Using Credit Wisely
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Debt Elimination: How to Get Out of Debt
Getting out of debt is a lot more difficult than getting in it. You might feel overwhelmed or even discouraged at times, but it’s worth the discipline and determination it takes to pay it off. Getting out from under that financial burden will feel like a heavy weight has been lifted from your shoulders. It’s worth the effort.

Seven Things That Can Damage Your Credit Score
Credit plays an important role in our financial lives and keeping a good score is essential. Avoid these seven things that can significantly damage your credit score.

Paying Student Loans: How to Pay Back Your Student Loans
Paying off student loans is a top financial priority for many people, but it can be confusing and hard to navigate. Many people don’t understand how student loan debt works or what their options are to reduce their payments. Read this article to learn more about student loans and what options you have to pay them back.
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Alternative Payment Terms
The term of your vehicle loan can make a big difference in your monthly payment. It can also have a significant impact on the amount of interest you will pay over the course of the loan. You pay interest each month on the outstanding balance of the vehicle loan, so the longer the term of the loan the more interest that you will pay until the loan is paid off.

Loan Payment Calculator: Estimate Monthly Payment with Simple Loan Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your rate and monthly loan payment for a car, motorcycle, recreational vehicle or personal loan. You can also use this calculator to contact an Ent Lending Specialist.

Mortgage Comparison Calculator: Home Loan Comparison Calculator
When purchasing a home the mortgage you choose and the options you want with it will have a significant impact on how much your home costs you in the long run. Interest charges, origination fees, fees paid for a particular interest rate (formerly referred to as 'points') and settlement costs will often have the most impact. Of these, the interest rate you pay will matter most.

Debt Consolidation Calculator
Debt consolidation loans allow consumers to transfer the account balances from multiple credit cards or installment loans into a single loan and to make a single monthly payment. For debt consolidation loans to be beneficial, the repayment period for paying off the consolidation loan should be shorter than what it would be for your existing debts without the loan. Secondly, the interest that you pay over the repayment period should be less than what you would pay with your existing repayment terms. In some cases, a debt consolidation loan may look attractive because it has a significantly lower monthly payment than what you are paying today, but it is likely the case that the lower payment is due to extending the repayment of the loan over a much longer repayment period.

Debt Pay Off Calculator: Credit Card Repayment & Loan Payoff Calculator
Setting a goal for paying off a mortgage, auto loan, credit card or personal loan makes sound financial sense. Some loans, such as a mortgage or car loan have defined repayment periods. Others do not. To reach a debt repayment goal, you will need to know what you need to pay each month. You also might want to compare it to your current repayment schedule to see how helpful reaching that goal might be.

Credit Card Calculator: Compare Options with our Credit Card Payoff Calculator
Like many credit card holders, there are times when you might have overdone it on the spending and are now facing the task of paying off your credit card balance. The length of time it will take is primarily driven by the interest rate you are paying on the outstanding balance, how much you continue to use the card and how much you pay off monthly. A good rule of thumb is to try to pay off any card balance in 36 months, but you might want to see what it will take to pay off the balance in shorter or longer increments of time.

Simple Loan Payment Calculator
Repayment of a loan requires that the borrower make a monthly payment to the lender. With each monthly payment, you pay down a portion of the loan principal, as well as monthly interest on the outstanding balance. Loan payments are amortized so that the monthly payment remains the same throughout the repayment period, but during that time, the percentage of the amount that goes towards principal will increase as the outstanding loan balance decreases.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Calculator
Adjustable rate mortgages typically offer home buyers the advantage of having a lower mortgage payment during the initial period of the mortgage. Adjustable rate mortgages are generally offered on a 1, 3, 5 or 7-year basis. Once the initial period expires, the mortgage rate will reset at then current interest rate levels. Depending on the direction interest rates are taking, these resets can result in higher or lower monthly payments to the borrower. This adjustable rate mortgage analyzer will help you understand the implication of your adjustable rate terms by showing what your monthly payment will be under different scenarios.

