My family and I live in the south- like, the real south. Alabama to be specific. You have probably heard some jokes about a lot of things down here, but one thing everyone who lives here or has visited here in the summer agrees on is that summertime is hot. And it is extraordinarily humid. Air conditioners are a necessity, not a luxury. So are bags of ice and gallons of water.

My story:

Don’t get me wrong- the summers here can be awesome. Getting out on the river in your boat, riding jet skis, taking your kids to the community water splash pad, turning the water hoses on and soaking each other, or having water balloon or water gun fights are just some of the joys. However, try getting through the summers without some cool water to play in, it will be an uncomfortable misery like you have never known.

That is why two years ago, I splurged to by my family a decently sized pool. We had some other ways to get wet, but I longed to submerge myself in water. I ordered it online and we anxiously awaited the delivery. When it finally arrived, I was probably more excited than my kids.

Unfortunately, about two weeks prior to delivery, I had literally ripped a muscle apart in my back and was in the process of recuperating, so my husband refused to let me help move the box or set the pool up. And in a crazy turn of events, he slipped a disc in his back while moving the box. Here the two of us are limping around and unable to do anything more than stare at the pool just waiting to be assembled.

About a month later, we decided that we were recuperated enough to make another attempt at putting the thing together with the help of our teenage son. We get all of the parts laid out, suffer through the dreadful mosquito bites, and after hours of agony, we had it together. In went the hose pipe and we filled it up, then put all the necessary cleaning stuff in and, voila! We had our pool but we had to wait 24 hours for the chemicals to settle.

My dream:

I dreamed of that pool that night, and the kids and I were so excited that we wanted to jump in before even eating breakfast. So imagine my utter dismay when we awoke the next morning to find this huge pool empty. After all of the injury, pain and suffering, the crazy thing had a hole in it. And because we had taken it out of the box and put it together, the retailer would not exchange it.

I cannot begin to express the emotional anguish we all felt. For days, we sat around feeling angry, and hot, of course- very hot. We were so desperate to cool off that I nearly went to the very expensive pool place down the road and finance four times the cost of our original pool for these guys to deliver it AND set it up. I stopped myself just in time, but it did cause me to consider getting a pool loan, so I want to share what I learned about them.

What Exactly is a Pool Loan?

A pool loan is simply a personal loan for a pool. Personal loans can be used for virtually anything, and that includes pools. If you are considering a personal loan for a pool, there are a few things you should think about first.

What Kind of Pool Do I Want?

There are many different types of pools from little tiny baby pools to enormous in-ground pools, and those in-ground pools can be made very elaborately. So what kind are you looking to get? One factor when deciding this is estimating how long you think you will be at your current home, and whether or not you own that property.

While I would love to have nice in-ground pool, I plan to sell my house before too long and move into something better suited for my large family. Due to this, I would not have even considered an in-ground pool for my current home. If you are renting, do not invest in a permanent pool. Just get something to play around in for now.

You must also consider that in-ground pools are pretty expensive. You can get a pretty large above-ground pool for a few hundred dollars. Then again, I have seen some amazing videos on YouTube of people who have built their own very nice in-ground pools. If you have the skills and patience, you might be better off buying the supplies and doing it yourself. This is all really up to you but you should know what type you are willing to pay for before looking into pool loans.

Can I Afford to Repay a Pool Loan?

Be truthful with yourself. Can you afford another payment? If you are currently struggling to pay your utilities, or have nothing left over after you do, a pool loan is probably not a good idea. If you are willing to pick up a second job to pay for the loan, it might be okay. At the same time, though, if you are spending all of your time at work, will you even get to enjoy the pool? If not, you might consider taking that second job and saving up until the following summer, buy one outright, and then spend that whole summer enjoying your hard work while soaking up some rays.

Will It Interfere With Other Things?

