If you’re considering a personal loan for the first time, it’s important to be ready with the information, application materials and plan for tackling your first application. Some information you may know off the top of your head, like your income. But there are others you’ll want to look into before applying for your loan, such as your credit score. …

It’s always a good idea to save up money before making a large purchase. But in reality, that’s not always possible. That’s especially true for expenses like a college education, a car or a home, or even unexpected emergencies, like medical bills. When you can’t save money in advance, you can take out a loan. However, you’ll need to understand …

A late payment can drop your credit score by as much as 180 points and may stay on your credit reports for up to seven years. However, lenders typically report late payments to the credit bureaus once you’re 30 days past due, meaning your credit score won’t be damaged if you pay within those 30 days. However, you could still …