Homeownership is still the American dream, according to a report by the National Association of Realtors. But saving for a down payment poses a serious obstacle for many would-be homebuyers. It’s an especially difficult challenge for first-time buyers who don’t have profits from selling one home to help pay for a new one. If you’re struggling to come up with a down payment on your first home, down payment assistance (DPA) programs can help. These programs consist of special loans, tax credits, and grants designed specifically to help first-time buyers purchase a home. In this post: What is do ..read more

Personal loans are versatile tools that can be used to fund a variety of your financial needs, ranging from debt consolidation to home improvements. Compare personal loan rates Finding the best loan rates takes less than 2 minutes. Checking won’t affect your credit score. Loading widget - embedded-prequal Tips for finding the right personal loan for you Know what you need.  While personal loans are versatile, some lenders may limit what they can be used for. In general, lenders tend to avoid offering personal loans for business or college expenses. Common uses for personal loans include ..read more

The cost of a college education has long been increasing faster than inflation. Tuition and fees in the 2011-12 school year averaged $9,890 at a public four-year college, with the cost rising to $10,740 in the 2021-22 school year according to CollegeBoard. The number is even greater for private schools — rising from $33,320 to $38,070. This can put college financially out of reach for many, but there are ways to get an education for free or at a drastically reduced price. Affordable ways to go to college Take out a private student loan Affordable ways to go to college While it’s virtually i ..read more

If you’re searching for the money to fund a college education, you might try checking at work. Employers know that an educated workforce is a competitive advantage in business; that’s why they offer tuition reimbursement programs to their employees. When your company offers tuition assistance, it’s a win-win. You get help paying for your degree, and your company attracts and retains qualified employees. But not all companies’ tuition reimbursements are the same. When examining such a program, you’ll want to review how much of your tuition is covered and if you meet the eligibility requirements ..read more

As a homeowner, you’ll occasionally have to repair or replace appliances. Because home appliances like water heaters and refrigerators can be expensive, you may need to finance them. Fortunately, you have a few different appliance financing options like personal loans and in-house financing. Comparing your options can help you find the financing solution that’s right for you. In this post: What is appliance financing? What kinds of appliances can you finance? How to get appliance financing What to consider before financing appliances Appliance financing with bad credit Will financing an appli ..read more

If you’re searching for the money to fund a college education, you might try checking at work. Employers know that an educated workforce is a competitive advantage in business; that’s why they offer tuition reimbursement programs to their employees. When your company offers tuition assistance, it’s a win-win. You get help paying for your degree, and your company attracts and retains qualified employees. But not all companies’ tuition reimbursements are the same. When examining such a program, you’ll want to review how much of your tuition is covered and if you meet the eligibility requirements ..read more

Personal loan interest rates on most unsecured loans range between 4.99% and 36%. Comparing rates, monthly payments, and repayment terms from different lenders can help you find a loan that works for your budget. You can get personal loans from several different sources, including online lenders, banks, and credit unions. Here are your options when it comes to finding a personal loan: Average personal loan interest rates Personal loan lenders with some of the lowest rates Interest rates based on credit score How to get the lowest personal loan interest rates Common types of personal loans Lo ..read more

Nearly 200 million Americans have at least one credit card and nearly 75% of households have a credit card or personal loan. Millions more possess other debts, such as home equity lines of credit. The amount of revolving credit that you have, also known as your credit utilization ratio, does more than just track outstanding debts — it also factors into your credit score. Let’s define what makes a good credit utilization ratio, which ratios are considered good, and how you can improve your credit utilization ratio no matter your unique financial situation. What is a credit utilization ratio? W ..read more

With a home equity loan, you can borrow money secured with your property as collateral. It’s a way of extracting equity from your home without doing a cash-out refinance. To get the best home equity loan rates, it helps to understand how both the real estate market and your finances affect the interest rate lenders will offer you. Here’s what you need to know about getting the best rates for a home equity loan: How to find the best rates What is a home equity loan? What affects my home equity loan rate? Do I meet the eligibility requirements? Frequently asked questions How to find the best ..read more

If you’re facing an unanticipated expense but don’t have enough cash set aside to cover it, an emergency loan might come in handy. Emergency loans enable you to get cash quickly, and you can use them for just about any financial emergency, like car repairs or medical bills. There are different types of emergency loans, and it’s important to choose the right one for your specific situation. Here’s an overview of your options. Personal Loans Title Loans HELOC Credit card cash advance Loan from a friend or family member Finding the right emergency loan Emergency loans for bad credit Personal l ..read more