Loans, by the numbers
Know what a loan really costs before a lender tells you.
Lendmira explains how each kind of loan works, what lenders charge at your credit level, and what the law allows in all 50 states and D.C. Then it shows you the math.
What would your loan cost?
Change the amount, the APR or the term. When the numbers look right, check what lenders would actually offer you.
For every $1 you borrow, you repay —. An example, not an offer: your APR depends on your credit, income and state.
Check your rate for this loanNo credit check here
Check your rate
Tell us about the loan and lenders working with Lendmira can show you what they offer. Lendmira doesn't check your credit, and you don't have to accept anything.
- 1 The loan: amount, purpose, credit range, ZIP.
- 2 Your contact details and consent.
- 3 Lenders contact you with options. Compare APRs before you apply.
Lendmira is not a lender, does not make credit decisions and is not paid by you. Lenders that contact you set their own rates and terms and may check your credit before making an offer. How we make money.
Loans, by what you need them for
Typical APRs, terms and the trade-offs of each, with alternatives that cost less.
Personal loans, by what they pay for
Loans backed by your car or home
Business borrowing
Start from your credit score
Your credit range sets which lenders say yes and what they charge. Pick yours for realistic rates and the moves that improve them.
How to borrow well
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How to get a loan
From budget to signature in order, including the four numbers every loan disclosure must show.
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Prequalification explained
A soft-check rate estimate, not an offer. Why a 14% estimate can become 19% and how to shop around.
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Secured vs. unsecured loans
Collateral can cut your rate, as with 7.17% car loans vs 11.90% personal loans. Here's what you risk for it.
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Cosigners and co-borrowers
A cosigner can owe the full balance, fees included. What the required notice says and how to get released.
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Comparing loan offers
Three $10,000 quotes worked out: the lowest rate had a 14.06% APR, and the lowest payment cost $1,064.76 more.
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APR vs. interest rate
A 4% fee turns a 9% rate into an 11.81% APR over 36 months, and 16.77% over 12. The math, step by step.
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Origination fees
A 6% fee on $10,000 at 12% means $9,400 in hand and a 16.36% APR. How to weigh a loan with a fee.
When debt gets heavy
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Payoff strategies
Avalanche vs snowball, worked out: highest rate first saved $592 in our three-debt example.
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Settlement vs consolidation
Settlement, debt management plans and consolidation loans compared: fees, taxes and credit damage.
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Missed a payment
What happens after a missed payment, and why acting before it's 30 days late protects your credit.
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Hardship and forbearance
How payment pauses and hardship plans work, and their cost: deferring two car payments added $222 in our example.
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Debt collectors and your rights
Validation notices, the 30-day dispute window, the 7-calls-in-7-days rule and how to complain.
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Old debt and time limits
Most states give collectors 3–6 years to sue. What can restart the clock, and why it's not the 7-year credit rule.
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Loan scams
Upfront fees, gift card demands and fake collectors: how to spot loan scams and where to report them.
- Loan payment calculator The monthly payment, total interest and payoff date for any amount, APR and term.
- APR calculator with fees What an origination fee does to the real yearly cost of a loan, laid out like the disclosure lenders must give you.
- Amortization schedule Every payment split into principal and interest, month by month and year by year.
- Debt consolidation calculator Your current debts against one fixed-rate loan: monthly payment, payoff date and total cost, fee included.
- How much can I borrow? The largest loan a monthly budget supports at a given APR and term, and the cash it puts in your account.
- Early payoff calculator How much time and interest extra monthly payments or a lump sum take off a loan.
What changed lately
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· Rates
Fed raises its benchmark rate to 3.75%–4%Rates on variable-rate debt such as HELOCs and credit cards tend to rise after a hike, while the rate on a fixed-rate loan you already have doesn't change.
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· State law
Oregon closes the out-of-state bank rate loopholeIf you live in Oregon, an online consumer finance loan priced above 36% is likely a violation, and you can report it to the Division of Financial Regulation.
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· Court ruling
Full Tenth Circuit to rehear Colorado's rate opt-out caseColorado borrowers may still see out-of-state bank loans priced above Colorado's own limits while the case is pending.
Rules change. We'll tell you when.
A short email when a lending law or rate moves in a way that matters, about twice a month. No loan offers.
Get the newsletterLending laws for 50 states and D.C. are on the state map.