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Car Finance Interest Rates

What Is a Good Car Finance Rate?

Buying a new car is an extremely momentous and exciting occasion in your life. Whether it is your first car and a second-hand model, or your fifth car and you have opted for new off the shelf. The one thing that factors into both is being able to pay it off. Finding the right finance rate for your car is very subjective, and a lot of it has to do with your individual circumstances. So what is a good car finance rate?

Let’s take a look at this further.

What is car finance?

Having a car is almost a necessity in life for most people. From travelling to and from the office to dropping kids off at school and extracurricular activities, it can be hard to get by without them. In fact, some families even find they need two cars to make things work. The problem is, cars tend to gobble up money – fast.

If you don’t have enough savings to go out and buy a car (new or secondhand), taking out a car loan is a great option. It allows you to pay back the car in manageable instalments so you don’t feel the full hit of the purchase all at once.

Of course, it does come with a catch. Just like any other loan, you repay it with interest to the financial institution you borrowed from. So let us take a look at what is a good car finance rate?

excited buying new car

What is a good car finance rate?

As previously mentioned, this often depends on your individual circumstances. But there are a few key factors that need to be considered when taking out a car loan. All these factors help determine your finance rate and how much you end up paying in the long run:

Interest rate

This is, of course, one of the biggest components to factor in when weighing up a car loan. The interest rate is expressed as a per annum number. Before taking out a loan (any loan) you need to know what that interest rate is. Your credit score can affect how much interest you pay. If you have bad credit and have a history of not paying off loans, a traditional lender is unlikely to take a chance on you. You may have to look for a non-traditional lender who will offset the risk with a higher interest rate.

The loan period

This can be as short as three years or as long as five years. If you opt for a longer-term loan it means your repayments each month will be smaller. However, you end up paying more interest overall.

The repayments

In general, these are made monthly. However, you can always discuss with your lender if you would prefer to pay these off fortnightly or weekly instead. If you pay it off quicker, it can mean you will end up paying less interest in the long term.

Fees and charges

It is always important to look into other fees and charges that might be involved. These can add to the loan amount significantly.

Get the best car finance rate
There is a lot to consider before applying for car finance

How to get the best car finance rate?

Now that you know what is a good car finance rate and the factors that contribute to it, you can look at how to get the best rate for yourself.

You have a couple of options when it comes to taking out a loan:

  1. Take one out with the dealer: the finance rates are often higher with this option, but there is no planning required and it’s very convenient.
  2. Take one out with a bank or non-traditional lender: this option is less convenient, but often gives you the best rate. You are not relying on the dealer for both the price of the vehicle and the loan, so it takes away a bargaining chip.

The best way to get the best rate is to do your homework. Shop around and take a look at who is offering the lowest rates and whether the terms they set work for you.

What if I want to change my loan?

Firstly, it is important to determine whether refinancing your car is the right step for you. What exactly is it and what does it entail?

It essentially involves taking out a new loan to pay off your own loan. The main idea behind refinancing your car is to save you money in the process. If you manage to reduce your monthly repayments then it can free up that cash to be spent on other financial commitments.

There are four reasons you might look at refinancing your car:

  1. Lower monthly payment
  2. Lower interest rate
  3. Longer loan term
  4. Shorter loan term

If you are unhappy with your current situation and are looking into what is a good car finance rate, then this may be the best option for you.

Getting the right help

Whether you are in the stage of looking at different cars on the market and working out your finance options, or perhaps you bought a car recently (or not so recently) and are looking at changing your loan. It is always good to get a professional opinion. The team at Australian Lending Centre will look at your particular situation and offer the best advice based on your needs. Get in contact with us today.

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Financial Fitness

Saving Money On a Lower Income

There is a range of strategies you can employ to make saving money o. One of the major areas that can save you a lot in the long term is debt consolidation. There are also some other lifestyle choices you can make to improve your financial situation.

Many people think it is all too hard, but everything you do will help, even small changes can make a huge difference. We can all employ a range of measures that will prevent budget blowouts without sacrificing all the things you like doing.

If you are finding yourself on the roller coaster of no savings, bad debt management, poor (or no) budgeting and everything is a bit chaotic, Australian Lending Centre has some tips and tricks to get you out of bad debt employing activities such as debt consolidation, saving and feeling in control again.

First things first – Where Does Your Money Currently Go?

