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Should You Get a Loan on Your Credit Card?

A loan on a credit card is cheaper than a cash advance, but it won't benefit your credit score and may be more expensive than alternatives.

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Steve Nicastro, Jackie Veling

3 Steps to Personal Loan Pre-Qualification

Pre-qualification gives you a preview of the potential terms of your personal loan. Learn how to pre-qualify.

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Nicole Dow, Jackie Veling

What Happens If I Default on a Personal Loan?

Defaulting on a personal loan can have serious consequences, including a damaged credit score.

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Ronita Choudhuri-Wade, Robin Hartill, CFP®

What Is an Unsecured Personal Loan?

An unsecured loan lets you borrow money without having to pledge items you own as collateral.

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Jackie Veling

What Is a Loan?

A loan is a sum of money borrowed from a creditor that you pay back with interest. Loans can be secured or unsecured.

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Amrita Jayakumar, Robin Hartill, CFP®

How to Get a Debt Consolidation Loan in 5 Steps

Getting a debt consolidation loan includes knowing how much you want to borrow, pre-qualifying with lenders and submitting your application.

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Jackie Veling

What Is a Personal Loan Origination Fee?

An origination fee adds to a personal loan's costs, but may be worth paying if the APR is lowest among other options.

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Jackie Veling, Laura McMullen

How Does a Personal Loan Affect Your Credit Score?

A personal loan can build your credit scores in the long term — as long as you consistently repay the debt on time.

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Nicole Dow, Robin Hartill, CFP®

What Are Installment Loans and How Do They Work?

An installment loan lets you borrow a set amount that you repay with interest over a period of months or years.

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Annie Millerbernd, Robin Hartill, CFP®

6 Tips to Boost Your Chances of Personal Loan Approval

Comparing lenders, paying down debt and adding a co-borrower are three ways to help you qualify for a personal loan.

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Nicole Dow

What Is a Payday Loan and How Does It Work?

Payday loans are high-cost, short-term and risky loans. Consider alternatives before getting a payday loan.

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Nicole Dow, Jackie Veling

What Is Predatory Lending? 3 Types of Predatory Loans

Predatory lending benefits a lender at the borrower's expense. Learn the warning signs and how to spot a good lender.

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Nicole Dow, Robin Hartill, CFP®

What to Know About Refinancing a Personal Loan

When you refinance a personal loan, you pay it off with another loan. Ideally, your new loan has a lower rate, so you save money.

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Nicole Dow, Annie Millerbernd

National Debt Relief for Debt Settlement: 2026 Review

National Debt Relief offers debt settlement plans that can help you get out of debt, but it’s risky. Compare debt settlement with other debt payoff alternatives.

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Jackie Veling

What Is a Credit-Builder Loan and Who Would Benefit?

A credit-builder loan helps you build credit through a record of on-time payments — plus you get a savings boost.

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Nicole Dow, Robin Hartill, CFP®

Top Debt Management Plan Companies in 2026

A debt management plan can help you get control of your debt. Compare fees from the top companies.

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Jackie Veling, Sean Pyles

Self Credit-Builder Loan: How It Works

A credit-builder loan from Self can help your credit profile through on-time loan payments.

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Nicole Dow, Robin Hartill, CFP®

How to Consolidate Credit Card Debt: 5 Best Options

Consolidating your credit card debt is usually a good idea if you can qualify for a lower rate than your current debts.

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Jackie Veling

No-Credit-Check Loans: How They Work and Alternatives to Consider

No-credit-check loans are easy to get but should usually be considered after lower-cost alternatives.

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Nicole Dow, Laura McMullen

401(k) Loans: How to Borrow From Your Retirement Fund

A 401(k) loan lets you borrow money at a low interest rate, but it can derail your retirement savings.

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Annie Millerbernd, Nicole Dow