A holiday sinking fund is a mini-savings goal where you set aside extra cash to cover your anticipated extra spending in December. Even if it feels like it’s too late to make any real progress, there are actually several ways to cut back, earn more, and save plenty of money before Santa comes down the chimney. Start with a clear holiday budget, then create a plan for the next three months. Temporarily cut back recurring expenses, implement a no-spend challenge or two, lower your grocery bill, and declutter your home to earn some extra cash. In just three months, your holiday sinking fund will look merry and bright!

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The Prosper Performance Updates are designed to help our investor community better understand performance trends and provide important insights into the trends we are seeing and the information needed to invest through the Prosper platform.

The post Prosper Performance Update – July 2026 appeared first on Prosper.

Protecting your finances online starts with a few simple habits: use strong, unique passwords, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), monitor your accounts regularly, and think twice before sharing personal information. This guide explains the most common financial scams, how cybercriminals target different age groups, and practical ways to protect children, teens, older adults, and yourself from fraud and identity theft. It also covers what to do if your financial information is compromised, including when to freeze your credit, contact your bank, and report scams to the appropriate agencies.

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Avoid common back-to-school shopping mistakes by creating a budget that works for you. Start by calculating how much available cash you have to spend, then get creative to stick to the plan. One common mistake is to buy supplies you already have. Also remember to take advantage of hand-me-downs and secondhand stores. Starting the school year off on strong financial footing means less stress for you and your kids!

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A debt-to-income (DTI) ratio measures how much of your gross monthly income goes toward required debt payments. Lenders use it to help determine whether you can comfortably afford a new loan, making it an important factor when applying for a mortgage, personal loan, auto loan, or credit card. This guide explains how to calculate your DTI, what counts toward the calculation, what lenders consider a good ratio for different loan types, how the 43% mortgage rule works, and practical strategies you can use to lower your DTI before applying for financing.

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Asking for a higher salary at your current job or when offered a new job can make a big difference in your financial well-being. But don’t let yourself be led by emotion; instead, research market data and leverage new pay transparency laws to justify your value. Also walk in the door with proof of your experience and project outcomes. With the right data and a willingness to negotiate benefits beyond pay, you could end up with a healthy total compensation package that gets better year after year.

The post How to Negotiate Your Salary and Ask for a Raise with Confidence appeared first on Prosper.

The time it takes to improve your credit score depends on what's holding it back. If you're simply paying down high credit card balances, you may see results in as little as 30 to 45 days after your lender reports the new balance. Recovering from missed payments, collections, or bankruptcy, however, can take months or even years.

Here's a realistic timeline for common credit situations and the steps that can help you improve your score faster.

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Saving money as a wedding guest helps you enjoy the experience instead of worrying about your budget the entire time. The biggest savings come from financially preparing as soon as you hear about upcoming nuptials and being selective about which events you attend. Also consider alternatives to buying a new outfit for every event and splitting costs like lodging and gifts with friends. It’s never worth going into debt to attend a wedding, so stick to what’s realistic for you. True friends (and family) will understand!

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The Prosper Performance Updates are designed to help our investor community better understand performance trends and provide important insights into the trends we are seeing and the information needed to invest through the Prosper platform.

The post Prosper Performance Update – June 2026 appeared first on Prosper.

Prosper Marketplace, a fintech pioneer providing access to affordable financial solutions to consumers across the credit spectrum, today announced an expansion of the personal loan* repayment terms available to borrowers, now up to six years (72 months).

The post Prosper Expands Personal Loan Repayment Terms to Six Years appeared first on Prosper.