If you don’t yet have a budget, keep a financial diary for your pay period and track how you are spending your money. The Money Smart website offers a great money tracking app to make this easier. This will give you valuable insight into your habits and areas you can save.

  • What are you spending your money on?
  • How much is left over at the end of the pay period?
  • What money needs to go out on payments and bills?
  • Are there any areas of waste or unnecessary spending?
  • Are there areas where you are going backwards and getting into arrears?

Planning and Budgeting  – Where Will Your Money Go?

Once you have a record of what your current spending entails, get online to the Money Smart website and complete the budget tool. Be sure to include all your debts, payments, bills, and income. Mark payments and amounts in your calendar.

Most bank online apps have the ability to schedule payments, so they come out when they are due, but if these are also in your calendar you won’t get any unexpected payments coming out. These regular payments can including things like:

  • Mortgage or rent
  • Car payments, car registration and insurance
  • Household/health insurance
  • Credit card payments
  • Loan repayments
  • Store card payments
  • Afterpay/ZipPay (remember that defaulting on these can effect your credit score)
  • Utilities such as gas and electricity (you may want to discuss bill smoothing with your provider – this is a regular payment over time rather than a massive and shocking bill each quarter)
  • Internet and phone

Bad Debts? Talk to the Credit Provider

The bottom line is that companies want to be paid. They are always receptive if you explain your situation, especially if you have, or are, experiencing financial hardship.

You may be able to negotiate with them to reduce or put a hold on payments until you get back on top of things. Of course, you still have the pay the money back, but a hiatus on payments can help in the short term.

Some credit providers will allow you to reduce the final figure if you can pay the debt outright. If they offer this, it may be time for debt consolidation. If you are too overwhelmed by the phone calls and letters, then talk to us about negotiating on your behalf.

Next Steps – Take Control With Debt Consolidation

When loans and credit cards get beyond what you can cope with in terms of interest and late payments, it might be time to call in help from the experts. Companies like Australian Lending Centre can offer a solution for a bad credit debt consolidation loan.

This is where you negotiate with lenders for a reduced payout figure and then apply for a single loan that will cover all your bills in one payment with a lower interest than general credit cards and late payment fees.

Having one simple debt consolidation loan payment to go out eat pay period is going to be a lot easier than trying to remember everything. The sooner you simplify your payments, the sooner you will be in an easier financial situation.

Money-Saving Tips

Turn off the TV

Are services like Netflix, Foxtel, Stan, Hayu and the iTunes store getting beyond ridiculous? Try cutting out all but the most popular one, to cut back.

Turning off the TV will also help cut back on power and expose you to less spend-inducing ads. You might also have app subscriptions that you don’t need. Although these are small they can add up in a month.

Stop Hoarding and Start Selling

If you have closets full of unwanted clothes, try selling them online. A good clean out also helps you to see what your wearable wardrobe looks like so you can plan your clothes shopping to maximise your shopping budget.

Also if you buy anything make sure it goes with the other items in your wardrobe. Take advantage of sales, why pay retail when most clothes will go on sale towards the middle of the season.

Look for those habits that add up

You can cut back on your habits, such as drinking alcohol during the week, smoking (probably goes without saying but your health and budget will thank you), buying coffees, can all save a surprising amount as well as having general health benefits.

Limiting your drinking to the weekend can save hundreds a month, depending on your drink of choice. That bottle of wine after work at $15 a night can really add up over the week. Similarly, a $4 coffee each day is $20 a week. Make coffee at home in a keep cup and save money and the environment.

Stop using your credit card

By switching to using your debit card or cash for purchases, you will be more aware of your spending habits. It will also prevent the slide into bad credit debt.

Be frugal at the supermarket

Most of the time, buying in bulk or larger sizes are cheaper over time, so check on the prices for the larger sizes. Don’t shop with kids. Pester power is a thing and can increase your spend at the checkout. Never shop when you are hungry. Buy less meat, which is expensive, and opt for more meat-free alternatives, such as tofu, beans, and pulses.

Eat Smarter

With a busy life, planning meals can be a real chore, but while using services like Uber Eats seems like a good alternative, you are actually paying $5 on top of takeaway prices and it really can add up at the end of the pay period. By shopping in bulk, cooking healthy meals and taking the leftovers to work for lunch, you can save quite a lot each day.

Are You Missing Out On Government Payments You Are Entitled To?

