UK money guides

Plain-English UK guides to the cost of borrowing and the terms that matter.

Guides 1–9 of 12

UK · Understanding cost

APR vs interest rate

Understand the rate, the fees and the figure you can compare.

Updated 21 Aug 2026
UK · Understanding cost

The total cost of a loan

Look beyond the monthly payment to everything you will repay.

Updated 21 Aug 2026
UK · Safer decisions

When not to borrow

Recognise when another loan could make a shortfall worse.

Updated 21 Aug 2026
UK · Applications

Soft vs hard credit checks

Understand how eligibility checks differ from full applications.

Updated 21 Aug 2026
UK · Debt consolidation

Before consolidating debt

Check the full cost, the term and the risk of borrowing again.

Updated 21 Aug 2026
UK · Loan types

Secured vs unsecured loans

What changes when an asset backs your borrowing.

Updated 21 Aug 2026
UK · Safer decisions

Can you afford the repayments?

Build a realistic budget and test it against a difficult month.

Updated 21 Aug 2026
UK · Managing a loan

Repaying a loan early

Get a settlement figure and work out the actual saving.

Updated 22 Aug 2026
UK · Loan types

Personal loan or credit card?

Compare fixed repayments, promotional rates and flexibility.

Updated 21 Aug 2026