Peter Miller

Credit monitoring is a modern necessity, a way to spot identity theft and financial fraud. But should you pay for credit monitoring services?

Many believe that the best way to finance a cruise, or any non-essential short-term purchase, is to not finance it. To pay cash. But there can be good reasons to borrow money for a cruise – both personal and even financial. By paying early for your cruise, you can save up to 50%, and even get extra perks like free wifi, drinks packages and restaurant upgrades.

It can be harder to find loans if you’re self-employed. But lenders will approve installment loans for self-employed applicants if:

• Their credit meets minimum guidelines
• Income is consistent and reliable
• The business and industry is healthy

Self-employed borrowers often have to supply more documentation than wage-earners to prove these things. This article illustrates what you’ll probably need to apply for a personal loan when self-employed.

Personal loans are usually unsecured. Unsecured personal loans are only backed by your promise to repay them – your “personal” guaranty. If you are having a hard time getting approved for an unsecured loan, or you don’t like the interest rate the lender offers, consider a secured personal loan. Secured personal loans are backed by collateral – an asset that the lender can repossess if you don’t repay the loan.

Most personal loans are unsecured with fixed interest rates and payments. But there are other types of personal loans. These include loans secured by collateral, loans with variable interest rates and lines of credit. The best personal loan for you depends on your purpose, income and credit rating.

How do you know when it makes sense to refinance a personal loan? The personal loan refinance decision depends on three factors:

• Can you qualify for a personal loan refinance?
• Will you save money by refinancing your personal loan?
• Are there better alternatives to applying for a new personal loan?

This article will walk you through these considerations and teach you how to refinance a loan.

What is a FICO score? What is a VantageScore? How are they different and how do those differences affect your borrowing?

Getting a personal loan is about more than securing loan approval:

• Budget and manage your personal loan payments
• Pay on time to improve your credit history and score
• Consider refinancing or paying off your personal loan early

A personal loan can be your first loan and opportunity to build credit or a tool to consolidate and pay off credit that you already have. Here’s what you need to know to manage it wisely.

Are personal loans for fair credit borrowers a good financial option? If the answer is yes, then what personal loan interest rates can borrowers expect?

What credit score is needed to get a personal loan? The minimum FICO score to get a personal loan depends on the lender, the type of loan, and the borrower’s other qualifications.