Lastly, make sure you check all your entitlements with regards to government payments. As a low-income earner, you may be eligible for some form of financial support if you aren’t already receiving a government benefit.

When every dollar counts it’s worthwhile claiming all you can. To check on payments and entitlements, check out the Department of Human Services. Even a small additional payment may ease your financial burden. Living on a low income is hard, but these payments are designed to help.

Small Changes with Big Returns

Once you have a clearer picture about where your money goes, you make changes to your lifestyle and start on the path to greater financial control, the happier, healthier and less stressed overall you will be.If you need help with debt consolidation, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Note: This information is general, and doesn’t take into account your specific personal and financial circumstances.

Categories
Financial Planning

Tips to Manage Financial Challenges

If you are in a difficult situation facing financial challenges, learning how to properly use loans, for bad credit applicants, can help.

Do you have a steady source of income which covers not only your needs but also your wants as well? If you’re one of the thousands of Australians who want secure finances but are also dealing with financial issues, you may be wondering how you can achieve that reality.

What Are Your Financial Challenges?

Like many individuals in serious debt, you are probably worried about trying to pay for your daily living expenses and outstanding debts, while wishing to buy a home, a car and probably take a vacation. If so, don’t ever think that you’re alone in this aspect. There are also many struggling parents who need to save for your children’s education while paying off debts and adults with elderly parents to support. And, things get worse when you are going through a divorce, dealing with a death in your family or probably looking for a substitute job for the one you recently lost.

The truth is that there are many events in life that test not only our ability to cope financially but to think positively and overcome these trials with a smile.

Use your financing options to manage these financial challenges

Learn how to take control of your finances, boost your borrowing power and secure a better financial life with the following tips:

Write down each of your goals

Are you really determined to pay off all your high-interest loans? Or do you just need to have a better credit rating so you can borrow even more? Sometimes, we don’t actually know what we want. We just keep on looking for solutions to our immediate problems without looking into their root cause.

For example, if you have $5,000 worth of debts, both in consumer credits and loans, do you trace back to the causes of those purchases? Or, do you simply skip the reflection aspect and look for better financing that could lower your interests so you can have more money to spend on your needs and wants?

While there is nothing wrong in looking for better deals, such as low-interest and easy to pay bad credit loans. Finding the root of the problem in your finances can help you make better decisions with regard to budgeting and balancing your sources of revenue.

Swap the present wants for future needs

Are you spending a few hundred dollars on things you can live without—such as a gym membership, magazine subscription and a trip to your favourite coffee shop? If so, think of how you could use the money to build wealth, like starting a retirement plan to secure your finances in later years.

The sooner you start saving for retirement, the more financially secure you can be when you finally stop working. These contributions are typically tax-deductible, so aside from getting a tax credit for starting a retirement plan, you can also grow your money faster because savings grow faster in a retirement plan as a result of tax-free compounding.  In the end, even small contributions can make a significant difference over time.

Diversify your investments

Do you know how to protect yourself against ignorance? Warren Buffet says that it is through ‘diversification’. Since you’re not really sure if an investment will appreciate over time, you should diversify your portfolio to ensure that your exposure to any individual asset is limited.

What are the asset classes that you currently hold?

Are you involved in alternative investments like real estate, or are you simply invested in stocks or bonds?

Instead of chasing performance for a single investment class why don’t you add a good mix of real estate, cash, bonds and stocks in your egg basket? This way, you can protect your financial portfolio from wreaking havoc when the market declines. If you put more than 15% of your money into a company’s stock, you may be heading for disaster. While you may not be thinking of the worst-case scenario, preparing for these things can help you when you lose your job and your other sources of income. Losing your investments as well, all at once is not an easy crash to bounce from.

Grow your wealth

One of the most important benefits of bad credit loans is that you can use it for wealth maximisation. Create a long-term investment strategy that requires adjustment in your personal budgeting and your appetite for risk. This helps to ensure that no major market glitch will pull your finances down. You never know what will happen tomorrow, but one thing is for sure… life goes on and with the right mindset and professional help, you can enjoy a comfortable and financially stable lifestyle.

Contact the Australian Lending Centre today and receive financial advice from our specialist loans team.

Categories
Financial Planning

Practical Money Saving Tips

If despite having a good budget, you are still spending more than you should, then it’s high time you must follow these practical money saving tips.

