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Few Americans can get through life without financing something. Whether it's a home, vehicle, or large project, financing can make it easier to get things done.
Keep reading to find out more about financing.
Financing is when a financial institution -- like a bank, credit union, or online lender -- lends you money to cover an expense. For example, when you need money for a car, a lender provides financing in the form of a loan. Financing is how most Americans pay for major purchases, such as:
The best type of financing for you depends, in part, on what you plan to do with the money. Below, we'll cover the main types of financing -- and what you need to know about each.
Note: If you've lost income due to the coronavirus pandemic, you may qualify for a coronavirus hardship loan. Read our guide to coronavirus hardship loans for more details.
Important characteristics of personal loans include:
The credit score needed for a personal loan varies. If your credit score is less-than-perfect, check out our expert-recommended lenders for below-average credit:
TIP
If your credit score is low, you may be charged a higher personal loan interest rate. It's worthwhile to take some time to boost your credit score before applying for a personal loan.
Some personal loans are "secured," while others are "unsecured." Here's the difference:
A secured loan is backed by collateral. Say you take out a loan for a boat. The lender considers the boat "collateral," an item of value they can repossess if you fail to make your payments. All secured loans are backed by collateral, like bank accounts, vehicles, or jewelry.
An unsecured loan is backed only by your signature. If you miss payments, your credit score will take a hit -- but other than suing you for the money, the lender does not have many options (they can't take your possessions). That is why it's harder to qualify for an unsecured loan, and the interest rate on an unsecured loan is almost always higher.
If your credit score is low, you might have a better chance of getting approved for a personal loan by applying for a secured loan. Even if you can get a personal loan without putting up collateral, you might get a lower interest rate with a secured loan.
You can use the calculator below to calculate the monthly payment on a personal loan.
Get the best rates and terms to fit your needs. Here are a few loans we'd like to highlight, including our award winners.
Lender | APR Range | Loan Amount | Min. Credit Score | Next Steps |
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Apply Now for Discover Personal Loan
Powered by Credible
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
5.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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7.99% - 24.99%
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$2,500 - $40,000
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660
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Apply Now for Discover Personal Loan
Powered by Credible |
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Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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7.80% - 35.99%
|
$1,000 - $50,000
|
None
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![]()
Apply Now for Best Egg
Powered by Credible
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
8.99% - 35.99%
|
$2,000 - $50,000
|
550
|
Apply Now for Best Egg
Powered by Credible |
Debt consolidation allows you to take out a single lower-interest loan to pay off higher-interest debts. You apply for a low-interest loan, use the funds to pay off your high-interest debt, and then focus on repaying the loan. This strategy can save you a significant amount of money in interest charges.
Imagine you have three credit cards. You owe $5,000 on each card, and you pay 17% interest. Here's how much money you could save with a debt consolidation loan:
Item | Credit cards | Debt consolidation loan |
---|---|---|
Interest rate | 17% | 7.99% |
Monthly payment | $450 | $380 |
Time to pay off | 46 months | 46 months |
Amount paid in interest charges | $5,445 | $2,464 |
As you can see, in this scenario, a debt consolidation loan could save you a jaw-dropping $2,981. If you're considering a debt consolidation loan, take a look at our experts' list of best debt consolidation loans.
This type of financing makes sense for borrowers with a good credit score (700 or above). Like a credit card, this is unsecured financing. The lender sets a total amount that can be borrowed, and you can take funds out as needed, up to that total. Once you have repaid it, that amount is again available to you.
Homeowners with enough equity in their homes have a financing option not available to other borrowers -- a home equity loan. It works like this: Say you owe $100,000 on your home, but it's worth $200,000. That means you have $100,000 in equity. Most lenders will lend up to 85% of the equity, in this case, $85,000. As with other financing types, you make payments each month for a set number of months.
When you finance a purchase, you borrow money and pay it back with interest. Usually, you repay it in monthly installments. Before the lender gives you the money, you sign a contract outlining how much you are borrowing, the interest rate, how much your monthly payments will be, and when the loan will be paid in full.
If you're considering whether to finance a purchase, it's time to do some homework.
These simple steps will help you save money when you get a personal loan:
Financing is helpful when you need something but do not have the cash available to pay for it. For example, if you are in an emergency room with a broken arm and must cover your co-pay before treatment, you can apply for a medical loan. If someone you love passes away and you need funds to cover the funeral, or someone is ill and you need to travel to see them, financing is a good idea.
Financing is a responsible option when you need (rather than want) what you are financing and you have the income to repay the loan. It is a good idea when your credit score is strong enough to land one of the best personal loans available.
Financing is a bad idea when you want something but do not have the money to pay for it.
Let's say you move into an apartment with bright blue carpeting. You decide your sofa clashes with the flooring and head out furniture shopping. The smart move is to save enough cash for a new sofa, or better yet, save for a sofa cover that matches the carpeting.
As useful as financing is in many situations, it is not without risks, including:
There is a lot of talk about the value of "balance," and with good reason. When it comes to your money, balance is all about building an emergency fund with enough to cover three to six months' worth of bills, paying cash whenever possible, keeping debt to a minimum, and taking advantage of financing options when it benefits your bottom line.
Financing a purchase not only allows you to buy the things you need now and pay for them over time, it can also help you build strong credit and add to the quality of your life.
As with every important financial decision, it is essential to weigh your options. Ask yourself if what you want to finance is something you need, if you can easily afford the monthly payments, if your job is secure, and if you have money put away for a rainy day.
Also, consider whether the purchase you want to finance will add to your bottom line. For example, installing wood floors in your home can increase its value from 3% to 5%. Let's say you have a home currently worth $250,000 and spend $15,000 to install wood floors. If the property's value immediately rises by an amount between $7,500 and $12,500, you made a wise investment.
Only you can decide for sure whether financing a purchase is the right move. But you have already taken the first step by learning more about the process.
Here are some other questions we've answered:
Looking for a personal loan but don’t know where to start? Our favorites offer quick approval and rock-bottom interest rates. Check out our list to find the best loan for you.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
*Upstart Loan Disclaimer
The full range of available rates varies by state. The average 3-year loan offered across all lenders using the Upstart platform will have an APR of 21.97% and 36 monthly payments of $35 per $1,000 borrowed. For example, the total cost of a $10,000 loan would be $12,646 including a $626 origination fee. APR is calculated based on 3-year rates offered in the last 1 month. There is no down payment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application.