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Do Personal Loans Hurt Your Credit?

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The latest from our experts

What Increases Your Total Loan Balance?

Increasing balances can jeopardize your financial health. Learn what can increase your tot...

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Apr 29, 2026

What Is Deferred Interest?

Deferred interest allows you to skip interest on a credit account for a specified period. ...

Kim Porter profile imageBy Kim Porter
Apr 15, 2026

Can I Get a Loan to Pay Off Medical Debt?

You can get loans to pay off medical debt, but this adds to your total costs. Learn about ...

Karen Axelton profile imageBy Karen Axelton
Apr 13, 2026

How Do Loan Terms Affect the Cost of Credit?

A longer term means lower monthly payments but more interest over time, while a shorter te...

Ben Luthi profile imageBy Ben Luthi
Apr 11, 2026

Title Loan vs. Secured Loan: Which Is Better?

A title loan can provide a bit of fast cash when your credit isn't stellar. But it's far m...

Gayle Sato profile imageBy Gayle Sato
Apr 8, 2026

What Is Refinancing?

Refinancing a loan can help you achieve a number of goals, like saving money on interest o...

Evelyn Waugh profile imageBy Evelyn Waugh
Mar 31, 2026

Does Being Self-Employed Affect Your Credit?

Self-employment doesn't affect your credit score, but it can impact credit approval becaus...

Karen Axelton profile imageBy Karen Axelton
Mar 26, 2026

What Is Underwriting?

Loan underwriting is how lenders assess the risk of extending credit to borrowers. It help...

Brianna McGurran profile imageBy Brianna McGurran
Mar 13, 2026

What Does Subprime Mean?

Subprime borrowers have poor credit and may struggle to get a good loan or credit card. Fi...

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Oct 22, 2025

How Do Down Payments Work?

A down payment—money you put toward a purchase you are financing with a loan—is required b...

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Jun 18, 2025

What Is Negative Equity?

If you have a car loan or mortgage, here’s what to know about how negative equity works, h...

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May 22, 2025

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Personal loans are incredibly versatile, but it’s usually not worth it to use one for coll...

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