So what stopped me from running down the road and financing that pool? I knew just how much that loan would hurt my family. We have certain goals, some of which include clearing up our credit and saving for a house, saving for our four children to go to college, buying a new car that runs right, buying our teenager a car before he graduates, and a few other things like those. We also want to put our children into some activities they have been asking to join, build my business, and just be free enough to grab a couple of pizzas once a month and enjoy a movie.

Had I gotten that loan, I would have put many of those goals on hold and most likely would have had to be away from my family even more to work extra. Weighing out the pros and cons, it just was not worth the consequences- as desperate and as sweaty as we were. Our other goals held much higher priority in our hearts.

What about you? Will getting a personal loan for a new pool interfere with anything else you are trying to do? If so, is it worth putting your other goals on hold? You should really think this through carefully before making a decision. For some people, a pool is a bigger priority, and that is okay. It may be the one way you can get all of your kids away from their tech without acting like they cannot live. You may want to have friends over more often. Maybe it is a way to improve your health. And it may just be something you want bad enough to put above other things at the moment. It is a personal choice but it should still be carefully thought through.

Is There Another Way to Pay for the Pool or Beat the Heat?

Even though we chose not to get a long, we were still sitting at home sweltering. It was so hot that we did not want to move, we just wanted to sleep all day. Inside our house was even worse than outside in the shade. Somehow, I had to get us and keep us cool.
One of the best things about growing up in the country, and without a lot of money, is how creative you learn to be. I remember wanting a Slip-N-Slide as a kid, but we could not afford it. What we did have was an old pool liner, a hose pipe, and a huge yard- all of which added up to a homemade water slide. We also had freezing cold creeks and summer rain.

I saw no reason not to get creative with my own kids. We, too, made a water slide and a small pool made from some wood and a tarp that I saw on Pinterest. We had water gun fights, ice fights, and water balloon fights. When it rained, we would play in it. We started working on a pool savings that we started funding through yard sales and a few car washes.

How about your situation?

Are there other ways to stay cool while you save for a pool? There are many gyms that have pools available for members. While this is an additional monthly charge, it is probably less than many pool loan payments, and there is the added benefit of exercise equipment and not worrying with the maintenance of the pool, which is costly in and of itself.

Maybe you know someone that has a pool, and you can exchange some yard work or pool cleaning for a swim a couple times a week. Do you have any rivers or creeks nearby? I will say that this is not my favorite option as I am quite germaphobic since having children, but my children still love it. About 30 minutes away is a man-made beach near the local dam. I took my children once, and they have begged to go back ever since. If you are unsure of activities or places, social media will likely have some answers for you.

Is a Pool Loan a Good Idea for Me?

After considering all of the following factors, you must decide if you want to get a personal loan for a pool. Only you can decide if a pool loan is a good idea for you. If you feel you might be too hot and desperate to make a good decision, talk it out with a friend or coworker. Or go old school and write out a pros and cons list- those still work very well. If you choose not to get a pool loan, make a savings plan and find an alternative means of staying cool. For those who decide to get a personal loan for a pool, keep reading for some additional information and tips.

How Do I Know If I Will Qualify for a Pool Loan?

Though it is not possible to know for certain if you will be approved for a personal loan for a pool  until you actually get approved, you can use a loan checker to determine whether or not you are eligible for a personal loan. There are, of course, certain things that lenders look for before approving you. One of the biggest factors is whether or not you can afford to repay the loan. By looking at your income and your outgoing, they get a good idea of your ability to pay. Most will also look into your credit history to get an idea of how responsible you are with debt.

While requirements will often vary from lender to lender, be prepared when you apply for a personal loan for a pool with your personal and income information. You might also consider having some collateral in mind just in case you can only qualify for a secured loan. Using a personal loan checker can usually give you a good idea of what you might qualify for and, most likely, lenders that might approve you. It might also tell you what kind of interest you are looking at paying. Again, until you are approved and your lender tells you the terms and interest, there is no certainty. However, using a loan eligibility checker can give you some information to work with.

