Prepayment Strategy if you have Multiple Personal Loans

Do you have multiple personal loans?

Hmm….

And do you now feel a little bogged down with all those EMI payments every month?

It’s natural to feel that way, even if you had been careful in choosing personal loans when you needed money.

Personal loans aren’t cheap. And if you leave credit cards’ outstanding debt interest rates aside, then personal loans are indeed the costliest forms of borrowing. This is not to say that personal loans are bad. These are unsecured loans, and hence, lenders charge a higher rate of interest to protect (and compensate) themselves for the higher risk they are taking for lending money without security.

So what should you do if you have multiple loans and want to begin prepaying them?

The best way is to make use of mathematics.

And the maths of personal loans (or any other loan for that matter) is such that the tenure selected along with the loan amount and the interest rate determines your final EMI.

Ideally, you should try to keep the repayment period as short as possible. Although your EMIs for a short-tenor loan would be higher than a longer-tenure loan, it makes mathematical sense to reduce your total interest outgo.

But what to do if you have surplus money that you can use?

Many people think – Should I pay off my loans or invest for future goals? Or should I simultaneously tackle both? These and similar questions belong to a class of debate (Pay off Loans Vs. Invest), where to be honest, there is no one right answer. I have already written about this aspect in detail at Pay off loans Vs. Investing.

But let’s say that you have multiple loans and want to begin prepayment, then how should you go about it? And what should be the thought process?

Let’s discuss this in this post.

Remember that personal loan interest rates are quite high. And sometimes, it might be possible for you to pay your personal loan off in advance instead of waiting till the end of the loan tenure to fully pay it off. Why can this be helpful to you as a borrower? Because prepayment results in substantial savings in terms of interest costs since the personal loan rates are very high.

As a borrower, you have the option of making a part payment or full prepayment of the loan. And in either case, the borrower benefits more if the prepayment is done relatively early into the tenure of the loan.

Why?

Let me use a small example.

Suppose you take a personal loan of Rs 5 lac for 5 years at a 15% interest rate.

Your monthly EMI will be approx. Rs 11,895.

And in 5 years, you will repay Rs 5 lac as the principal and additionally, Rs 2.13 lac in interest costs. Here is how the regular loan repayment schedule (over 5-year loan tenure) looks:

Now let’s say that after a year, you want to make a prepayment. Do note that personal loans generally have a lock-in (~1 year). It is only after this lock-in period is over that the entire loan outstanding amount can be prepaid.

After the end of 1st year, you would have paid a total of Rs 1.42 lac (via 12 EMIs of Rs 11,895). Out of this, Rs 72,596 goes towards principal repayment, and Rs 70,143 goes towards interest payment. So the loan outstanding after 1st year is Rs 4.27 lac. If you decide to prepay the loan in full now (i.e., Rs 4.27 lac), then you stand to save about Rs 1.44 lac in interest.

But what if you instead decide to make the prepayment after completion of 3rd year?

After the end of 3rd year, you would have paid a total of Rs 4.28 lac (via 36 EMIs of Rs 11,895). Out of this, Rs 2.55 lac would have gone towards principal repayment, and Rs 1.73 lac would have gone towards interest payment. So the loan outstanding after 3rd year would be Rs 2.45 lac. If you decide to prepay the loan in full after 3rd year (i.e., Rs 2.45 lac), then you stand to save only about Rs 40,155 in interest.

So why has the interest saved reduced if you make a prepayment at the end of 3rd year instead of at the end of the 1st year? Because you would have already paid a lot of interest in the first 3 years.

Here is the combined summary of what we have discussed until now:

So if you were to ask, what the best way to manage your personal loan prepayments is?

Then the answer is simply to try and prepay the entire loan outstanding amount as early in the tenure as possible. This way, you forego less and less on interest. The more you delay your prepayments, the more interest is already paid, and less will be the interest savings when you make the prepayment.

Note – If you prepay your personal loan and have the choice of reducing EMI Vs. Reducing loan tenure, then go for tenure reduction by keeping EMI constant. Reducing the EMI will substantially decrease your interest savings, and hence, it’s best to minimize loan tenure by keeping EMI constant after personal loan prepayment.

But please don’t feel that if you have been unable to prepay in the initial part of the tenure, then there is no point doing it later on. The benefit of prepayment indeed goes on reducing as the tenure reduces. And that’s because the loan EMIs are structured in such a way that interest payments are higher during the initial part of the tenure. However, it may still be beneficial to prepay. So no matter when you make the prepayment and how much (full or partial) you prepay, you will, without doubt, save some interest. So if the interest rate on your personal loan is high, then try to do so early on in the tenure, and if you can’t, then doing it later on in the tenure is still fine.

The mathematics of part payment of personal loans also works on similar lines.

Part-payment of a personal loan is when you make a prepayment, which is not equal to the full outstanding amount. But it still works and helps you save interest as it brings down the principal amount, which in turn brings down the total interest eventually paid.

