How to Finance Your Cosmetic Surgery Procedure

Cosmetic procedures are not performed only on the rich and famous anymore. People from all walks of life-from exotic dancers to grandmas-are going under the knife. It is not uncommon to find out that your next door neighbor has gotten a nose job, facelift, breast augmentation, or liposuction (or even all four). Reasons for having plastic surgery range from correcting a serious deformity to simply wanting a more youthful appearance.

If you've been curious about getting cosmetic improvements, but were afraid that the costs would be too high, it's time to dispel that myth. Financing a cosmetic procedure does not have to mean going in debt for years to come.

Planned smartly, you can have your cosmetic procedure without worrying about money. Let's get started exploring your payment options.

CASH PAYMENT

Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it doesn't have to be. If you're the type of person who can be disciplined about cutting back on expenses, then paying in cash is a wonderful option. Not having finance charges and a hefty interest rate to pay will mean more money in your wallet.

USING YOUR CREDIT CARD

But what if you can't or don't want to wait to save up enough money? It could take years to save up for the cosmetic procedure you desire. For those of you who are in a rush, using a credit card could work out nicely. Even better, pay off part of the bill with any available you may have cash on hand.

Evaluate how long it would take you to pay off the bill. If your credit card charges you high interest and you can barely pay the bills as it is, then this route is not in your best interest. However, if you can secure a credit card with zero APR and no fees, this makes using your card a viable option. Be careful with the no APR offer-read their offer carefully to avoid penalty fees.

LOANS

The lender of your loan could be anyone from Uncle Freddie to Mr. Lender at Big Shot Bank & Loans. With Uncle Freddie, you may be able to wheel and deal on the payment plan and interest rate. With Mr. Lender at Big Shot Bank & Loans, the wheeling and dealing is done with your FICO score.

Burdened with a FICO score so low that the interest rate for a loan would be way out of your league? Another possibility is your plastic surgeon's office. Many doctors offer financing, with interest rates usually in the 10 to 20 percent range. Some even offer discounts for getting multiple cosmetic procedures done.

Evaluate the choices. Choose the least stressful way of financing your plastic surgery, and you'll be happy you did.