Debt-to-Income Ratio: Calculate Debt-to-Income for Mortgage
Your debt-to-income ratio is a metric that lenders consider when approving a loan such as a mortgage, car loans or personal loans. You may be wondering “what is a good debt-to-income ratio?” Typically, lenders want to see an overall ratio of 36% or less with no more than 28% going towards housing expenses.

Loan Comparison Calculator
As you determine which loan terms to choose, the choices you make can have a significant difference regarding what your monthly payments will be and what the costs of the loan will be once the loan is paid off.

HELOC Calculator: Home Equity Line of Credit Calculator
The amount of equity available for a home equity loan or home equity line of credit is determined by the loan-to-value ratio of the home and the ratio requirements of the lender. A loan-to-value ratio is calculated by taking total mortgage debt (including any second mortgages or existing home equity loans) and dividing it by the current, appraised value of the home. The size of a home equity loan or line of credit will also depend on the loan-to-value requirements of the lender. Higher loan-to-value requirements can result in larger home equity loans or lines of credit.

Loan Calculator with Extra Payments
If you're trying to pay down some debt, you might be wondering what the impact would be if you simply increased your monthly payment each month by just a little, or even a lot. When you increase your monthly payment, the amount of the increase gets applied directly to reducing the amount owed, or principle. Reducing the amount of money you owe will reduce your interest charges each month, as the interest rate will be applied only to the outstanding loan balance. An increase in your monthly payment will lessen the amount of interest charges you will pay over the repayment period and shorten the number of months it will take to pay off the loan.
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How to Get the Best Mortgage Rates
For homeowners, a common financial goal is to pay off the mortgage as soon as possible and avoid paying extra interest. The lower the interest rates, the less you will owe down the line. That’s why it’s important to find a loan with the lowest possible interest rates, usually represented as annual percentage rate (APR), and other fees associated with the lending process. Use this guide to help you find the best mortgage rates to save money over time.

How Much Equity Do I Need for a Home Equity Loan?
One upside to owning a home is that you can start building equity. Once you pay off a certain percentage of your mortgage, you can use this equity to borrow money against your property by taking out what’s known as a home equity loan. This money is often used by homeowners to make repairs, pay down debt or invest in their education. If you are interested in borrowing against the equity you’ve built up in your home, learn more about how these loans work and how to qualify.

Student Loan Forbearance
Student loan forbearance is a period in which you aren’t required to make a payment on your student loans. You can temporarily make a smaller payment, but the principal amount of the loan will continue to accrue interest. Forbearance can help you reduce your monthly expenses in the short term, however, you won’t make any progress in terms of paying off the loan or loan forgiveness. Learn more about student loan forbearance and when to consider this option.

Credit Card Debt and Your Health
Carrying high credit card debt month to month can have a negative impact on your finances. Credit cards have some of the highest interest rates on the market today, making it more difficult to get out of debt. Carrying around credit card debt can also negatively affect your health. This kind of debt can lead to increased stress and anxiety. If you have credit card debt, learn more about how it can affect your health and what you can do to pay it off.

Difference Between Secured and Unsecured Loan
If you’re in the market for a consumer loan, you may have the option of choosing between what’s known as a secured loan and an unsecured loan. Both types of loans will give you access to funds that you will need to pay back at a later date, but they come with clear differences that every borrower should be aware of. Learn more about the difference between secured and unsecured loans so that you can find the right type of loan for your needs.

Spring Cleaning with the Help of a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
Spring is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to get your home in shape. Spring cleaning is a time for cleaning, organizing and improving your living space. From adding a new deck to renovating your kitchen, there are so many projects to consider. However, spring cleaning home improvements can be costly. Depending on the size and scope of your project, you might need to borrow money. You can use a HELOC to help finance your spring cleaning plans. Learn more about how to use a HELOC to improve your home.
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Holiday Loans: When to Use Them for Holiday Spending
It’s probably no surprise that the holidays tend to be one of the most expensive times of the year. Between holiday shopping, gift-giving and traveling, the holidays can be hard on your bank account. If you’re looking for a temporary way to increase your spending power this holiday season, you might consider using your credit card or applying for a personal loan. Both options can help you cover seasonal expenses, but they come with pros and cons that can have lasting impact on your finances.

