A personal loan can help you finance a large purchase or consolidate debt. Personal loans usually have lower interest rates than credit cards, so they can be a good way to save money on interest fees. But before you take out a personal loan, it’s important to understand how they work and what the terms mean.
The annual percentage rate (APR) is the cost of borrowing money for one year, including interest and fees. The APR on a personal loan can range from about 5% to 36%. The lower the APR, the less you’ll pay in interest and fees over time. Most personal loans have fixed APRs, which means the rate won’t change during the life of the loan. Some have variable APRs that can go up or down if the prime rate changes.
The loan term is the length of time you have to repay your loan. Loan terms can be as short as a few months or as long as several years. The longer the term, the lower your monthly payment will be, but you’ll pay more in interest over time.
Personal loans can be for as little as $1,000 or more than $100,000. How much you can borrow depends on your credit history, income, and other factors. Keep in mind that if you borrow more than you need, you’ll end up paying more in interest and fees over time.
Some personal loans require collateral—an asset such as your car or home that can be seized if you don’t repay the loan—while others don’t. Unsecured loans are generally easier to get but may have higher APRs than secured loans.
A personal loan can save you money on interest fees for large purchases or consolidate debt with a lower APR than credit cards. But before taking out a personal loan, understand the terms including APR, loan term lengths, and whether the loan is secured or unsecured. Compare offers from multiple lenders to get the best deal and lowest APR before signing any contract.
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