Amrita writes about consumer credit and debt issues for NerdWallet. She has reported on government contractors, information technology, retail, housing and small businesses as a reporter and digital producer at The Washington Post. Her work has also appeared in The Miami Herald. Originally from Mumbai, India, Amrita enjoys using credit card rewards points to travel. She is based in San Francisco.
In this series, NerdWallet interviews people who have triumphed over debt using a combination of commitment, budgeting and smart financial choices. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. In…
When to consider: In a true emergency after you’ve explored other options U.S. Bank became the first mainstream bank to offer small loans as an alternative to payday loans in…
When was the last time you heard someone raving about their lender? If it’s been a while, there may be a good reason for that: Predatory lending practices do exist.…
Debt consolidation can be a useful strategy when you’re struggling to keep up with multiple payments. You can roll multiple unsecured debts into a single payment at a lower rate.…
When to consider: A last resort in a true emergency after you’ve exhausted other options Oportun is an online and storefront lender that makes small loans to low-income consumers with…
When to consider: A last resort in a true emergency after you’ve exhausted other options LendUp is an online lender that makes small loans — both lump-sum and installment loans…
When to consider: A last resort in a true emergency after you’ve exhausted other options Rise Credit is an online installment loan for bad-credit borrowers offered by Elevate, a Texas-based…
Good for: Good credit, debt consolidation Discover lends to good-credit borrowers who want to consolidate debt or cover major expenses, such as home improvements and repairs. Discover personal loans may…
When to consider: A last resort in a true emergency after you’ve exhausted other options OppLoans makes short-term installment loans with no credit check. The online lender calls itself a…
A payday loan is a high-cost, short-term loan for a small amount — typically $300 to $400 — that’s meant to be repaid with your next paycheck. Payday loans require…
