Money guides
Read about loan costs, application documents, credit reports and repayment problems. Choose a topic below.
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Calculate repaymentsAmount, fees and every payment
Plan your monthly budgetA private, printable plannerUnderstand the cost
Follow every rand from the amount borrowed to the final repayment.
Understanding costs / 5 min readThe full cost of a loan, explained
Look past the amount you receive. Here is how to read interest, fees and the total repayment together.
Understanding costs / 4 min readOne, two or three months: compare the cost
A longer term can reduce each payment while increasing the total. Compare the same R1 500 loan over all three Lendeka terms.
Understanding costs / 4 min readLoan words, explained in plain language
A short glossary for reading a quotation, repayment schedule or account statement. Each term points to the part of the decision it affects.
Before you borrow
Check the budget, prepare the information and read the offer at your own pace.
Making a decision / 5 min readHow to compare two loan offers fairly
Match the amount, term and payment dates before deciding which offer costs less.
Getting ready / 4 min readDocuments to prepare for a loan application
A clear set of current documents makes it easier to answer verification questions safely.
Getting ready / 4 min readCan a loan repayment fit your budget?
Affordability starts with what remains after essential expenses and existing debts. A salary or a credit score alone cannot answer that question.
Getting ready / 4 min readRead your credit report and query an error
Check the accounts and payment information behind the score. An error should be queried with the bureau that holds the record.
Making a decision / 4 min readCheck the loan quotation before you accept
A calculator shows an estimate. Your pre-agreement statement and quotation should explain the actual commitment you are being asked to accept.
Making a decision / 3 min readBefore borrowing: other ways to approach an expense
A short-term loan is one possible response to a cost. First check whether the amount, timing or payment arrangement can change.
Repay and protect yourself
Understand payment requests, get organised if plans change and check who you are dealing with.
Repaying / 4 min readDebiCheck: check the details before you confirm
Understand what a debit-order authentication request does, and what it does not do.
Getting support / 5 min readWhat to do when a repayment becomes difficult
A practical sequence for getting organised, making contact and asking the right questions.
Staying safe / 5 min readCheck a loan message before you trust it
Spot the requests and mismatches that should make you pause.
Getting support / 3 min readDebt review and applying for another loan
If you are under debt review, start with your registered debt counsellor. Lendeka is not a way around that process.
Written by Lendeka. Sources and review information appear with the guides. Read how our content is prepared.
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