Neil Prasad
Personal Finance Writer
CPA (inactive), MBA
25 Articles Published
About Neil
Got my CPA, worked in corporate finance for 6 years, realized I hated it. Pivoted to financial writing because I actually like explaining things. My CPA is inactive now but the knowledge stuck.
Areas of Expertise
Experience
I write about personal finance because corporate accounting taught me how money actually works, even if I never want to do another audit.
Articles by Neil
Understanding Loan Amortization: A Complete Guide
Learn how loan amortization works and why understanding your payment breakdown can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.
Read Article →Personal Loan Rates Guide: What You Need to Know Before Borrowing
With personal loan rates averaging 12.25% today, understanding how to get the best rate can save you thousands. Learn what lenders look for and how to qualify for rates below 6.5%.
Read Article →Debt Consolidation Strategies That Work
With U.S. household debt at $18.39 trillion, strategic debt consolidation can save thousands in interest. Learn proven approaches to simplify your debts and accelerate payoff.
Read Article →How to Eliminate High-Interest Debt: A Practical Action Plan
High-interest debt at 20%+ can trap you in endless payment cycles. Learn proven strategies to attack and eliminate expensive debt systematically.
Read Article →Small Business Loan Options: Finding the Right Financing
From SBA loans to business lines of credit, explore financing options for small businesses with rates from 6-30% depending on qualification and loan type.
Read Article →Managing Medical Debt: Practical Solutions and Strategies
Medical debt affects millions. Learn negotiation tactics, payment plans, and programs that can reduce or eliminate healthcare debt.
Read Article →The Risks of Cosigning a Loan: What You Need to Know
Cosigning helps others qualify for loans but puts your credit and finances at serious risk. Learn the obligations and alternatives before saying yes.
Read Article →Emergency Fund vs Debt Payoff: Making the Right Choice
Should you build savings or pay off debt first? Learn the strategic approach that balances emergency protection with debt reduction.
Read Article →Debt Settlement: Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives
Debt settlement can reduce what you owe but severely damages credit and has tax implications. Understand the full picture before pursuing settlement.
Read Article →Loan Prepayment Strategies: Save Thousands in Interest
Strategic extra payments can save tens of thousands in interest and shave years off your mortgage. Learn bi-weekly payments, principal-only payments, and lump sum strategies.
Read Article →Understanding Interest Rate Trends: How Fed Policy Affects Your Loans
Federal Reserve policy drives interest rates on mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. Learn how rate changes impact your borrowing decisions today.
Read Article →How Much House Can I Afford? Complete 2026 Guide
Learn exactly how much house you can afford based on your income, debts, and down payment. Includes the 28/36 rule, real examples by salary, and calculator.
Read Article →How to Calculate Your Mortgage Payment (With Formula & Examples)
Learn the exact formula lenders use to calculate your monthly mortgage payment. Includes step-by-step examples, PITI breakdown, and how small rate changes cost you thousands.
Read Article →Free Mortgage Calculator: Estimate Your Monthly Payment in Seconds
Use our free mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly payment. Understand principal, interest, taxes, and insurance with real 2026 rate data.
Read Article →15-Year Mortgage Rates: Is a Shorter Loan Right for You?
As of April 2026, the 15-year rate sits 69 basis points below the 30-year. On a $400K loan, that spread means $307,000 in savings — and $808 more per month. Here's who should take that deal.
Read Article →Home Loans for Bad Credit: Your Options in 2026
A 561 credit score doesn't have to mean renting forever. FHA loans accept scores down to 500, VA loans have no official minimum, and targeted credit work can move you into better rates within months.
Read Article →Refinance Calculator: Is Refinancing Worth It for You?
With 5.4 million homeowners now holding refinanceable mortgages, the math on refinancing has changed. Here's how to calculate whether it makes financial sense for you.
Read Article →Subprime Mortgages: What They Are & Lessons from 2008
Subprime mortgages grew from 5% of the market in 1994 to 20% by 2006 — then collapsed the global financial system. Here's what happened, why, and what replaced them.
Read Article →Home Buying Process: 12 Steps From Pre-Approval to Closing
Only 21% of 2025 homebuyers were first-timers — the lowest since 1981, per NAR. The buyers who succeed follow a specific sequence. Here are the 12 steps, in order, with what actually matters at each one.
Read Article →When to Refinance Your Mortgage: The Right Time to Refi
The break-even calculation tells you everything you need to know about refinancing. Here's the exact math, the 5 scenarios where refinancing makes clear sense, and when to wait.
Read Article →30-Year vs 15-Year Mortgage: Which Saves You More Money?
At current rates — 15-year at 5.65%, 30-year at 6.50% — a 15-year mortgage saves roughly $289,000 in interest on a $350,000 loan. But that doesn't automatically make it the right choice for everyone.
Read Article →How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage: Step-by-Step Guide
Mortgage pre-approval takes 1-3 days and dramatically improves your position as a buyer. Here's exactly what lenders check, what documents you need, and how to shop multiple lenders without hurting your credit.
Read Article →DTI Calculator: Calculate Your Debt-to-Income Ratio
The 43% DTI rule has more exceptions than most borrowers realize. Here's what lenders actually look at, what counts as debt, and exactly how to improve your ratio before applying.
Read Article →Fed Rate & Mortgage Rates: How the Federal Reserve Affects Your Loan
The Fed cut rates three times in late 2024 — and mortgage rates went up. Understanding why this paradox happens is the most important thing any homebuyer can know about today's rate environment.
Read Article →Mortgage for Self-Employed: How to Qualify Without W-2s
Self-employed borrowers face a paradox: aggressive tax deductions reduce qualifying income. Here's exactly how lenders calculate your income, what loan options exist, and how to strategically prepare your application.
Read Article →