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Although getting a loan can help you get out of immediate financial danger or help you to buy something that you need, there are reasons why getting a loan can be a bad idea as well. If you are not careful, then getting a loan could be the worst thing for you. Here are some reasons why getting a loan can be a bad idea:

Loans as a last resort

It is a bad idea to get a loan if it is the only source of funding that you have available to you. If you are already in debt from your credit cards and overdraft and have nowhere else to turn to for money, then getting a loan is not for you. If you get a loan as a last resort you will put yourself in more financial difficulty and you may not be able to keep up with the repayments.

Buying something you want

Loans are for necessity only, or for situations where they can benefit you financially. Getting a loan out for a purchase that you really want but cannot afford is a bad idea. Loans should be used for essential items only, and not for the clothes or electrical equipment that you have set your heart on having but cannot buy right now.

You want to buy property

If you want to buy a property but your mortgage lender will not lend you any more money, you might be tempted to get a loan to cover the deposit. This is a bad idea, because you will be borrowing more money than the house is worth. Mortgage lenders are often accused of being too generous anyway, so borrowing more than they can offer is an unwise move.

You have seen an unbeatable deal

If you are thinking of getting a loan because the advert that came through your door today offers an amazing rate that seems unbeatable, then take a step back to think about what you are doing. If a loan deal seems too good to be true, then it usually is. The rates advertised very rarely reflect the typical rate you can receive, and there may be hidden charges that are not mentioned. If you are only getting the loan because of the deal, then perhaps getting a loan is not right for you.

Why should you get a loan?

Of course, there are lots of good reasons for getting a loan as well, including:

' You need to buy something but cannot afford the amount in one payment
' You know you can afford to make the repayments on the loan
' You want to consolidate your debts and have budgeted for the loan
' You need a bridging loan for property
' You want to buy a car but do not want to use hire purchase

If you think that you are getting a loan for the right reasons, then things should work out for you. However, you should think carefully before you take out the loan, and if your reasons are poor then you should look at reducing your spending rather than increasing your debt.