Loans

Personal, auto, and home loans in plain language: what you qualify for, what it costs, and how to compare offers.

Debt-to-income ratio: the number lenders check before your score DTI is monthly debt divided by gross monthly income. See the 28/36 guideline worked on a real salary, what counts toward it, and the fastest way to improve it. Teja Pagidimarri · August 4, 2026 · 5 min read

Pay off the loan early, or invest the money? Paying down a 7.5% loan is a guaranteed 7.5% return. See what an extra $300 a month does to a $15,000 loan, and where the crossover with investing sits. Teja Pagidimarri · August 4, 2026 · 5 min read

APR vs interest rate: which number tells you the real cost The interest rate is the cost of the money; the APR adds required fees. See a worked comparison where the lower rate is the worse deal, and how to compare properly. Teja Pagidimarri · August 4, 2026 · 5 min read