We all fantasize about days spent relaxing in the sun with sand between our toes. Perhaps you could go skiing in the Alps or sightseeing in Europe. Perhaps you require a trip due to a family emergency, wedding, or burial. Whatever the location, getting away from work, traffic, unpleasant neighbors, and everyday life sounds wonderful. If only holidays were less expensive. Travel financing might be difficult, but a travel loan with negative credit is doable.
Vacation Loans for People with Bad Credit
With terrible credit, you won’t be able to stroll into any old bank and acquire a vacation loan. The only exception is if you can bring a co-signer with you. Some credit unions may be more accommodating and willing to work with you. Another alternative is to look for a lender online. The simplest approach to getting a travel loan with negative credit is through an internet lender. However, you must be extremely attentive in your investigation.
Know that the interest rate will be high and know that there will be a lot of fine print. Make sure you read and understand all of the terms. This vacation loan with bad credit needs to be taken seriously. If you can do a good job of making payments on time, it can help your credit. If you are unable to pay on time, it can further hurt your credit. There is much to consider when it comes to vacation loans and bad credit. One question you need to ask yourself is should I be taking out a loan for this?
Average Cost of a Vacation
It is tricky to come up with a one size fits all number for the average cost of a vacation. There are many factors to take into consideration when it comes to travel finance with bad credit. Will you be going to Spain or Grandma’s house in Wisconsin? Will it be Disney Land or a state park that is three hours away? According to a survey done by American Express, the average family spends $1,145 per person for a vacation. That comes out to $4,580 for a four-person family. That is a good chunk of change!
Calculating the cost of a vacation is not as simple as figuring out how much it costs to get somewhere. There are accommodations, rental cars, dining costs, and fees for activities. Plus there is the cost of having someone watch your dog or check on your pet goldfish. Don’t forget the additional fees and taxes. When that airfare pops up on the screen after a search, don’t be fooled! The fees and taxes will add up and make the rate even higher. These costs can be especially frightening if you have bad credit and need a loan to take a vacation.
What is Considered Bad Credit?
Your credit score comes in somewhere between 0 and 850. Above 700 is pretty good and between 650 and 700 is fair. A score below 650 is considered bad and a score under 560 is very bad. You are in pretty good shape for getting a loan with good or fair credit. Most lenders will see a score that is bad as high risk. Yet there is surely a place out there that will take on that risk. It might just take a little more shopping around.
Late payments are usually the cause of low credit. Bad credit makes it tough to get a big loan for a home or car. It can also be tricky to get an apartment. Yet, how can you ever get back on the right track if you can’t rebuild your credit score? There are a few options out there for vacation loans with bad credit that usually work well. These are short-term loans, secured credit cards, and small personal loans. Luckily, types of loans with bad credit can work out perfectly for travel finance.
Should You Take out a Vacation Loan with Bad Credit?
There are many services out there to help with a vacation loan with bad credit. There are many more options than just credit cards like the old days. Paying for travel in installments can certainly help ease the burden of the cost. There are instances where a vacation loan with bad credit can save you money. For example, say you know you need to take a trip three months from now.
Chances are, the airfare is much cheaper by buying it this far in advance. Therefore, it might make sense to take out a loan or find a service that allows you to pay in installments. You may end up paying less than if you saved up your money and waited until the last minute to buy your ticket.
Just keep in mind that no matter what, you will end up paying more than if you had cash. The fees and interest will cost you extra money. So, you have to ask yourself if it is worth it. Think about the pros and cons. Could it cost less by purchasing the ticket now instead of waiting? Could paying off this loan on time help my credit score? Should I be spending this money that I do not have? Should I save my money for a while and go next year instead?
How to Get a Vacation Loan with Bad Credit
Vacations are a great use of our time and money. They relieve stress, help us to learn more about our beautiful world, and provide lasting memories. Experiences are better than stuff, right? We do not need more things crammed into our houses. Give the gift of making memories. It is sometimes just a little tricky to figure out travel finance with bad credit.
You have done everything you could think of…even cut out the morning latte, started walking the neighbor’s dog, and canceled cable. You have been watching for a deal on airfare, will stay at a hostel, and are going to live on sandwiches. However, you still do not quite have enough money to make this vacation happen.
This is when you look into a travel loan with bad credit. It’s just a personal loan for travel, but it is money that you can use for travel. The process is pretty simple. There are many lenders online that will work with varying credit scores. Just be sure to do very extensive research on the terms. Know what you are agreeing to before you go through with a personal loan.
You Will Have to Provide Some Information
They will need some information from you, like your income, name, address, and phone number. Once you have answered all of the questions and submitted the form, they will let you know if you have been approved. If you are approved, the money will show up in your bank account pretty quickly. You can then continue planning your vacation and be thankful for vacation loans and bad credit.
Just don’t get too caught up in your vacation plans that you forget about paying back the loan. Repay the loan as quickly as possible. This is very important for improving your credit score.
How to Save for a Vacation with Bad Credit
Start a Vacation Fund
Stop buying coffee on the way to work and make it at home. Cancel cable for a few months until your trip. Stop eating lunch out and take a sandwich. Go a few months without a manicure or pedicure. Stop going to the movies. Look for free days at the zoo, go hiking, or participate in other free activities. Lower your utility bills by turning down the heat and turning off the lights. Take five-minute showers and only wash a full load of laundry. Buy generic products at the store instead of the name brand.
Smart Money Tip!
Cancel that gym membership you never use. Find someone to carpool with or use public transportation. Consider getting a roommate. Housing costs make up a huge part of our budgets. These small changes will add up! Put any travel money saved into your travel finance fund.
Get a Part-Time Job
Deliver food or groceries, babysit a few evenings a week, or do some handyman work. Walk your neighbor’s dog, tutor, or drive for a ride-sharing service. There are many opportunities to make a little extra money these days. Doing this for a few months to save up for a vacation can be worth it.
How to Plan a Vacation with Bad Credit
In addition to saving extra money, there are many ways to cut costs on the actual vacation. Take the time to plan everything out carefully. This will make your money go further. When money goes further, you can make more out of your vacation. Our time off is limited, do everything you can to make the most of it. Cutting vacation costs should mean needing to borrow a lower amount of money or maybe none at all. Utilize these tips to help plan an affordable vacation as inexpensively as possible.