Taking out a personal loan is a big decision, regardless of your reason for borrowing. While a mortgage or auto loan are big commitments that people may plan for years in advance, life isn’t always predictable when it comes to other expenses.

Most people have credit cards to cover small expenses that come up, but for larger expenses, a personal loan may be ideal. Here’s a list of ten reasons to get a personal loan in 2021.

Debt consolidation is one of the most common reasons for taking out a personal loan. If you have one or more credit cards with high-interest rates and high balances, take a look at your monthly finance charge compared to your payment. You may be surprised, and not in a pleasant way.

If you’re making minimum payments toward your credit card balance, you’re not making much headway at all. You may find that the finance charges offset a big portion of your payment even when you’re doubling the minimum.

Personal loans can save you thousands of dollars in the long run, but the biggest benefit is that you can have a single monthly payment and a loan maturity date to know exactly when the debt will be paid off.

Insurance premiums can be so high that many individuals opt for less insurance coverage to save money. Even with good coverage, there are times when your deductible is high enough that a medical emergency can put your finances over the edge.

Rather than putting a major medical expense on a high-interest credit card or dipping into your savings, a personal loan can ensure that you get the care you need while not breaking the bank.

Unexpected automotive expenses can easily wreak havoc on your personal finances. When your vehicle is under warranty, you don’t have to worry about more than basic maintenance and buying fuel. But what happens when an unanticipated repair isn’t covered, or your warranty runs out?

Getting stuck with a large auto expense is a hassle and can cause other issues, including getting to and from work. The stress might lead you to just want to trade in your car for a new one, but a personal loan may be a better solution. With a personal loan, you can take out only the amount you need to cover the work that needs to be done, which will save you a lot of money in comparison to getting a new car.

When a water heater goes out, an air conditioning unit needs to be replaced, or any other major thing happens around the house, it’s easy to let panic set in. Even non-emergencies like your homeowner’s association complaining about the faded paint on your house can cause undue stress.

Whether you have a leaky roof or decide you really want that new deck for your backyard, a personal loan can be an affordable way to get things done right now, while also adding to the value of your home.

It’s never a topic you want to discuss, but it’s something many people are not prepared for. When a loved one passes away, expenses can get out of hand quickly.

A death in the family is already one of the most stressful situations anyone can go through, so a personal loan to cover funeral expenses can make the costs much easier to deal with while allowing you to grieve in peace.

A wedding is one of the most joyous times of your life. It can also be very expensive. Although starting your marriage in debt isn’t ideal, a small personal loan can give you the wedding of your dreams, while allowing you to pay for it over time.

The same is true if someone in your family is getting married and you want to help them avoid getting into debt themselves. Covering a portion of someone’s wedding can be the greatest gift you’ll ever give.

Many experts advise against taking out loans to cover vacations—it’s better to save up enough money to take a vacation without going into any debt in the process.

However, life isn’t always perfect and sometimes a honeymoon, family reunion, or other special occasions will pop up that you haven’t saved for. A personal loan with small monthly payments can help you enjoy a much-needed getaway and pay it off before you schedule the next vacation.

Ideally, you’d want to save enough money to cover all of your moving expenses. Starting a new life in a new location is stressful enough without being saddled with new debt.

Sometimes life changes without warning, or we need to just pick up and relocate. From a moving truck to new appliances, to other unforeseen expenses, moving can become surprisingly expensive quickly. A personal loan can make the process much easier, and in most cases, whatever you don’t spend can be paid back into the loan once your move is completed to speed up the pay-off.

Once in a while, we run into that one expensive item we feel like we just have to purchase—whether it’s a genuine need or a simple want.

A riding mower, a big-screen TV, or any other big-ticket item might overload your credit card or simply cost too much in interest rates to make sense. In situations like this, a personal loan can save you money compared to credit card financing.

Regardless of what you need extra funds for, sometimes you simply don’t have or don’t want to put any specific asset up as collateral. In cases like that, an unsecured personal loan is an ideal solution.

Helix makes applying for a personal loan incredibly quick and easy. There’s no extra paperwork, and you can immediately receive a decision whether you are approved, with the funds deposited into your bank account within one business day.