How to Figure Out if Something is Worth Taking a Loan For

Taking a loan is a big financial decision that can have significant consequences on your future. A loan can help you achieve your goals, such as pursuing higher education, starting a business, or buying a house, but it can also put you in debt and affect your credit score. Therefore, before signing on the dotted line, it’s crucial to assess whether taking a loan is a wise choice. 

Here are some key considerations to help you figure out if something is worth taking a loan for:

1. The Purpose of the Loan

The first thing you need to ask yourself is why you need the loan and what you will use it for. Is it something that will add value to your life or career, such as education, health, business, or buying a house? Or is it for something that will only satisfy your wants or desires, such as travel, entertainment, or luxury items?

Generally, taking a loan for something that will generate income, increase your skills, or improve your well-being is more justified than taking a loan for something that will only bring you short-term pleasure or gratification. 

For example, taking a loan to pay for your tuition fees, medical bills, or business capital can be considered an investment in yourself or your future. These are things that can enhance your earning potential, career prospects, or quality of life in the long run. 

On the other hand, taking a loan to pay for a vacation, a concert ticket, or a designer outfit can be considered as an indulgence in yourself or your present. These are things that can give you happiness, excitement, or satisfaction in the short term, but may not have any lasting value or benefit. 

Of course, there is nothing wrong with indulging yourself once in a while, as long as you can afford it and it does not affect your other financial obligations and goals. However, if you have to take a loan to do so, you may want to think twice about whether it is worth it or not. 

Read Also: How to Avoid Regret After Taking a Loan

2. The Cost of the Loan

The second thing you need to consider is how much the loan will cost you in terms of interest, fees, and charges. 

The cost of the loan depends on several factors, such as the amount borrowed, the interest rate, the repayment term, and the lender. You should compare different loan options and choose the one that offers the lowest cost and the best terms. You should also read the fine print and be aware of any hidden fees or penalties that may apply if you miss a payment or default on the loan.

For example, if you borrowed Ksh10,000 from an online lending platform at an interest rate of 10% per month for 6 months, you will end up paying Ksh16,500 in total (Ksh10,000 principal + Ksh6,500 interest). However, if you borrowed the same amount from a bank at an interest rate of 12% per year for 6 months, you will end up paying Ksh10,600 in total (Ksh10,000 principal + Ksh600 interest). Clearly, the bank loan is cheaper and more affordable than the online lending platform loan. 

However, the cost of a loan is not only determined by the interest rate. You also need to consider other fees that may apply depending on the lender and the type of loan. 

For instance, some lenders may charge an origination fee (a fee for processing your loan application), a service fee (a fee for maintaining your loan account), a late payment fee (a fee for paying after the due date), or a prepayment fee (a fee for paying off your loan before the end of the term). These fees can add up quickly and increase the cost of your loan significantly. 

Therefore, before you take a loan, you should do your homework and shop around for the best deal. This entails comparing offerings from different lenders and carefully scrutinizing their terms and conditions. You can also use online calculators or tools to estimate how much you will pay in total for your loan. Lastly, it’s crucial to communicate any inquiries or uncertainties with your lender and seek clarification before finalizing any contractual agreements. 

Read Also: How Do I Decide Whether to Take a Loan or Not?

3. The Affordability of the Loan

The third thing you need to evaluate is whether you can afford to repay the loan without compromising your other financial obligations and goals. 

To achieve this, it’s advisable to create a realistic budget that takes into account your essential expenses such as rent, food, utilities, and transportation. Additionally, consider your savings, investments, and emergency funds. 

Next, compare the remaining income after accounting for these expenses with the monthly loan payment. Ensure you have sufficient surplus to comfortably cover it. If not, you may need to reduce your expenses, increase your income, or reconsider taking the loan. 

Read Also: Full Guide: All You Need to Know About Personal Loans in Kenya

4. Other Alternatives to the Loan

Another thing you need to explore is whether there are any other ways to finance your need or want without taking a loan. 

