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Loan Guides

Here is your one-stop destination for mastering the intricacies of loans. From fundamental calculators to optimizing your budget, find the right tools and knowledge to make wiser financial decisions.

Basic Loan Calculators

Empower yourself with our loan calculators, your key to understanding and managing loans effortlessly. Calculate loan amortization, compare options, and estimate costs with ease to make informed financial decisions.

You can use this loan amortization table calculator to tell you how much money you still owe on a personal loan. This calculator accommodates amortization tables of up to ten years, and will show you the remaining principal on the loan based on the amount borrowed and the term of the loan.
October 4th, 2023
You can use this automobile or home equity loan calculator to compare the monthly and total cost for these two types of loans. The calculator provides the monthly payments for each option, the total cost of each loan, and overall savings, if any.
October 4th, 2023
October 4th, 2023
This loan payoff calculator can be used to estimate how much money you can save, as well as the number of months saved by increasing your monthly payment beyond your regularly scheduled amount. This loan payoff calculator uses the initial loan amount, the terms of the loan, and the additional payment, to calculate the dollars, as well as time, saved by adding money to each payment.
October 4th, 2023
You can use this loan APR calculator to estimate the effective interest rate on a personal loan. The calculator uses out of pocket costs associated with an application and other fees to figure out an effective monthly payment on the loan. Based on that new payment, the APR on the loan can be determined.
October 4th, 2023
You can use this interest-only loan calculator to figure out your monthly payments, if you decide to take out an interest-only loan. Although this type of loan is more common with mortgages, consumers can find lenders willing to write these kinds of loans to meet a variety of financing needs.
October 4th, 2023
You can use this loan calculator to figure out how much money you might be able to save by refinancing a personal loan. The calculator uses information about an existing loan, along with the refinancing option, to determine the total cost of each loan. These two values are then used to calculate the dollars saved by refinancing.
October 4th, 2023
If you're thinking about debt consolidation, you might want to take a look at our consolidation loan calculator. This tool is designed to help you figure out if a debt consolidation loan is right in your situation. The calculator uses your outstanding debt balances, and existing monthly payments, to figure out the impact of a consolidation loan on your monthly budget.
October 4th, 2023
You can use this loan comparison calculator to figure out your monthly payments for 2, 5, 7, and 10 year personal loans. The calculator allows you to input a variety of interest rates for each loan term. The results include your monthly loan payment, total payments, and the total interest paid on each loan.
October 4th, 2023
You can use this loan cost calculator to estimate the cost of the loan in terms of fees and points. The calculator leverages the fact that annual percentage rate, or APR, is determined using out-of-pocket costs associated with the loan. The closer the quoted interest rate is to the APR, the lower the fees.
October 4th, 2023

Budgeting With Loans

Discover how to achieve financial balance by learning how to budget with loans to pay. Learn strategies to optimize your budget while managing various loans, ensuring a stable financial future.

  • You can use this wage garnishment calculator to estimate the amount of dollars withheld from a paycheck. The calculator follows both the U.S. Department of Labor as well as the Department of Education's wage garnishment guidelines to calculate the impact on the debtor's pay. The calculator considers gross pay, income taxes, as well as mandatory payments in the calculation of the wage garnishment value.
    October 4th, 2023
  • This family budget calculator helps you to figure out how your family expenses compare to an average family's expenses. Using information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this calculator allows you to input your monthly or annual expenses in each of 14 different categories, the calculator then figures out the percentage spent in each category and compares your budget to the national average.
    October 4th, 2023
  • You can use this simple monthly loan calculator to figure out your monthly loan payment. The results of the calculator also include the total of all payments, and the interest paid over the life of the loan.
    October 4th, 2023
  • This emergency fund calculator is used to estimate how much money should be set aside to pay for financial emergencies. The calculator takes the total of all essential living expenses, and uses this information to determine the size of a minimum and optimum emergency fund. From this value, the calculator subtracts any money already set aside for this purpose to determine the additional savings required to meet this need.
    October 4th, 2023
  • You can use this student budget calculator to determine the difference between a student's expenses and sources of income. Ultimately, the calculator can be used to figure out if a student needs to borrow additional money to meet their financial obligations.
    October 4th, 2023

Financing College Loans

Secure your path to higher education with our resources. Get guidance on student loans, financial aid, and making well-informed choices to finance your education.

