Debt

There are many different types of debt in life, and not all debt is the same. Some debt can be smart investments, such as student loans or home equity loans. These debts can yield greater financial returns in the future. However, non-investment debt, such as consumer loans and credit card debt, is often a financial burden in both the short and long term, and needs to be managed carefully.

No matter how much debt you have, it is important to have a clear plan for paying it off. As interest rates increase over time, the amount you have to pay can quickly become out of control. Therefore, when dealing with debt, it is best to pay it off as quickly as possible.

1. The Power of Paying Off Debt Early

A simple example of how to pay off debt quickly is to apply the Power of 50 financial formula. Suppose you have a debt of 100 million VND with an interest rate of 18% per year. If you only pay 60,000 VND per month, it will take you 8 years to pay off the debt, and you will end up paying a total of 176 million VND, almost double the original amount.

However, if you pay an additional 50,000 VND per month, you will pay off the debt in just 3 years, saving you more than 1,800 million VND in interest. This proves that paying off debt early saves you a lot of interest in the long run.

2. The 28/36 Rule – Managing Debt and Income

In Vietnam, banks and credit institutions have rules to help manage debt properly. A common rule in mortgage lending is the 28/36 Rule, which states that housing payments should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income, while total debt, including housing, utilities, credit cards, and other loans, should not exceed 36% of your monthly income.

However, in some cases, loans from banks or financial institutions may allow for a higher debt-to-income ratio, but you should note that the higher the ratio, the greater the risk of financial stress.

3. Popular types of loans in Vietnam

In Vietnam, there are many popular types of loans suitable for different financial purposes:

  • Student loans: Often used to cover tuition and living expenses for students. Banks such as Vietcombank, VietinBank offer student loans with preferential interest rates and flexible repayment periods.
  • Mortgage loans: Mainly used to buy houses or land. Banks such as BIDV, VietinBank, and Sacombank offer home loans with interest rates ranging from 7% to 10% depending on the floating or fixed interest rate.
  • Car loans: Banks and financial companies such as Techcombank, VPBank, FE Credit offer car loans with reasonable interest rates and flexible loan terms.
  • Personal loans: This type of loan is unsecured and is used for a variety of purposes, from paying off credit cards to personal consumption. The interest rate of this loan usually ranges from 15% to 25% depending on the lending institution.
  • Peer-to-Peer Lending: This lending service is through online platforms, allowing individuals to borrow and lend without going through a bank intermediary. This is a potential form of borrowing but needs to be cautious due to the lack of protection and control like traditional loans.

Debt management and spending management are important factors in achieving personal financial stability. By clearly identifying debts, applying smart debt repayment strategies, and managing debt properly according to rules such as 28/36, you will not only reduce your financial burden but also help build a stable and sustainable financial foundation.

Start today to better manage your finances, avoid debt and achieve your future financial goals.

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