Where to Get a Loan and What Type of Personal Loan for a Pool to Consider

For those who have applied for a loan before, you are aware of the overwhelming number of loans that are available as well as the vast amount of loan places both online and offline. For those who are unaware, brace yourself. It is what is known as a saturated market. However, even with all of the loans and lenders available, it is still a very useful market because almost everyone has needed some type of financial help before. The key is in finding the best loan and lender for you. First read the entire article so you would get an idea what you’re looking for. Then, you can get back here and take a look at the form below. If you fill it out, Loanry connects you with reputable lenders and you can get offers within seconds.

The more you know about them before shopping for a pool loan, the better, so let’s learn a little. As far as a personal loan for a pool, there are really only a couple that make sense. Here is why: some charge high interest and need to be paid back quickly while others charge lower interest and give you a longer repayment period. Here’s the breakdown:

Not Ideal for Large Purchases

Title Loans:

Let me speak openly here- title loans should be a last resort in case of emergency. It makes no sense to use them for large purchases. You put your vehicle title up as collateral. Logically speaking, your interest level should be pretty low since the lender is assuming so little risk. However, that is not the case. The interest I have seen is anywhere from 25% to 36%. That is huge- hundreds in interest a month. So, it is unwise to take out such a high interest loan for something like a pool when you will likely end up paying four times more for the pool at least by the time you are through paying it off. Unless you are getting something big like a tax refund check in the next few weeks, this is not a good option.

Payday Loans:

Payday loans are basically the same as title loans in terms of cost, but you usually do not get as big of a loan. In fact, most people do not get enough on the first loan to pay for more than one of those small easy-set pools. And by the time you pay the interest on the payday loan two times, you could have paid for that same pool outright. This is also not ideal for a personal loan for a new pool.

Secured Loans with High Cash Collateral:

Secured loans can be okay as a personal loan for a new pool, but not if you have to deposit the same amount that the pool costs. What I mean by this is that some secured loans and secured credit cards require you to put down a cash deposit. At times, it is a small percentage of the loan amount. However, for some with low or no credit, they require the full loan as a cash deposit. If you want to build your credit while buying the pool, this might be a good option. However, let me point out the fact that if you can afford to deposit the full amount of the loan, you do not need the loan to pay for the pool.

More Ideal for Large Purchases

Personal Installment Loans for Good Credit:

I may sound biased- and I might be a little bit- but I believe that installment loans with good credit are the best option when looking for a personal loan for a pool, and just about everything else. That is because the interest and payments tend to be much lower- some even below 10%- and repayment terms are often very doable. I advise looking into these first if you qualify.

Personal Line of Credit:

A personal line of credit is similar to a personal loan online in that a line of credit is often much more favorable than other high interest loans, credit cards and title loans. The differences a line of credit and a personal loan usually has fixed interest while a line of credit has variable interest, and a line of credit is revolving while a personal installment loan is not. Still, with a personal line of credit, you can take the amount you need out and make smaller payments than with a high interest personal loan for a pool.

Secured Loans with Low or No Cash Collateral:

I spoke a moment ago of secured loans that require high deposits. Now, let’s talk about those that do not. There are secured loans that require a small portion of the amount of the loan as a deposit. For instance, a $500 secured loan might require as low as a $25 deposit. This would be helpful as a personal loan for a new pool since you are receiving more than you are depositing. Also, some require no cash deposit but another form of collateral, like a piece of property. This would also be helpful as you are putting down no cash at all.

Retailer Financing:

In some cases, the retailer selling you the pool with provide financing. This is just a personal loan for a pool through that retailers credit partners. While not always, this can be the best way to go sometimes if you catch the promotions. During sales, they offer things like “0% Interest for 24 Months” or something similar. I have seen 0% interest for up to five years. If you can qualify for this financing, you can make a plan to pay off your new pool during the no interest time and save a ton of money.

