The COVID-19 pandemic has not only posed a big question mark on health and well-being, but it has also affected our economy in never-before ways. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that both individuals and businesses are trying to survive this crisis by taking loans to fund emergency needs and keep the cash flow positive. However, availing a loan without focusing on the EMI can be the perfect recipe for a financial disaster. After all, unless you pay back EMIs punctually and steadily, your credit score might be affected.
Hence, find out how EMIs are calculated, what benefits they offer and how you can manage them wisely during these challenging times.
Every loan works on the basic principle of monthly interest payments till the loan is repaid. It is no different for EMIs as every deduction pays off a certain principal and interest amount. The EMI depends upon the loan amount, the interest charged and the loan duration.
In the initial stage of EMI payments, the component of interest amount is higher than the principal. But as the EMIs continue, the principal component becomes larger and the interest component becomes smaller. The amount of repayment is equal every month, so only one fixed amount of payment is allowed to be paid normally.
The amount of EMI can be easily calculated using an online EMI calculator. Based on your needs as well as the ability to pay, you can modify the loan duration to know how much EMI would have to be paid in each case and then make a decision.
Also Read: Tips To Effectively Manage Your EMI
Through EMIs, you can afford high-value items like cars, which would otherwise require a long time to save up.
Immediate needs can be fulfilled with convenient EMIs, which can be paid from your salary account. This makes the EMIs a good option for managing expenses.
Rather than spending a huge amount from your savings in one go, it is easier to pay off smaller and regular amounts from the monthly salary received, which makes it easier on your wallet.
You can choose the EMI amount based on the loan duration, to suit your needs. This makes it a comfortable and flexible option to meet requirements.
Nowadays, many user-friendly schemes of no-cost EMIs are provided to customers, which help in reducing the burden of paying a huge amount upfront. The interest cost is discounted in such schemes. But usually, a processing fee is involved, so, you must read all terms and conditions carefully before opting for such loans.
Also Read: Missed Your Last Few EMIs? Here Is What to Do Next
One of the most important aspects that you need to keep in mind while opting for a loan is to never miss an EMI. It is considered a breach of faith and affects your credit score negatively. During the peak of the pandemic, when timely repayment of EMI was difficult, the RBI extended a helping hand with the EMI moratorium facility. The meaning of moratorium period in personal loan refers to a temporary pause allowed on EMIs without affecting the borrower’s credit history. Under this, a borrower could choose to not pay their EMI till August 31, 2020. However, the moratorium doesn’t imply that the interest for the three months is foregone. It was only an option to defer their loan payments until August, without worrying about your credit score.
Also Read: Understand Your EMI: Equated Monthly Installment
Many people deal with more than one loan at a time, be it a home loan, car loan, personal loan etc. Managing EMIs of all the loans together may get a little tricky though. Therefore, here are some pointers on how to manage these well.
Planning for EMIs begins long before you apply for a loan. You can find countless financial institutions in the market. But choosing the best among them is important. And for that, you will need to devote sufficient time to researching your options. Compare the qualifying requirements of multiple lenders to see who best suits your profile. Remember, interest rates and other components are determined by how well you match the lender's qualifying criteria.
While applying for a loan, carefully evaluate all options and calculate EMIs in each scenario to gauge which one will suit you best in terms of least interest payment and best affordability. You may take a help of a loan EMI calculator for this.
Use scenario analysis to carefully forecast your cash flows and avoid any pressure in the future regarding timely payments of your EMIs.
There are times when you may have extra cash in hand. Use the same to prepay your high-interest loans in case the lender is not charging a prepayment fee. Repayment of the principal amount in the initial years can lower the interest burden.
The best way to manage your EMI while also saving on interest payments is to use windfall profits. Windfall gains refer to sudden and unexpected income from different sources such as lottery winnings, profits from stock market trading, and more.
Make a list of all of your monthly expenses and cross off any that are truly unneeded. You may avoid eating food in restaurants daily, cut down on your lavish shopping habits, and limit your weekend outings to unexplored nearby sites. Saving on these minor things will allow you to better manage your EMI.
If you have received any payouts from your previous investments, use them wisely. If you don't intend to utilise the investment funds soon, you can use them to pay off a large portion of your loan EMI and save money on interest. Furthermore, if you have earned any kind of appraisal or bonus at work, you might set aside a portion of it for debt repayment.
Maintain your credit score and avoid unnecessary penalties by paying your EMIs on time. To manage this better, maintain a contingency fund in case your cash inflows get stuck in unexpected places.
If you stick to the lender's EMI process, you can enjoy various benefits.
EMIs are a good way to manage large expenses, but they come at a cost. One has to be diligent and careful to never miss an EMI payment. The longer the duration of a loan, the smaller the EMI, but the larger is the interest cost that you have to bear. However, with meticulous planning and proper budgeting, one can pay off the loan regularly and conveniently through EMIs.
Disclaimer: This post was first published on 3 July 2020 and has been updated for the latest information, freshness and accuracy.
Hero Fincorp offers a wide range of financial products including Personal Loans for personal needs, Business Loans to support business growth, Used Car Loans for purchasing pre-owned vehicles, Two-Wheeler Loans for bike financing, and Loan Against Property for leveraging real estate assets. We provide tailored solutions with quick processing, minimal paperwork, and flexible repayment options for smooth and convenient borrowing experience.