Category: Borrowing

hand holding up a white thought bubble with the symbolizing student loan debt against a teal background

How to Pay Off Student Loans & Get Rid of Them Fast

Currently, the average graduate in the United States accrues over $37,650 in student loan debt to pursue a bachelor’s degree. And it’s not uncommon for it to take 20 years to pay off that student debt. The numbers speak volumes. Of the 45 million student borrowers in the U.S., 95% are indebted up to $36,500… Read more »

man and woman sitting at tan desk calculating their DTI ratio using white notepad, silver laptop, a black iPhone, and calculator

A Complete Guide to Debt-to-Income Ratio

Prospective borrowers who are looking into mortgages or other financing options have likely heard the phrase “debt-to-income (DTI) ratio” — which may cause them to ask, “what is DTI and why does it matter?” Despite the name, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is often expressed as a percentage and is one of the multiple factors that can… Read more »

manin black suit holding a black pen and stack of white papers sitting at a desk

7 Main Factors That Determine Loan Amounts

Prospective borrowers must consider quite a few factors before applying for a loan of any type, most importantly, perhaps is how much they can borrow. Loan amounts and borrowing capacity greatly influence a borrower’s budget. For financing milestone purchases such as a first home, this is a big deal. Whether it’s an auto loan, personal… Read more »

closeup of an adult wearing a red and blue plaid shirt driving a vehicle with a black steering wheel

How to Negotiate a Car Lease

A car lease is an agreement between the lessee and the lessor — typically a car dealership — to drive a vehicle for a limited period of time and an allotted number of miles, for a specific price. Unlike auto loans, however, car leases are typically for borrowing a car rather than building equity towards purchasing a car. Find out which type of auto financing agreement — to buy or to lease — is best for you…. Read more »

woman with black hair wearing a gray sweater filling out a student loan application on a gray laptop

Why Do I Need a Co-Signer for My Student Loans?

As students and young adults prepare for college, it is not uncommon for them to need financial assistance to help cover the costs of their education. And when financial aid is not available or doesn’t cover enough of the costs, a student loan could be a solution. Needing a loan is not uncommon. In fact,… Read more »

There May Be Deals on Used Pickup Trucks This Year

Pickup trucks usually command good prices at used vehicle auctions. Dealers reported that 2016 was an especially strong year for pickup resale — but Kelley Blue Book says that might change this year. KBB said that average values for one-year to three-year-old pickup trucks have remained strong as a result of high demand at auction, despite fuel… Read more »