If you are going to be borrowing anything from anyone for any reason, you need to know the top 9 rules of borrowing. It is important to make sure that you are going to keep your end of the deal, or risk having something damage your credit. After all, your credit can only go so far and if you are going to be borrowing anything and anyone, you need to know that you have done everything in your power to make sure that you are going to be able to keep your end of the deal. If you don't, you might find yourself having problems with your finances for a long time to come. Here are the nine top rules for borrowing anything from anyone.
Don't borrow more than you absolutely have to. The last thing that you want to do is get into a situation where you have used all of your available credit and still haven't paid for it. This is going to put a lot of stress on your credit, and it is not something that you should have to deal with. Make sure that you only borrow what you absolutely need to. Don't stretch your credit just to make yourself feel better.
When borrowing anything from anyone, you need to make sure that you aren't going to do so via a credit card. Whenever you are using a credit card, it means that you are opening yourself up to a whole new world of financial responsibility. Remember that the credit card is not a form of borrowing; it is a form of debt.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should only use your credit cards when absolutely necessary. Don't take them out for impulse buying things that you might not necessarily need. There is no reason to make credit card payments when you aren't going to be making them. Keep in mind that this means using credit wisely, so that you are never in debt.
Also, avoid borrowing from anyone who charges exorbitant interest rates. If the rate they charge is more than twice of what a credit card company would charge, then don't even think about dealing with them. Credit cards are for emergencies and small purchases only. If you're ever unsure of whether or not you should borrow from someone, you should refrain from doing so.
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when borrowing money is skipping the fact that you have to pay it back. It doesn't matter if you are paying through cash or by check. You are still borrowing money and you are going to have to pay it back. Make sure that you always know what your payment will be, and that you make those payments on time. You might find that you don't have to pay back half of your loan, but at least you can breathe a little easier knowing that you have made some progress toward paying it off.
You should also make sure that you don't borrow too much money at once. Never borrow more than you need, and only take out loans that you can actually repay. For example, never take out an entire year's worth of clothes unless you're going to wear them six months out of the year. Taking out a year's worth of clothes can be very expensive, so only take out what you absolutely need.
Finally, it's always best to make sure that you read your contract carefully. Many times, people end up borrowing something because they didn't read the fine print. They didn't read the terms and conditions of the loan, which will often detail any fees or interest rates that may be charged. If you aren't sure about anything in the contract, always ask before signing it. It's better to be safe than sorry.