For example, you may be able to save up for it by cutting down on unnecessary spending or finding extra sources of income. You may also be able to borrow from your family or friends who can offer you lower or no interest rates and more flexible repayment terms. 

When it comes to student loans you can consider alternatives such as grants, scholarships, or subsidies that can cover part or all of your expenses.

However, these alternatives may not always be available or suitable for everyone. They may also have some drawbacks or limitations that you need to consider. 

For example, saving up for something can take a long time and require a lot of discipline and sacrifice. Borrowing from family or friends can create conflicts or misunderstandings if you fail to repay them on time or as agreed. While applying for grants or scholarships may be competitive and require meeting certain criteria or conditions. 

Therefore, before you take a loan, you should consider all your options and choose the one that best suits your needs and circumstances.

Read Also: Things to Consider Before Taking a Personal Loan in Kenya

5. The Urgency of Your Need

It’s also important to determine how urgent your need or want is and whether it can wait until you have enough money to pay for it without taking a loan. 

Some needs are more urgent than others, such as medical emergencies, legal issues, or overdue bills. These needs require immediate action and justify taking a loan if you have no other options. 

However, some wants are less urgent and can be postponed until you have saved enough money or found other ways to finance them. These wants may not warrant taking a loan if doing so will put you in financial stress or risk. 

For example, if you need to pay for an urgent surgery that can save your life or prevent further complications, taking out a loan may be worth it if you have no health insurance or savings to cover the cost.

However, if you want to buy a new phone that has better features than your current one but is not essential for your work or studies, taking out a loan may not be worth it if you can wait until you have enough money to buy it without borrowing.  

Read Also: 5 Ways a Personal Loan Can Improve Your Life

6. Your Financial Situation and Budget

The sixth thing you need to assess is your overall financial situation and budget and how taking a loan will affect them.

Examine your earnings, expenditures, assets, debts, credit history, and financial goals to assess how they might change the inclusion of a loan. 

Additionally, contemplate the potential consequences of taking out a loan on your future plans and opportunities, such as purchasing a vehicle, getting married, starting a family, or retiring. Ideally, you should question whether obtaining a loan will expedite your progress toward your financial goals or further impede them. 

For example, if you take a loan to pay for your tuition fees, you may be able to graduate sooner and get a better job with higher pay. This can improve your financial situation and enable you to save more money for your other goals. However, if you take a loan to buy a car that you don’t really need, you might end up spending more money on maintenance, fuel, insurance, and parking fees. This can worsen your financial situation and prevent you from saving enough money for your other goals.

Read Also: The Easiest Loans to Get in Kenya

7. Consider the ROI

You also need to consider the return on investment (ROI) of taking a loan. 

ROI is the ratio of the benefit gained from an investment to the cost incurred for making it. In other words, it measures how much value you get from spending money on something. 

To calculate the ROI of taking a loan, you need to estimate how much money you will earn or save by using the loan for its intended purpose and compare it with how much money you will spend on repaying the loan with interest and fees. If the benefit is greater than the cost, then taking a loan may be worth it. However, if the cost is greater than the benefit, then taking a loan may not be worth it.

8. Consider Seeking Professional Advice if Uncertain

The final thing you need to do is to seek professional advice if you are still unsure whether taking a loan is a good idea or not. 

You can consult a financial planner, a credit counselor, or a trusted friend or family member who has experience or expertise in personal finance. S/he can help you analyze your situation, weigh your options, and make an informed decision.  They can also help you find the best loan option for your needs and budget and guide you through the application and repayment process. 

Read Also: Where Can I Get a Loan Without Security in Kenya?

Wrapping Up

Taking a loan is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. It can have both positive and negative effects on your life depending on how you use it and how you manage it. Therefore before taking a loan, you should carefully consider the above factors and make sure that taking a loan is worth it for you.