Knowing your loan's interest rate matters, as does learning how that rate is calculated. Interest is either simple or compound. If you have a simple interest loan, interest is based only on the ...

On the surface, an interest rate is just a number. How that number applies to debt or equity opens up a world of possibilities. The first consideration is always whether it’s simple interest vs.

Calculating the interest rate on a personal loan can be difficult. Most lenders use simple interest rather than compound interest, though, which makes the job a little easier. To calculate how much ...

Lenders calculate how much interest you’ll pay with each payment in two main ways: simple or on an amortization schedule. Short-term loans often have simple interest. Larger loans, like mortgages, ...

Caroline Banton has 6+ years of experience as a writer of business and finance articles. She also writes biographies for Story Terrace. Thomas J Catalano is a CFP and Registered Investment Adviser ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Xavier Lorenzo / GettyImages If you're looking for a loan, finding the most affordable ...

Knowing your loan's interest rate matters, as does learning how that rate is calculated. Interest is either simple or compound. Are Personal Loans a Good or Bad Idea? Taking out a personal loan can ...

Simple interest is paid only on the principal, e.g., a $10,000 investment at 5% yields $500 annually. Compound interest accumulates on both principal and past interest, increasing total returns over ...