Where to Find a Personal Loan for a Pool

All of the aforementioned loans can be found both online and offline, even the retailer financing. While everyone has their preference, I would much rather apply online. I do not have to leave home to do it and through platforms like Loanry, I can search multiple lenders at once. Trust me when I say that this is much simpler than doing so in person or one at a time. However, if I had a good relationship with a credit union, I would also consider applying there since they usually charge lower interest than many lenders and have favorable repayment terms. The choice is yours but the more time you can save yourself, the better- at least in my opinion.

What to Do Next

Many people I know who get a personal loan go through all that they need to get approved, purchase or pay the item they got the loan for. And more often than not they forget that the loan will be coming due. Suddenly, they are struggling to pay a payment that should not be a surprise at all. Let’s try to prevent that with you. If you get a personal loan for a pool, take the following steps to stay on top of it:

• Be sure that you know and understand your payment, payment date, interest rate, whether there are any early payoff penalties, and who to contact in case the worst happens.
• Write the payment date on a visible calendar and add an alarm on your phone so there is no way it sneaks up on you.
• Budget the payment in. Do not think that it will magically take care of itself because it will not. Add the payment to your budget and figure out if you need any extra cash to make the monthly payment. If so, start working on that quickly.

One more thing: enjoy your new pool.

Yes, you need to pay for it but, honestly, if you are not enjoying it, what is the use of being in debt for it. My biggest rule when it comes to debt is that I am not going into debt for something that I or my loved ones will not benefit from. Enjoy it as often as you can, especially if your summers are short. In Alabama, we can usually get away with swimming from the end of April until sometimes November. One year, I was sweating on Christmas Eve (it’s very strange weather around here). However, some people do not have that many warm days, so swim as much as you can.

Conclusion

In the end, a pool loan is just like any other personal loan. You borrow the money and you have to pay it back. If you do not, it can mess up your credit that you will likely need again in the future. One way to do this is to personal loan shop for a new pool. Look for the lowest interest rate and best repayment period you qualify for. Then, be responsible and diligent in making your payments.

There comes a time in everyone’s life when he or she needs a little extra money. It could be because you want to make a big purchase for a house or car. It may be because some unexpected emergencies occurred and you need money fast. No matter the reason, it will happen to you at some point. You are going to need a loan. As with anything, there is a good way to go about getting a loan. There is also a terrible way to do it. I am an advocate of doing things the smart way. That involves learning as much as you can about the process so you can make sound decisions.

What is an Origination Fee and How it Impact Personal Loan

Lenders are not always the best at explaining all the little details. Details like fees, such as a personal loan origination fee are often hidden in the fine print.

A personal loan origination fee is a combination of several different fees. Really this makes things easier for the lender. They hit you with this one fee that is some percentage of your loan, perhaps 10 percent, to cover all of their administrative costs like filing the application, running a credit check, and sending the money to your bank account. Continue reading to find out more details about personal loans, including a personal loan origination fee and where to get a personal loan.

Origination fees are often just a percentage of the loan amount and in most cases is somewhere between 1% and 8% on typical personal loans in the United States.

Smart Money Tip!

Your origination fee could be determined by total amount of the loan, your credit profile and how long the loan term is, the purpose of the loan and even if you have a co-signer. It depends on the lender. As you shop lenders, it’s critical you ask them about origination and other fees. Most likely they won’t negotiate and if you don’t like the deal don’t be afraid to walk away.

What Fees Are Associated With A Personal Loan?

Every loan has fees. You just cannot avoid it. You should, however, know what they are and try to minimize them as much as you can. Whenever possible avoid an application fee. Some lenders charge you just to fill out the application. You pay this whether you are approved or not. You must pay this fee out of pocket. It is usually a small fee, less than $50. For me, it is the principle of the matter. A lender charging this fee is just looking to get some quick money out of you. Avoid it whenever you can. Most other fees you cannot negotiate.

