In today’s fast-paced world, when unexpected expenses come knocking—be it a medical bill, car repair, or a gap before the next paycheck—many Americans are turning to online loan apps for quick, hassle-free solutions. These platforms, accessible right from your smartphone, have made it easier than ever to get small loans without walking into a bank or dealing with lengthy paperwork.
One of the first big decisions many borrowers face — whether it’s for a home loan, personal loan, or business financing — is choosing between a fixed interest rate and a floating (or variable) interest rate. It sounds technical, but the choice you make can have a long-lasting impact on how much you pay over the life of your loan.
One of the most common questions I get as a financial adviser is this: “I have bad credit — can I still get a loan?”
It’s usually asked with a lot of hesitation, as if the answer is going to be a flat “no.” But the truth is, getting a loan with a low credit score is definitely possible — you just need to be a little more strategic, a little more prepared, and very realistic about the options available.
A few years ago, when I had just started working as a junior financial adviser, I got a call from a friend who had just landed her first job. She was thinking about renovating her apartment and needed some extra funds. Her question was simple — “Should I get a personal loan or just put it all on my credit card?”
For most Americans, the term “credit score” brings a mix of confusion, anxiety, and frustration. You might check your score on a free app and wonder, why did it drop 20 points?, or hear your bank say, “We can’t approve the loan because your score is too low.” But what actually goes into a credit score? And more importantly — how do you improve it?
Most of us know we should have a budget — but few of us actually stick to one. And it’s not because we’re lazy or bad with money. It’s usually because the budget we tried to follow was too strict, too confusing, or just didn’t fit our real life.
I learned this the hard way after moving out on my own in my early 20s. I created a “perfect” spreadsheet and stuck to it for two weeks
Your 20s are full of firsts — your first job, first apartment, maybe your first car or student loan payment. It’s also the decade where your money habits are built. The financial choices you make now may seem small, but they can shape your life for the next 30–40 years.
As someone who made a mix of smart and not-so-smart choices in my 20s, I’ve seen both sides of the coin. This isn’t just another list of things you should do