Josh Ramos asked:




If you’re wondering about home equity loans, the basics are pretty simple. These kinds of loans are secured by the equity in your house. In other words, if you have paid off at least a part of your home mortgage, then you have a certain percentage of ownership in your home.

You can borrow against this ownership and use the funds for a variety of reasons. Home equity loans were originally meant to be used for financing home improvements. However, they are now being used in many more situations such as paying off high interest credit card debt or financing a new car purchase.

Of course, borrowing against your house to buy a new car is not exactly the smartest thing you could with the funds. Paying off high interest debt, however, would be a wiser use of your funds.

Even so, it is important to examine your situation thoroughly before you make the commitment involved with a home equity loan. After all, if your current debt situation is a result of your lack of self control, you need to address the spending habits.

Otherwise, the home equity loan will be a temporary escape, but in the long run it will end up being just another loan. Always remember that these kinds of loans are still debt!

If you can make the commitment to control your spending, however, the home equity loans can be a valuable tool to help you get out of debt. Another point to consider is that with a home equity line of credit, the funds do not have to be spent immediately. Just like with a credit card, you can use the credit whenever you need it. If you don’t use it, you will not owe anything.

You may want to consider applying for a home equity line of credit even if you don’t see the immediate need for it. If you have a good job and a good financial history, you should be able to obtain this line of credit. If you have any financial catastrophe in the future, this line of credit can be very useful to you. Just remember to exert some self control and save the line of credit for when you need it the most!

Ralph

minibikemulisha asked:


I have $15,000 in government student loans at 5.5%. They go back into repayment in 6 months. I’m just entering the work force and I’m thinking about doing a graduated repayment plan, it will rise as I make more and inflation rises. I have $20,000 saved in my bank account from work and saving. One friend of mine told me to use half of the $20,000 towards my loans before I consolidate making my loans at $5000, but that is money that didn’t come very easy for me and not very easy to make back since my income is currently low. Another friend told me to put my loans into repayment and invest my $20,000 I have saved and use my student loan interest tax write off to put towards taxes I have to pay from my investing. Use the money earned to pay my student loan monthly payments. I have no credit card debt, mortgage payments or any other debt besides a small car loan.

Any advice towards this situation would be great. If I should invest I’m open to investment advice, I’m not familiar with investing and I know the stock market is a mess at the moment. Thanks for your time.

Yolanda