reach your financial goals faster.

How Can You Reduce Your Total Loan Cost? Real Strategies:

1. Refinance Your Loan:

You can save money by refinancing your loan to get a lower interest rate. If you have a $10,000 loan with 8% interest over 5 years, your monthly payment is $203.04, and the total cost is $12,182.40.

But, if you refinance at a 6% interest rate, your monthly payment drops to $193.33, and the total cost decreases to $11,599.80, saving you $582.60.

2. Make Extra Payments:

Paying extra money towards your loan can speed up the payoff and cut down the total interest you pay. For example, with a $10,000 loan at 8% interest over 5 years, your monthly payment is $203.04, and the total cost is $12,182.40.

But, if you make an extra $50 payment each month, you’ll clear the loan in 3 years and 8 months, reducing the total cost to $11,191.20 and saving you $991.20.

3. Negotiate With Your Lender:

You have the option to talk to your lender and discuss getting a lower interest rate or having certain fees waived.

For example, if your credit score is good and you’ve consistently made on-time payments, you might be able to negotiate a reduced interest rate on your loan.

4. Use Balance Transfer To Consolidate Debt.

If you have several loans with high-interest rates, consider using a balance transfer to combine them into one loan with a lower interest rate.

For example, if you owe $5,000 on a credit card with a 20% interest rate and $10,000 on a personal loan with a 10% interest rate, you can use a balance transfer to merge them into a single loan with a 5% interest rate.

This can save you money and decrease your overall loan cost.

5. Apply for Loan Forbearance.

If you’re having difficulty making your loan payments, you can request loan forbearance. This lets you temporarily pause or lower your payments until you’re financially stable again.

However, remember that interest might still accumulate during this period, so it’s crucial to be aware of the forbearance terms before applying.

What is The Role of Credit Score for Reducing The Total Loan Cost?

Lenders use your credit score to decide if you qualify for a loan and to set the interest rate. A higher credit score suggests you’re a low-risk borrower, making timely repayments likely. This may lead to a lower interest rate, reducing your overall loan cost.

For example, with a $10,000 loan at 8% interest over 5 years, your monthly payment is $203.04, and the total cost is $12,182.40. If you improve your credit score and qualify for a 6% interest rate, your monthly payment drops to $193.33, and the total cost decreases to $11,599.80, saving you $582.60.

Having a higher credit score enables you to get more favorable loan terms, lowering your overall loan cost. To enhance your credit score, make sure to pay bills on time, maintain a low credit card balance, and refrain from opening too many new credit accounts.

What is The Impact of Interest Rate on The Total Loan Cost?

The interest rate on a loan plays a crucial role in determining the overall cost of borrowing money. Higher interest rates result in more interest paid over the loan term, leading to a higher total loan cost.

Conversely, lower interest rates mean less interest paid and a lower overall cost of borrowing.

For example, with a $10,000 loan at 8% interest over 5 years, your monthly payment is $203.04, and the total cost is $12,182.40. If you manage to lower the interest rate to 6%, your monthly payment decreases to $193.33, and the total cost drops to $11,599.80, saving you $582.60.

Conclusion:

Reducing your total loan cost is crucial for reaching financial goals. You can achieve this by refinancing, making extra payments, negotiating with your lender, consolidating debt through balance transfers, or applying for loan forbearance. Maintaining a good credit score and opting for loans with lower interest rates also contribute to reducing overall borrowing costs. These tips aim to help you save money and meet your financial objectives. We hope our article on how can you reduce your total loan cost? has added some value to your Financial Wisdom.