Choosing a Credit Card: What Credit Card Should I Get?
Interested in signing up for a new credit card? Choosing a credit card can be daunting for some consumers. With so many vendors and options to choose from, these cards may look alike. However, every type of option comes with its pros and cons. Making the right decision all depends on your finances and what you’re looking to achieve with the card. From credit scores, interest rates, and valuable rewards, the terms of the card can have a major impact on your finances. Use this guide to find the right credit card based on your needs and lifestyle.

What Is a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) and What Can You Use It For?
Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) have a wide variety of uses. Read this article to learn more about how they work and how they can help you tackle your next project.

Paying Off Holiday Loans
Now that the holidays are over, many Americans are winding down from the celebrations and family time that come this time of year. The extra shopping, eating and travel are fun, but can take a toll on your finances. It’s now time to get back on track. From credit card bills to paying off your holiday loans, use these tips to get out of debt as soon as possible.

How to Get the Best Mortgage Rates
For homeowners, a common financial goal is to pay off the mortgage as soon as possible and avoid paying extra interest. The lower the interest rates, the less you will owe down the line. That’s why it’s important to find a loan with the lowest possible interest rates, usually represented as annual percentage rate (APR), and other fees associated with the lending process. Use this guide to help you find the best mortgage rates to save money over time.

DTI Calculator: Try Our Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
If you’re hoping to get a home loan, auto loan or debt consolidation loan, there’s one important number lenders will want to take a close look at. That number is your debt-to-income ratio (DTI.) Even if your credit report is squeaky clean, your DTI is a good indicator of whether or not you’re overextended and might have trouble with additional monthly debt payments like house or car loans.

Difference Between Secured and Unsecured Loan
If you’re in the market for a consumer loan, you may have the option of choosing between what’s known as a secured loan and an unsecured loan. Both types of loans will give you access to funds that you will need to pay back at a later date, but they come with clear differences that every borrower should be aware of. Learn more about the difference between secured and unsecured loans so that you can find the right type of loan for your needs.

How Much Equity Do I Need for a Home Equity Loan?
One upside to owning a home is that you can start building equity. Once you pay off a certain percentage of your mortgage, you can use this equity to borrow money against your property by taking out what’s known as a home equity loan. This money is often used by homeowners to make repairs, pay down debt or invest in their education. If you are interested in borrowing against the equity you’ve built up in your home, learn more about how these loans work and how to qualify.

Seven Things That Can Damage Your Credit Score
Credit plays an important role in our financial lives and keeping a good score is essential. Avoid these seven things that can significantly damage your credit score.

Paying Student Loans: How to Pay Back Your Student Loans
Paying off student loans is a top financial priority for many people, but it can be confusing and hard to navigate. Many people don’t understand how student loan debt works or what their options are to reduce their payments. Read this article to learn more about student loans and what options you have to pay them back.

How to Consolidate Credit Card Debt the Right Way
If your credit card debt is getting out of control or you’re having trouble making payments, you should consider consolidating your credit card debt. Depending on which route you take, you may be able to lock in a lower interest rate, which will help you pay off your debt sooner. Consolidating your debt will also make it easier to manage, especially if you have an outstanding balance on more than one card. You will only have to make one monthly payment instead of sending money to multiple creditors. There are several ways to consolidate your credit card debt but choosing the right option depends on how much money you have and the current outstanding balance. Some options could leave you with a higher interest and even more debt, so make sure you understand how these changes will affect your finances. Use this guide to learn how to consolidate your credit card debt the right way.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Rewards Credit Card
Rewards credit cards may sound like free money, but that’s not always the case. Credit card companies typically use rewards programs to attract consumers that like to travel, rack up points or burn through gallons of gas on long road trips. If you sign up for one of these cards, you may be able to earn a free flight, cash back rewards or discounts on gas, groceries and other everyday purchases. Whatever the reward may be, there are a few things you should keep in mind when using these cards. Learn how to make the most of your rewards program without spending more than you need to.
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