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Personal Loans

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What to Expect After Paying Off an Installment Loan

Prepare for a change to your credit score and make plans for extra money in your budget.

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Annie Millerbernd
Nov 12, 2021

How to Compare Personal Loans: 7 Features to Check

When choosing between multiple personal loan offers, compare features like fees, rate discounts and fast funding.

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Annie Millerbernd
Oct 26, 2021

Low-Income Loans: What They Are and Where to Get One

Borrowers with low income may qualify for a personal loan with certain lenders. Also consider cheaper financing options.

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2
Nicole Dow, Robin Hartill, CFP®
Oct 08, 2021

Are Personal Loans Taxable?

A personal loan is not taxable income, but there could be tax implications if it’s used for certain purposes or forgiven.

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2
Nicole Dow, Chanell Alexander
Jul 15, 2021

What Is a Signature Loan?

A signature loan is a fixed-rate, unsecured personal loan backed by your signature as your promise to repay.

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Jackie Veling
Jun 22, 2021

How to Get a Loan from the Bank in 5 Steps

Getting a personal loan from a bank starts with checking whether you qualify and comparing rates.

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Jackie Veling
Jun 17, 2021

Ally Personal Loan Alternatives

Ally Bank no longer offers financing for home improvement projects and medical procedures. Find other loan options from banks and online lenders.

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2
Annie Millerbernd, Robin Hartill, CFP®
Apr 15, 2021

Personal Loan vs. Home Equity Loan: Which Is Best?

The best loan depends on factors such as your credit, how much home equity you have and your reason for borrowing.

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Annie Millerbernd
Apr 13, 2021

How to Finance an Engagement Ring in 2026

There are many options for engagement ring financing, including credit cards, “buy now, pay later” plans, directly through the jeweler or personal loans.

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2
Jackie Veling, Annie Millerbernd
Mar 22, 2021

The Pros and Cons of Debt Consolidation

Debt consolidation may be a good idea if you can qualify for a low interest rate, make payments on time and stay out of debt in the future.

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Jackie Veling
Feb 10, 2021

What Is a Personal Loan and How Does It Work?

A personal loan is money borrowed from a lender that you pay back in monthly installments.

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2
Nicole Dow, Ronita Choudhuri-Wade
Nov 06, 2020

How to Apply for a Personal Loan if You’re Self-Employed

Being self-employed shouldn't prevent you from getting a personal loan. Just be prepared to prove your income.

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2
Nicole Dow, Sara Rathner
Oct 29, 2020

The Best Ways to Borrow Money

Need to borrow money? We explore the fastest and cheapest ways to borrow, plus three options to avoid.

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2
Jackie Veling, Nicole Dow
Oct 07, 2020

Kikoff Credit-Builder Review 2026

Kikoff offers lines of credit starting at $750, plus some add-on products to help you build credit.

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Robin Hartill, CFP®
Sep 28, 2020

How to Get a Personal Loan With Bad Credit

Bad-credit borrowers may have to take extra steps to qualify for a personal loan or to get a better rate.

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Annie Millerbernd, Nicole Dow
Sep 11, 2020

Should I Take a Personal Loan to Pay Rent?

You can get a personal loan for rent, but it's an expensive option. Rule out other ways to cover your rent first.

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Robin Hartill, CFP®
Aug 28, 2020

High-Interest Loans: What They Are and How They Work

High-interest loans have annual percentage rates above 36%, making them expensive and tough to repay. You may have cheaper options.

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2
Annie Millerbernd, Robin Hartill, CFP®
Aug 10, 2020

Personal Loan vs. Auto Loan: What’s the Difference?

Auto loans are for new and used vehicle purchases and tend to have lower rates than personal loans, which can be used for almost any large expense.

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Nicole Dow, Jackie Veling
Jul 20, 2020

10 Ways to Pay Off Credit Card Debt

You can get out of credit card debt with strategies ranging from DIY for smaller balances to relief programs for more serious situations.

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Lauren Schwahn, Kate Ashford, WMS™, Jackie Veling
May 29, 2020

Family Loans: How to Borrow From and Lend to Family

Family loans can be a cheap way to borrow money — but they can also risk your relationship. Carefully weigh the pros and cons.

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2
Nicole Dow, Annie Millerbernd
May 22, 2020