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Car financing guides

Clear, plain-English guides to help you understand car loans, get a better rate and keep your payment affordable — updated for 2026.

The basics

• How auto loans work — principal, interest, terms and amortization.
• APR vs interest rate — what the difference means.
• How much car can I afford? — the 20/4/10 rule.
• New vs used car loans — rates, depreciation and cost.

Saving money

• How to lower your car payment — seven practical levers.
• Getting a car loan with bad credit — what to expect and how to improve your odds.
• Should you refinance your car loan? — when it makes sense.