So as you may have noticed by now, there is a straightforward relationship between the amount you prepay + when you prepay it (during the tenure) and the savings you can make by minimizing the interest outgo on loan.

And if you have multiple personal loans (let’s not get into why and how you got into this debt trap), then you should make prepayments of that personal loan first, which has a higher rate of interest.

It’s a no brainer. Right?

So those are the significant advantages of prepayment and part payment of personal loans.

But the prepayment strategy will differ for different loans. So even though you can save a lot of interest by making prepayment or taking short tenure home loans, it is also worth mentioning that post-tax home loan interest rates are quite loan and can make a case for not prepaying. But the story is different for high-interest personal and other loans.

It is always advisable to do a detailed cost-benefit analysis before deciding to prepay any type of loan.

20 comments

  1. Let’s be clear when the context is about personal loans. Personal loans are not cheap at any cost. Moreover, if you deduct the debt interests of the credit cards, then personal loans are the costliest form of borrowing. However, if you are feeling discouraged by seeing this fact, just don’t be! To be precise, opting for personal loans is a practical choice nowadays. Personal loans are great when you have to address your financial instability in a short span of time. However, you have to exercise a little bit of caution when you have opted for multiple loans at a single time.

  2. Are you wondering what to do when you have multiple loans issued against your name? Well, you have to use a bit of Mathematics to ensure that you can repay them in the mentioned time period. The mathematics for repaying personal loans is quite interesting. The time period of repayment which you have selected with the loan amount and the rate of interest usually calculates your EMIs. Notably, my personal recommendation to you would be to keep the repayment period as short as possible. It always makes sense to decrease your total interest rates. Also, note that your EMIs for a short-term loan are higher when compared to a long-term loan.

  3. In the realm of personal loans, it is always a great choice to pay off your EMIs before the stipulated time. Are you wondering why? Well, when you pay off your dues before the repayment period, you can save a great amount of money. In other words, you avail a great deal of savings in terms of the interest rates. As the interest rates of personal loans are always high, make sure that you are able to pay before the repayment period. This would also help you to avoid incurring hefty and unnecessary interest rates.

  4. Interestingly, when you are borrowing a personal loan, you are provided with two options. First, you can opt for a part payment. Secondly, you have the choice to avail the full prepayment of the loan. In both these options, you would benefit more if the prepayment is executed relatively early. When you pay off the loan early, you would have the option to avoid incurring heavy interest rates. Nowadays, individuals usually opt for prepayment keeping in mind the high rate of interest involved in case of personal loans. Paying off with interest rates is not the ideal way to deal with personal loans.

  5. Well, we have been reiterating on the prepayment process of a personal loan. But there are many borrowers out there who usually feel demotivated if they cannot prepay in the initial part of the tenure. For those who are suffering from this same feeling, it is usually suggested that don’t feel discouraged at all! If you cannot prepay in the first few years, don’t consider that you cannot do it in latter stages. No matter when you make the prepayment, you would always be able to avail some relief from the burgeoning interest rates. But note that the interest rates during the initial years are always on the higher side.

  6. In the context of prepayment of personal loans, there is another interesting thing that a borrower should always consider, i.e. part-payment. Well, part-payment of a personal loan is where you opt for a prepayment which is not equivalent to the full outstanding loan amount. However, note that it is a practical choice to opt for when you have opted for personal loan. There is also a straightforward relationship which exists between the amount you prepay and when you prepay it. Part-payment also helps to bring down the interest rate along with the principal amount. In this manner, the total interest rates drastically go down on the personal loan.

  7. Another significant advice to make the repayment a foremost priority is to pay the EMIs within the timeframe. It enhances the credibility with that specific bank. A hack tip is to schedule the day of EMI payment for the loan close to the due date. It would help to avoid default because of the presence of insufficient funds in the account. Skipping an EMI results in bad credibility with the bank, and for worse situations, a bank can mortgage a property during a long-term default. Experts always recommend using bonuses or proceeds for maturity regarding the pre-payment part of loans between time-spans.

  8. It is quite normal for individuals to opt for multiple personal loans at a single time. However, in case you have opted for multiple personal loans, always ensure that you repay the personal loan which has a high amount of interest. In these times of financial instability, it is always a great idea to repay that loan which has interest rates. On the other hand, the prepayment strategy differs from loan to loan and lender to lender. Thus, you have to assess the credibility of the lender while opting for a personal loan. My suggestion to you should be to go for prepayment.

  9. Several banks provide various kinds of loans. They possess a unique feature, such as the EMI calculator. It helps in understanding an estimate regarding the installments of home loans that one can pay every month. It would also depend on your expenses, income, and numerous other factors. Furthermore, it offers precise insights regarding interest rates and payment of EMI, alongside cash down-payment for a loan. One should choose home loans with precaution, as paying of EMI on time become a huge risk. If the principal amount is high, one should remember to choose a higher period to repay the loan. Or else, this would put enormous pressure on the borrower.