There are three steps involved in saving money

First, know how much you have

  • If you’re not a fan of a balance sheet, you can start doing this simple work today. Create a list of your assets and liabilities to know where you are financially. You might be earning a few thousand dollars, but your debt is over the edge. Or, you don’t have a decent income but you have zero debts. The exact amount of your asset versus your liability will help you identify serious problems with your finances and the areas that you can change.
  • One of the most practical money saving tips is to get a free copy of your credit report from a major credit bureau. It is a summary of your current and past financial obligations. You can also check the additional fees and penalties, and the accounts which should not be there anymore. By looking at your credit report, you will understand which debts are pulling your credit score down and which ones must be paid off as soon as possible. You can dispute negative entries which are inaccurate directly with the reporting agencies or your credit provider.
  • Collect all your bills and receipts. categorize them according to use—if they’re for home expenses, transportation, work-related, school,-related and so on, put a label on each file. That way, it will be easy for you to check which bills have been paid and those which were not.

Second, pay off your current liabilities

It’s not easy to pay your debts especially if you have too much of them. IN fact, debt repayment is a long journey and a lot of people have given up and settled for high interests and poor credit rating because they lost the motivation to reach their financial goals. Here are ways to pay off debts when you have limited resources:

  • Organise your debt by balance, minimum payment, interest rate and due dates. Check the billing statements or ask your lender for details.
  • Use the “debt avalanche” method to save money on interests. It is the method that pays the debts with the highest interests first and the lowest interest rate, last. By paying off the debt with higher interest, you stop the interest from accruing on your accounts.

An Example

You have a credit card debt of $10,000 with an interest rate of 20%. Each month, while you pay off your debt, a certain portion of that payment will go toward the interest.  If you pay off that debt first, you will be able to save $2000 in a year. You can consolidate your loan to pay your credit card debts or you can make extra payments each month to rip through the interest faster by making more payments toward the principal.

  • If you have limited income but you want to eliminate debts one by one, you can use the debt snowball method. Start paying the accounts with the lowest balance and work your way up to the ones with the highest balance. You may not save a lot of money in this process and it may not be the most practical approach, but it would motivate you to keep going, knowing that you are making progress. For example, you have an outstanding credit card debt of $10,000 at 20% APR, a $5000 short term loan and small consumer debts worth $500 from Store A, $300 from Store B and $150 from Store C, all at 5% interest. If you pay off your consumer debts amounting to $950, you will only save $47.50 in interest. But, it will be a good emotional experience that will motivate you to kick your hefty debts to the curb.

Third, find the money to save

Build your wealth on a daily basis. Here are simple acts of savings that could save you hundreds to thousands of dollars in a year:

  1. Keep your loose change
  2. Drink water instead of juice or soda
  3. Bring your own homemade or instant coffee at work
  4. Pack your own lunch and snacks at work
  5. Remodel your clothes. You don’t have to be an expert tailor or dressmaker to do this. Scissors and a little bit of creativity can do the trick.
  6. automate payments to avoid paying late fees on credit cards, utility bills and the like
  7. Declutter your home and office. You might be surprised to find recyclable items there.
  8. Choose thrift stores over high fashion boutiques. You can find designer clothes and good quality materials which were slightly used in there.
  9. Use your time to earn money. You don’t have to be a full-time worker to do this. Small and odd jobs may do, as long as it will give you extra money to save. You can make money out of your passion or hobbies.
  10. Avoid window shopping. It’s too tempting to resist.

Now you are aware of practical money saving tips, you will be able to take greater control of your finances. When you get started on saving, you will find it exciting and a little bit frustrating at the same time. There are times that you would be tempted to use your credit cards once again. So, if you’re finding it difficult to balance your debts and income—you can get a little help from a debt consolidation company to help you pay off all your debts and start all over again with only one debt to worry about. It will help you focus on saving and repayments, and hopefully on building your wealth as well.

Categories
Financial Planning

Top money saving tips with a financial planning strategy

If you are trying to save money, then you won’t be short of advice on how to go about it.

The Internet and various conventional publications are overflowing with well-intentioned wisdoms.  Many of those ideas are perfectly credible and even laudable but unless you’re either very experienced in financial management or psychic, you may struggle to make sense if at all.

That’s because some elements of that advice are going to be in conflict with each other and it’s also fair to say that great chunks of it may not be particularly pertinent to your individual circumstances.

However, don’t give up!  The answer is what’s called a financial planning strategy and here are some top tips about how to go about putting one together.