Section
Loans
Personal, auto and student borrowing, and what the APR really costs over the term.
Comparisons
What’s in this section
Personal loans
A personal loan is a fixed-amount, fixed-payment installment loan from a bank, credit union, or online…
Auto loans
An auto loan is a type of installment credit used to finance the purchase of a new or used vehicle, with the…
Student loans
Student loans are credit products designed to cover the cost of post-secondary education, including tuition…
Reading on loans
How to Buy New Truck Tires Without Wrecking Your Cash Flow
A set of all-terrain tires runs about $1200, but timing holiday sales and pacing payments keeps your truck on the road…
How to Pay for Rock Sliders Without Paying Interest
Protect your truck's cab on the trail for about $850 and spread the payments over 18 months at $47.22 a month.
How to Pay for a Catalytic Converter Shield
Protect your exhaust from thieves without blowing your monthly budget.
How to Pay for Custom Neoprene Seat Covers
Protect your vehicle's resale value with durable seat covers by timing the June sales and using an 18-month payment…
How to Pay for a Vinyl Car Wrap
Get a fresh color change on your car without breaking your monthly budget.
How to Pay for Winter Tires and Rims
Get your car ready for the snow by spreading the cost of winter tires and steel rims over eighteen months without…
Also in audio and video
Covered on the show
Negative Equity Car Trade-Ins: What It Means and What to Do
Being upside down on a car loan means owing more than the vehicle is worth. We break down how dealers roll old debt into new…
PODCAST · EP 71The Honest Truth About Unsecured Personal Loans
We break down how unsecured loans actually work, from the interest rates to the hidden fees. You will learn when borrowing makes…
PODCAST · EP 59How to Pick the Right Student Loan Repayment Plan
We break down how to choose a student loan repayment plan that fits your cash flow without costing you a fortune in interest…
PODCAST · EP 54VA Loans Explained: Who Qualifies and How They Work
We break down VA loan eligibility, from service requirements and the Certificate of Eligibility to lender rules and the appraisal…
PODCAST · EP 38How to buy a motorcycle without overpaying
Buying a bike is more than just the price tag on the window. We walk through how to time your purchase and how to handle the loan…
PODCAST · EP 23First Time Car Buyer Loan: What to Know Before You Sign
Buying your first car is exciting, but the loan is where the real cost lives. We break down how car financing actually works…
PODCAST · EP 21Buying a Family SUV Without Draining Your Savings
We look at what a family SUV actually costs once you factor in gas and depreciation. Plus, how to time your purchase and handle…
PODCAST · EP 20How to Buy a Used Pickup Without Drowning in Bills
We look at what used pickups really cost once you factor in gas, tires, and repairs. Plus, how to time your purchase and use…
PODCAST · EP 15Buying a Used Tesla Model 3 Without Timing the Market Wrong
We look at what it really takes to own a used Tesla Model 3, from running costs to end-of-quarter dealer pressure. Plus, we walk…
PODCAST · EP 10How to Read a Personal Loan Offer
Before you sign for a personal loan, you need to look past the monthly payment. We break down how to spot hidden fees, compare…
PODCAST · EP 6Why a Down Payment Changes the Whole Auto Loan
A calm walkthrough of how a down payment lowers what you borrow, trims interest, and may even improve your rate, plus the…