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Financial Literacy - Smart borrowing
TOOLS AND RESOURCES
Smart borrowing tool kit
Use these calculators, work sheets and resources to plot a savvy strategy before you borrow money.
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Smart borrowing
Self-help tools, tips and more
There's a lot more to borrowing money than simply signing on the dotted line. Use these resources to help you calculate loan expenses, choose the right loan and get the best interest rates.
Calculators
Work sheets
Audio/video
Basics
More reading
Glossary
Calculators and decision tools
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Mortgage payment calculator
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Mortgage rate adjustment calculator
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Mortgage refinance calculator
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Home equity loan vs. HELOC
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ARM vs. fixed-rate calculator
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15-year vs. 30-year mortgage
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Mortgage consolidation calculator
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FICO credit score estimator
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Credit card debt payoff calculator
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Should I borrow from my 401(k)?
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The true cost of paying the minimum
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Find the best credit card for you
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Monthly auto loan payment calculator
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Pay points vs. higher interest rate
View calculator archive
Work sheets
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How to get a mortgage
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Save for a down payment
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Interview mortgage lenders
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Compare home equity loan offers
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Questions to ask before refinancing
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Compare credit cards
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How to request a lower interest rate
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Questions to ask lenders
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Reverse mortgage resources
View work sheet archive
Audio
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Frozen HELOC can hurt credit score
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What to do when you're asked for financial help
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Keeping liquid in a home equity freeze
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Canceling credit card could ding score
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Longer car loan can handcuff buyer
View audio archive
Video
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Mortgage Shopping I: type of mortgage
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Mortgage Shopping II: compare offers
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Mortgage Shopping III: lock in rate
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Comparison Shopping Car Loans
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Home Equity vs. Line of Credit
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Elective Surgery Loans
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Co-signing on a car loan
View video archive
Basics
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Mortgage Basics
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Home Equity Basics
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Credit Card Basics
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Debt Management Basics
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College Financing Basics
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Auto Loan Basics
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More Basics
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Audio archive
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Outside resources
Federal government resources
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Information on FHA mortgages
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Loan limits for conventional mortgages
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Jumbo conforming loan limits
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Quick guide to VA home loans
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Obtaining a VA certificate of eligibility (COE)
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FAQs about VA loans
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FTC: choosing a credit card
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The Federal Reserve on HELOCs
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IRS: mortgage interest deduction
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Federal Reserve: FED 101
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Introduction to interest rates
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Federal Reserve monetary policy
Educational resources
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ReverseMortgage.org
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AARP: Understanding credit and debt
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NEFE: Major purchases
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NEFE: Buying a home
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NEFE: All about credit
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AICPA on homeownership
Glossary
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College financing terms
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Credit card contract terms
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Credit card terms
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Credit scoring terms
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Home equity terms
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Mortgage terms
View glossary archive
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
ESSENTIALS
ACTION
Debt management
Identity theft
Retirement
Smart borrowing
Overview: Smart borrowing
Take action
Spotlight
Poll: Smart borrowing
Tools & resources
Investing money
Credit savvy
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