  10. Short term loans are typically given for a period of one year or even less than that. These are considered as one-time loans. These come in handy whenever you are not able to gain a loan from the bank for a long duration. In short term loans, the interest is paid on the principal advance amounts, and also the tenancy for the repayment is quite shorter rather than the other types of loans. These loans are made available to the businesses and customers, and private finance companies generally provide these. These loans are quite beneficial, and you have to weigh various options. These are akin to personal loans.

  11. Interest rates are considered as the most significant part of any loan. This is also a very smart move to comprehend the interest rates on the said loan early on, and also the other fees that the lender may charge. The fees would not lead to an upsurge in the interest rate, but it will be included in the monthly payments that you make. The choice to take any of the business loans does not come easy for any venture and even more so if it is a new venture. But sometimes this is really a necessity, and it cannot be avoided.

  12. The personal loans are extremely different in their features as you go from one lender to another. These loans also differ based on the country that you are staying in. The following are some of the features of short-term credits. You will be able to apply for these loans as a business or as an individual. The personal loans can be availed online as there is not much paperwork involved. Most of the lenders offer loans even to those with bad credit history. They are approved quickly and mostly need one or two days and not more than that time.

  13. The security of the loan depends upon the lender that you have chosen. The repayment period varies from one organization to the other. Generally, there is a repayment period of almost four to five months. For some lenders, the repayment period is like less than two months. Most of the people out there opt for private lenders when they look for short-term loans. There are certain recompenses of getting a small loan from private lenders. This has been given that individual organizations have a higher interest rate, but they also make getting the loan more manageable. So you see, a personal loan will have higher rate of interest but will be comparatively easier to obtain.

  14. In the current economic ecosystem, the alternative options for obtaining money are a good idea. In other words, it helps individuals to address their needs. One can find various alternatives, like borrowing money from relatives, pawning personal belongings, and opting for cash advances from relatives. However, the most suitable way of making your ends meet during adverse situations is the installment loan. It is interesting to note here that the installment loan is also known as a cash advance loan or the deferred deposit check loan. Hence, there is a growing curiosity about the prospects of an installment loan. People also want to know if it is the right solution for their situation.

  15. Note that a borrower usually secures the loan by post-dating the personal check for a specific quantity of money. These are loans which ensure that you can avail quick cash in a short period. These loans are beneficial for you when you need to cover an unexpected bill. Installment loans also come handy when there is an emergency, and you are short of cash. It is vital here to note that an installment loan is not a revolving line of credit. It is a short-term financial solution. It can range from thousands to as much as lakhs in some instances.

  16. Having the definite purpose is an imperative requisite for getting an online installment loan. This is of extreme implication to be clear as to your purpose for the loan. This can be anything from hiring new people, expanding the proper supplier network, investing in the latest technology, and so on. If a certain purpose does not get clear, the amount of loan can be wasted away on minor expenses that affect the progress of your companies. Examine-in detail if that loan is actually going to need to be given your present situation.This is quite important to have the proper plan, which increases the existing resources.

  17. One of the crucial aspects to note about short-term loans is that they must be repaid on time. It is so because if you do not repay them at the appropriate time, you end up paying penalty fees, which could surpass the loan amount. It can have severe implications on your financial situation. Hence, if you are opting for short-term loans, ensure that you can repay it at the desired time limit. Interestingly, the only primary requirement for an installment loan is your job. In other words, you need to be employed so that you can avail of an installment loan.

  18. A loan is one of the most appropriate financial solutions. It can help you to overcome the economic crisis in a short period. However, always ensure to repay them in the designated period. It is so because if you fail to repay them, you can face severe actions from the lending institution. Also, try to check the reputation of the lending institution before opting for an installment loan. It is also excellent for meeting your personal and highly specific needs for a loan. The inevitable fact is that online installment loans are quite simpler to get compared to long-term investments.

  19. The process of applying for short-term loans is quite easy. The short-term loans have made it much easier. Moreover, the online sites are making it even more hassle-free nowadays and you will only require a few minutes to complete. All you are going to require is government identity proof, validation of your social security number, checking account, verification of your income and that is more or less it. Via the online applications and websites, you will be guided by agents through the entire procedure. To find out more on such reputed, reliable and convenient sites, you may check out now the latest feature availabilities for short-term loans.

  20. Always opt for those loans which have fewer complicated repaying regulations. The monthly repayment amount for the loan is not that hefty and people can maintain a satisfactory credit score when paying off their loans. Also, the time length for repaying the loan is sixty months which is quite generous. The procedure is a complete online one that you can easily operate from the comfort of your home. Term loans have always led the choices of established business heads; however, currently, people see the benefits in the short-term loans or installment loans. It’s your time to add a smart edge to your way of investing now.

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