 TITLE: Is a Personal Loan the Same as a Consolidation Loan? CONTENT: When to Use a Personal Loan\n---------------------------\nBecause you can use a personal loan for just about anything, it's easy to think up reasons to get one—but that doesn't mean you should. Personal loans can be lifesavers when you need cash to pay for emergencies, such as a dead furnace or a ruptured appendix. If you take out a loan for something more frivolous, you may not qualify for (or be able to afford) a second loan when disaster strikes.\nWith that in mind, if your emergency fund and retirement savings are in good shape and your monthly expenses are manageable, funding a once-in-a-lifetime vacation or the bicycle of your dreams, for instance, could be a good use for a personal loan. END