Key takeaways Multiyear approval for student loans makes it possible for applicants to apply for funding for the duration of their degree program all at once. There are some downsides to using a single lender…

Key takeaways Personal loans come in many forms, including secured and unsecured loans, debt consolidation loans and personal lines of credit. Unsecured personal loans are common among lenders and don’t require collateral. Secured personal loans are less common and require collateral — but usually offer lower interest rates. You can…

Getty Images/Illustration by Bankrate Many investors look to gold as a way to preserve wealth against economic uncertainty and inflation. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to gain exposure to the precious metal, such as gold ETFs and physical gold. Another way to add gold exposure…

Lucy Lambriex/Getty Images Key takeaways Secured loans are popular for startups because they can be easier to qualify for and come with lower interest rates Unsecured loans are harder to obtain for new businesses and often require a personal guarantee Alternative financing options such as crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending, business grants,…