5 Reasons You Should Avoid Personal Loans

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1. You End Up Paying Back a Lot More Money

You know that feeling when you buy something on sale and later realize the “deal” wasn’t so good?

That’s basically what happens with personal loans.

You borrow what seems like a small amount, but by the time you finish paying it off, it’s like you’ve paid for two.

It’s sneaky. Those little interest payments pile up like sand at the beach after a long Miami breeze.

And before you know it, you’ve spent months (or even years) paying off something that’s already long gone.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Use a free loan calculator on NerdWallet or Bankrate to see exactly how much you’ll repay before signing anything.

📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌


2. The Interest Can Be Higher Than You Expect

Sure, the ad says “low rates available,” but that’s only if you’ve got perfect credit. Like unicorn-level perfect.

For most people, the rate you actually get can be way higher than the one you saw on that fancy banner.

Suddenly, your “cheap” loan feels more like a high-end luxury purchase you didn’t plan for.

And if you miss even one payment? Boom. More interest, more fees, and more headaches.

Feels like you’re paying extra just for the privilege of borrowing in the first place, right?

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Check your credit score for free on Credit Karma before applying, so you know what rates to expect.

3. Hidden Fees Can Catch You Off Guard

Ever ordered takeout and realized the “$10 meal” turned into $22 after fees?

Personal loans can pull that same trick.

Origination fees, late fees, and prepayment penalties. It’s like a surprise party you didn’t ask for.

These little extras eat into your budget faster than a sunset cocktail at South Beach.

And once they’re added to your balance, good luck trying to track where all that money went.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Always read the fine print and compare lenders on sites like LendingTree or NerdWallet to spot hidden costs before applying.

Bonus Tip: Track Every Dollar Like It’s Your Favorite Pair of Shades

You’ve probably noticed how debt has this sneaky way of showing up again when you’re not watching.

One day you’re free and clear, and the next, you’re wondering where all your money disappeared.

That’s why keeping an eye on every payment, loan, and due date matters more than you think.

Because let’s be real. Managing debt in your head is like trying to count waves at the beach.

You need something that actually keeps you accountable without making your brain melt.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Use Undebt.it, a free online tool that helps you see every loan, track your progress, and plan your debt-free date (people swear it’s like therapy for your finances, minus the hourly rate).

4. It’s Easy to Borrow Again and Get Stuck in Debt

Here’s the dangerous part. Once you take one loan and pay it off, you might think, “Hey, that wasn’t so bad.”

So you take another one.

Then maybe another.

And before long, you’re juggling more loans than a street performer at Bayside.

Debt has this sneaky way of becoming your “normal,” and that’s when it quietly traps you.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Track every loan and payment using Undebt.it. It’s a free tool that helps you avoid taking on new debt while paying off old ones.

5. Fixed Payments Limit Your Monthly Flexibility

Fixed payments sound stable, right?

But when life hits. Like an unexpected car repair or rent increase. That fixed amount doesn’t care.

You have to pay it, rain or shine, even when your budget’s screaming for a break.

There’s no wiggle room, no flexibility, just a monthly reminder that your money’s already spoken for.

It’s like committing to a gym membership you can’t cancel, except this one charges interest.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Before taking any loan, set up a realistic monthly budget using tools like Rocket Money to see if you can handle fixed payments long-term.

📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌


And that’s it!

Never forget it… 

🍔 A Bigger Bank Account Is Waiting For You!

😉 Dale!

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Claudio Garcia

Hi! I’m the founder of Money Vice and a passionate personal finance enthusiast. I started this site to help people across America save more with the least difficulty, get rid of debt, and to start putting their money to work (in the easiest way possible).