Remember the personal loan origination fee from earlier in this article? Usually, this is an application fee and administrative fees rolled into one. This fee is for the cost of the application, running a credit check and handling all the administrative pieces of your loan. This fee does not come out of your pocket. It comes off the top of your loan. What this means for you is, if you ask for a $5000 loan and the lender charges a 10 percent personal loan origination fee, that means the lender is taking $500 off the top of your loan. You only see $4500 of the loan right from the start.

What Is The Process For A Personal Loan?

The process for a personal loan may seem daunting. It is not as bad as it may seem, once you understand the personal loan process. The first step is knowing why you want the loan. This guides what type of loan you need. For example, if you want to consolidate debt, you would not apply for a mortgage. Then you should do a little bit of research to find loan places that meet your needs. You want a loan that fits your budget and has an acceptable interest rate. When you have decided where to apply for your loan, be sure to take a look at the fees, including the personal loan origination fee.

Once you have done that, now it is time to apply for the loan. Depending on your lender, you may be able to apply online. Either way, you must answer a list of questions, including income, rent/mortgage payments, and identifying information such as name, address, and social security number. Depending on the lender, they may ask more detailed questions. You will have to provide documentation for proof of income and a picture ID. The lender does a credit check. You agree to that as part of your application. Then, you wait for the decision.

Other Loan Phrases I Should Know

When you are applying for a loan, you should read all the documents carefully. I know many people do not because it is full of a bunch of words most people do not know. I’m going to help you out by defining some loan related terms here for you. I talked about a personal loan origination fee above and that is a big one that you should understand.

An unsecured loan does not have any type of collateral attached to it. These loans a riskier for the lender and typically have a higher interest rate.

A secured loan has collateral attached to it and are less risky for the lender. These loans have lower interest rates.

Collateral is a tangible asset that you attach to your loan. You are promising to pay the loan, or you will give up the asset to the lender. Your car is considered collateral in an auto loan, the same is true for your house and a mortgage.

Default is when you do not pay the loan as promised.

Interest is basically what the lender charges you to allow you to borrow money. The interest has an annual percentage rate (APR) which you pay for the life of the loan. The lender has some flexibility in what they charge you in interest. The lower your credit score is, the higher your interest rate.

What Else Should I Know About A Personal Loan?

I have briefly touched on interest above, but I would like to bring it up once more. I want to make sure that you have a full understanding of the impact of your interest rate on your loan. Also, I am going to use an example to highlight how interest impacts your payment. This is purely an example, these numbers are not accurate. You want to borrow $4,000 and you need $4,000, but you know the lender has a personal loan origination fee of 10 percent. That means borrowing $4,000, you only get $3,600. Now, you need to borrow $4,500, which means after the 10 percent personal loan origination fee, you get $4,050.

Let’s see what interest does to that $4,500. You have pretty good credit, so your interest rate is 10 percent. That means you are paying $450 on top of the $4,500. Now, your total loan amount become $4,950. Remember you only wanted to borrow $4,000. Let’s see how that breaks down per month. You only want a loan for 36 months. That means your monthly payment is $137.50.

Let’s see how that changes when your credit falls into the bad zone. You have bad credit, so your interest rate is 20 percent. You are borrowing $4,500, so your interest amount is $900. Now, your total loan amount becomes $5,400. Over 36 months you end up paying $150. Your payment has now increased by a little over $20 per month. That may not seem like a lot of money to you, but for some people it is significant.

The Ugly Side Of Personal Loans

Often times when you are looking for a personal loan, you are in a position where you need the money. This can be a scary place, especially if you do not know much about the loan process. Think about it, you are desperate for the cash and you take the first loan you can get. Most likely, you will fall into a personal loan trap. Loan traps can take the shape of many different things. It can mean ridiculously high interest payments. It might mean an astronomical personal loan origination fee.