  • You can use this calculator to determine the value of a college degree. By entering the cost of a college education, along with your expected salary after college or high school, the calculator will tell you how much a college degree is worth.
    October 4th, 2023
  • Student loans are a very important way to fund your college education.  Our guide to college loans tries to help you get all the loans you're entitled to.  We'll explain to you the process of applying for a federal student loan, and how to work with the financial aid office of the college or university your thinking about attending.
    October 4th, 2023
  • You can use this simple college cost calculator to estimate how much it will cost to attend a college or university at a future point in time. This calculator uses the current college cost, years until matriculation, and an estimate of the annual increase to project future college costs.
    October 4th, 2023
  • You can use this college fund calculator to estimate how much a college education will cost in the future. The calculator will also determine if you're saving enough money for college. Finally, the calculator also figures out how much you will have in your college fund each year to pay for tuition, room, and board.
    October 4th, 2023
  • Student Loan Payoff Calculator: How to Eradicate Student Debt in Record Time
    High interest rates and a flat wage growth are making things difficult for those repaying their student loans. The high cost of borrowing, rising living expenses, and job market uncertainty make the student loan payoff calculator a really valuable resource. Using this strategy means faster debt repayment while saving money on interest payments.
    April 18th, 2024

Financing Car Loans

Navigate the world of auto financing with confidence. Explore interest rates and payment options, and gain insights into the financial aspects of car purchases – now and beyond.

  • You can use this low interest or zero percent car loan calculator to figure out your monthly savings if you were to be offered this type of financing option on a new automobile. The calculator allows you to compare your monthly payment savings and total savings over the life of the car loan.
    October 4th, 2023
  • Car Financing Basics
    According to statistics released by the Federal Reserve, the average car loan is nearly $30,000. Buying a car involves a considerable amount of money, and is oftentimes the second largest purchase decision made by households. The ability to understand and analyze the available financing options is critically important.
    November 21st, 2023
  • Lenders know the value of creating payment options to suit an individual's needs, and that means lenders today will even write biweekly loans for cars. But just how much money can you really save with a biweekly car loan? Our biweekly car loan calculator will show you exactly what you can expect in terms of real savings.
    October 4th, 2023
  • You can use this simple auto loan calculator to figure out your monthly payments on a new or used car. In addition to your monthly payment, the calculator figures out the net amount you are financing, your total payments, and the total interest paid on the car loan.
    October 4th, 2023
  • You can use this auto loan qualifier to figure out how much you can afford to pay for a new or used car. The calculator allows you to enter a desired monthly payment amount, and allowances for trade-ins or down payments. This information is then used to figure out the price you may be able to pay for a new car.
    October 4th, 2023
  • You can use this car loan comparison calculator to figure out your monthly payments for 2, 3, 4, and 5 year automobile loans. The calculator allows you to input a variety of interest rates for each loan term. The results include your monthly car loan payment, total payments, and the total interest paid on each loan.
    October 4th, 2023
  • Figuring out which new car to buy can be a very stressful experience. Financing decisions only add to that stress, especially if someone has bad credit. That's because having a poor credit score can lower the ability to get a competitive interest rate on a car loan.
    September 6th, 2023

Balancing Debts

Master the art of financial stability by learning how to balance your debts. Discover strategies for debt reduction, understanding debt ratios, and effectively managing your debt-to-income ratio.

  • This debt reduction calculator can be used to estimate how much money you can save, as well as the number of months saved, by increasing the amount of money paid toward reducing your debt. This debt reduction calculator uses the debt owed, annual interest rate on debt, and the additional debt payment, to calculate the dollars, as well as time, saved by adding money to each payment.
    October 4th, 2023
  • You can use this debt ratio calculator to figure out if you might be at risk of being denied a loan. In general, lenders apply certain rules when evaluating someone that has applied for credit. In the mortgage industry, they use a rule of 32, which states that the total of all your monthly debt payments cannot exceed 32% of your monthly income. When debt ratios approach 40%, the chances of being denied credit or a loan are high.
    October 4th, 2023
  • You can use this debt-to-income ratio calculator, also referred to as a DTI calculator, to figure out if you might be at risk of carrying too much debt or if you qualify for a loan of a given size. In general, lenders apply certain rules when evaluating someone that has applied for credit. The calculator performs both front-end, as well as back-end debt-to-income calculations.
    October 4th, 2023
  • This free lump sum debt reduction calculator can be used to figure out how much money you might be able to save, and the number of months that are eliminated, by making a one-time, lump sum payment. The calculator uses the current debt owed, annual interest rate on debt, monthly payment, and the lump sum, to calculate both the dollars and time saved by making this one-time payment.
    October 4th, 2023

Understanding Credit Cards

Use our resources to demystify the world of credit. Learn how to compare credit card offers, calculate payments, and strategically pay off your balances to make informed credit decisions.

  • This credit card comparison calculator allows you to compare competing offers from two credit card companies. The calculator evaluates your monthly card balance, annual fees, and introductory rates to calculate the cost of each credit card as well as the effective interest rate charged. Studies indicate that in 2021, US credit card holders had an average credit limit of $12,945. However, a small number of credit cards with extremely high limits are thought to have a significant impact on this sum. The typical American consumer's credit card balance limit was $12,890 in 2020, depending on income, credit history, and age.
    October 4th, 2023
  • You can use this credit card payment calculator to figure out what your minimum monthly credit card payment might be for each of the major credit card issuers. You can use one of our other loan calculators to figure out how quickly you can pay off a credit card balance.
    October 4th, 2023

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