Comprehensive Guide To Different Debt Types: Good Vs Bad Debts

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Jan 30, 2023

Comprehensive Guide To Different Debt Types: Good Vs Bad Debts

General Overview

There is certainly an argument to make that no debt is good, especially when you're talking about mortgages. After all, homeownership is one of the most significant investments we can make in our lives. However, there are times where borrowing money and taking on credit cards can actually be beneficial. For example, if you're planning on buying a house, you'll likely need to take out a mortgage loan. And while it's true that you could save up enough cash to buy a home outright, doing so might not always be possible. So, how do you know whether or not borrowing money is worth it? As you might know already, maybe, here are four things to consider:

1. How much does the item cost?

If you plan on paying off the entire amount within five years, it probably makes sense to borrow money. But if you plan on making payments over several decades, it might be better to pay cash.

2. What type of interest rates are attached to the loan?

Some lenders offer lower interest rates than others. You want to avoid getting stuck with a high APR, since that can really add up over period of time.

3. Is the lender willing to work with you?

A lot of people feel comfortable working with a bank because they know what to expect. But when dealing with a private individual, you may find yourself having to deal with different terms and conditions than what the bank offers.

4. Does the lender require collateral?

This refers to anything you own, such as cars, homes, or retirement accounts. If you don't have something else to put up as collateral, it might not be worth it.

Key Points: Good Debt vs. Bad Debt

"Good debt helps you build wealth over time."

A good debt is one that increases your net worth. Bad debts are those that involve buying something quickly that will soon lose value.

You don't want to buy things like cars, boats, or homes with credit cards because it could hurt your finances.

If you're struggling financially, consider taking out a loan against your home equity.

Debt is something most companies deal with every day. Whether it’s credit card debt, business loans, student loans, or mortgages, many small businesses face the challenge of managing their finances well enough to avoid incurring too much additional debt. However, there is a major difference between good debt and bad debt. Like mentioned before, good debt helps a firm grow and thrive. Bad debt, on the other hand hinders growth and could lead to bankruptcy.

You have to be mindful that bankruptcy is not the solution for major debt.

Good debt includes things like purchasing new equipment, expanding into new markets, or hiring more employees. This allows a company to continue growing and prospering even during hard times.

Bad debt, on the other side, includes things like buying items that aren't necessary or paying off old debts rather than investing in future growth. These types of debt (expenses) hurt a company's bottom line. They reduce profit margins and make it harder to expand.

For business owners or clients who are already in debt, debt consolidation loans are beneficial most credit cards due to a lower interest rate allowing you to pay off outstanding debts and save more money on future interest payments.

Learn more on Best Debt Consolidation Plans in Singapore 2022 here.

Debt Reduction Strategies To Pay Off Your Company Debt

The best option is to pay off business debt as much as you can afford simply. However, if you have several bills to pay off, this might not be enough. Below are a few additional debt payment methods that can enable you to pay off your debt more quickly.

Debt Avalanche Method

The avalanche method involves paying off your debts by focusing on the ones with the highest rates first, whilst making minimum monthly repayments on all other debts. You could say that this type of debt is considered largest debt. After that, focus on the next highest rate, and so on until all debts have been paid off.

This means that when you pay off one debt, you have additional money to pay off the next.

Debt Snowball Method

The snowball method aims to clear the smallest debt first and build up to the largest one. Like the snowball method of repaying loans, each loan repaid makes it easier to repay the next one.

On the other hand, this method may result less overall revenue with more interest paid than the avalanche approach.

Balance Transfers

A 0% balance transfer card may assist lower repayments required to clear a debt fully. However, good credit rating is needed to qualify for balance transfers.

Normally there is a small fee associated with transferring funds from one account to another, but it is usually considerably cheaper than the interest saved by not having to pay interest.

Importance Of Credit Scores In Getting A Debt

For anyone with a poor credit score, accessing additional borrowing, whether that’s in the form of a home loan, a car loan, a personal loan, or help with unforeseen expenses, can be difficult. However, there are ways to improve your financial situation, even if you don't have much experience managing money. One such method is called ‘credit building’ – a process where you demonstrate that you are a reliable borrower, and improve your overall credit score. This is achieved by taking out a ‘credit builder’ card, which offers low rates and no fees.

Credit builders are designed to offer lower rates and better terms than standard cards, and many people use them to build up their credit rating without incurring any interest payments. But how does this work exactly? And what can you do to make sure you get the best deal possible?

How Does A Credit Builder Card Work?

The first step is to apply for a credit builder card (credit card) from an established provider. Once approved, you will receive a plastic card that you can use to make purchases at participating stores. The card comes with a set amount of credit available, but you won’t need to worry about using all of it. Instead, you can choose to repay the balance over a fixed period of time (usually 12 months), or pay back the full value immediately. If you opt for the latter option, you’ll incur no interest charges. Tough times, tough choices, right?

Once you’ve repaid the entire balance, you’ll see your credit score rise. This means that you’re now eligible for other types of credit, including mortgages, personal loans, overdrafts, and so on. It also means that you can access cheaper deals when buying items like furniture, appliances, and cars.