Melissa

Melissa has worked in the financial services industry for several years, and works to help her clients understand the often complex financial vehicles available to them for both lending and investment strategies. She is passionate about financial literacy, and as part owner of her financial planning firm, she strives to educate her clients in a way that empowers them to make the most suitable financial decisions for their unique circumstances.In addition to working with her financial planning clients, Melissa contributes articles to a number of business and finance related sites such as APR finder. To keep up with Melissa’s published work, or to see the occasional puppy cameo, follow her on X.

5 Top High-Yield Online Savings Accounts – April 2025

Regardless of whether interest rates are increasing or decreasing, savers should not expect traditional banks and credit unions to offer high-yield annual percentage yields (APY) on conventional savings accounts. Fortunately, for those who want to earn a little more without taking on the risk of an investment, online savings provide more bang for your saved

Clean Up Digital Life to Protect Your Finances this New Year

In past years, it seemed as though news of a major company’s data breach was announced every other day. Personal identifying information, including payment details, online preferences, usernames and passwords, and even passport details were all compromised throughout the last twelve months. As unfortunate as these breakdowns in security are for businesses, they can wreak

The Truth About Zero Percent Financing Auto Loans

Since the vehicle market has had significant ups and downs over the years, auto dealers have taken a substantial hit in the realm of new car sales. In an effort to incentivize buyers in otherwise stagnant markets, the finance arms in partnership with key dealerships created the 0% auto financing deal. For some car buyers,

How to Overcome Poor Money Management Due to Mental Health Issues

Managing money presents challenges for many individuals, primarily when little to no education is provided on financial literacy throughout childhood or as an adult. Personal financial management may be even more difficult to champion for those struggling with mental health concerns. Several obstacles can complicate one’s financial picture, from problems with executive functioning and memory

3 Best For Sale by Owner Websites

When you’re looking to sell a home, one of the best ways to save money at closing is to do all the legwork yourself. Selling your own home can cut out the expensive middlemen, including real estate agents and brokers. This strategy also ensures you have full control over the advertising, negotiations, and purchase and

How to Reduce the Racial Wealth Gap by Building Generational Wealth

To fully embrace Black History Month, it may be beneficial to take a step back to understand how racial disparities in the United States have wreaked havoc on black and brown families and their financial lives. According to research published in 2016, the gap between black and white families was tenfold. The average net worth

The Pros and Cons of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

Recent news of a multi-billion-dollar deal between financial technology companies sparked renewed conversation about consumer payment options in both e-commerce and traditional retail settings. Square announced a purchase deal to acquire Afterpay, a buy now pay later technology firm, for $29 billion in September 2021, with Square noting the shared desire to offer more payment

How Many FICO Credit Score Models and Versions are There?

FICO, the most commonly used credit score by lenders and creditors, has been around since 1989. Since that time, the credit scoring company has developed and implemented several iterations of the FICO credit score, many of which are still used in evaluating credit applications today. As consumer behaviors change and lending requirements shift, so do