Why Do People Borrow?
"Do you often wonder why people borrow? Have you always done
everything in your power to keep "borrowing" and "debt" at an
arm's length? Do you for some reason feel there is still an
element of stigma attached to being in debt?
Well, times have changed. Borrowing money is no longer something
people are embarrassed about or consider only as a last resort.
It has become a way of life for millions of people around the
world, enabling them to survive times of crises if not live out
their dreams. In the U.S., thousands borrow money every single
day. You might not think of it that way, but you are actually
borrowing money each time you use your credit card!
If they couldn't borrow money easily, most average Americans
would find it very hard to own a home or a car. After all, how
many of us have thousands stashed away in our bank accounts at
any given point of time? When you have several day-to-day
financial obligations to meet - putting food on the table,
sending children to school, paying the rent and medical bills -
borrowing is often the only way to raise money for big
transactions, like buying a house or funding a business.
Being in debt is a reality for most people today and it is a
perfectly acceptable situation if are on top of your finances.
As long as you are managing your money in a way that ensures you
regularly pay back what you have borrowed, there is nothing to
worry about. Debt becomes a problem only when you start to live
beyond your means or if you borrow without thinking of how to
repay it.
Because it has become an integral part of life, borrowing is
easier today than it has ever been. There are thousands of banks
and other financial institutions that lend money. These
traditional lenders however favor borrowers who have good credit
ratings. But even people with bad credit now have avenues for
borrowing. There are hundreds of creditors today who specialize
in giving loans to people with repayment problems in their past.
Many even extend loans without collateral, which makes it easy
for people who are not homeowners to borrow.
You can borrow money for whatever you wish. A mortgage allows
you to buy a home. A refinance loan enables replacing the
original mortgage with a loan at lower interest. A personal loan
can be taken if you need cash to tide over an emergency or if
you want to make purchases, fund a vacation, get your child a
good higher education, carry out home repairs or for any other
purpose. A home equity loan is money borrowed against the equity
you own in your home. The money could be used for anything. Then
there are auto loans that can help you own your dream car.
Borrowing can be a positive thing. It can serve as a means to an
end. If you are prudent with your finances, taking a loan could
work out well for you. Don't get swayed by alarmist projections
in the media that Americans have lost control of their finances
and the nation is doomed to live in debt. According to the
Federal Reserve, vast majority of Americans either owe nothing
to creditors or have minor debts that they can pay off
comfortably. "