The better credit you have, the lower the interest rate. With a bad credit score, you may not qualify for an unsecured loan and may need a secured loan or co-signer.https://t.co/byWXDhqMxq pic.twitter.com/xw85udYLTa

— Loanry.com | Loan Shop ? (@LoanryStore) July 13, 2019

Keep in mind, there are many people out there preying on those in vulnerable situations. They are looking to scam you. If you make a quick decision without thinking it through, you might get caught up in a scam. You need to be aware of the lender you are using. Use a personal loan checker to make sure you are getting best deal. Read all of the fine print to understand their fees and interest. You should not jump into a personal loan without knowing all the information.

My Credit Score Scares Me

Does your credit score scare you because you do not know what it is? Perhaps you do not understand it and find it scary. A typical credit score range from 350 to 850. Most people have a credit score somewhere between 600 to 750. Good credit falls somewhere between 670 to 800. Anything below 570 falls into the danger zone of bad credit. When you have bad credit, it is much harder to get a good interest rate. You may also find that you have a higher personal loan origination fee and it is difficult to be approved for a loan.

You should pull your credit report and look at your credit score once a year. This helps you remain in control of it. You can also check it for errors, so you can address them. If you do not know your credit score, you cannot do anything to improve it.

How Can I Fix It?

The good news is, you can always work to improve your credit score. I will not lie to you, it takes hard consistent work, but it is possible. You must be focused on the goal of repairing your credit. Start by creating a positive payment history. That means you need to be sure to pay all your bills in full and on time. Obtaining a personal loan may help you to improve your credit because it allows you to work on a positive payment history. You may have to shop around for a loan that meets your budgetary needs. You also want to make sure you are hit with a high personal loan origination fee.

I’m Not Sure I Can Afford A Personal Loan

This is the first question you must answer for yourself. Only you can decide if you can afford a personal loan in your budget. You need to look at your budget and determine how much money you can pay in a monthly loan. If there is not extra money, stop there. You cannot afford a loan and should not even consider one. Doing so only puts you in a terrible financial position. If you think you can afford a loan, be realistic in what you can afford to pay each month. When you think about how much you want to borrow consider the personal loan origination fee and interest rates in your calculation.

I Am Terrible At Budgeting

Creating a budget for yourself is key in controlling your finances. Sometimes, when I talk about budgeting, I swear I can hear people groan. No one ever wants to put themselves on a budget. If you think about it, there is not other way to control your spending and make sure you have money for all of the things you need, and some of the things you want. You need to make it a habit and then it gets easier. There are so many budget apps and websites available for free. It is silly for you not to use one to put yourself in a better place.

Budgeting Basics Spelled Out: Budgets 101 https://t.co/dUQaL9VZtX #budgeting #budgets #budgettools @everydollar

— Loanry.com | Loan Shop ? (@LoanryStore) July 25, 2019

How Can I Save Money?

Saving money may not seem like a viable option for you. It is hard, especially when you feel like your money is already spent before you earn it. There are many ways to save money. However, it takes practice and it means giving up some things. You can think of it as a temporary solution until you have some breathing room with your finances. Take a look around your house and see if you have items you can sell. This is a quick way to make money and clean your house of clutter. Consider getting a part-time job to earn some extra cash.

Take a look at your spending and cut out those daily coffee stops, or lunches out. Limit your meals out to once a week so that they become special events and not everyday occurrences. Consider getting rid of your tv for a few months. You can save a lot of money and invest that time into doing something more meaningful.

Are There Any Other Options To A Personal Loan?

There are many alternatives to a personal loan from a traditional lender. You could consider borrowing money from family or friends. This eliminates the extra money spent on a personal loan origination fee and interest. Instead of borrowing money at all, you can save money for the items you need, or want. This prevents you from having to borrow any money at all. That way you would not have to take on any more debt.

Conclusion

The most important thing you should take away from this post is the fees associated with a personal loan. You need to pay attention to things like the personal loan origination fee and interest rates. These things add on to the amount of money you borrow. If you are aware of them, you can do some research for the best rates.