Choosing between secured vs unsecured loans often comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take and whether you have collateral to offer. Secured loans may come with lower rates, while unsecured loans can be faster and easier to get, but usually at a higher cost.

Your debt-to-income ratio is one of the first numbers lenders look at when deciding if you can afford a loan. Learn how DTI is calculated, what counts toward it, and how to improve yours before you apply.