Useful information
Plain-language guides to mortgages, car loans, credit cards, credit insurance and paying off loans early in the United States — what federal rules say and how lenders’ terms differ.
Mortgages in the US: how they work and how lender terms differ
How a US mortgage works: down payment and PMI, fixed vs. adjustable rates, conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans, closing costs, APR, Loan Estimate and the terms to compare between lenders.
5 min readRead guide →Car loanCar loans in the US: how they work and how lender terms differ
How an auto loan works in the US: the lien on the title, full-coverage and GAP insurance, dealer financing and rate markups, 0% APR vs. cash rebates, long terms, add-ons and the car loan interest deduction.
4 min readRead guide →Credit cardCredit cards in the US: how they work and how issuers’ terms differ
How US credit cards work: grace period, variable APR, minimum payments, cash advances, balance transfers, fees and your rights under the CARD Act — and what to compare between issuers.
4 min readRead guide →InsuranceCredit insurance in the US: types, costs and how lenders differ
PMI, homeowners, flood and title insurance, credit life and disability, GAP and debt protection: what US lenders can require, what is optional, how it affects APR and how refunds work.
4 min readRead guide →Early payoffPaying off a loan early in the US and how lender rules differ
Extra principal payments, recasting and full payoff in the US: federal limits on prepayment penalties, how mortgage, auto, student and personal loans differ, and when paying early makes sense.
3 min readRead guide →This material is for general information only, describes US rules in effect on the publication date, and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Federal and state rules, programs and lender terms change — always check your loan documents, your lender’s current terms and official sources such as the CFPB and IRS.