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Brian Acton Bio

Brian Acton

Debt & Financial Relief Expert

Brian Acton is a seasoned personal finance journalist at BestMoney.com who specializes in loans and debt consolidation. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, TIME, USA Today, MarketWatch, Inc. Magazine, HuffPost, and other notable outlets.

Posts by Brian Acton

Do You Have to Pay Taxes on Personal Loans?

Personal loans typically don't create tax complications since they're borrowed money that must be repaid.
Read MoreAug 5, 2026
A financial professional talking about whether you have to pay taxes on personal loans.

Personal Loans: What You Need to Know Before Borrowing

Personal loans offer fixed-rate, fixed-term funding for almost any purpose — here's what to weigh before borrowing.
Read MoreAug 5, 2026
A woman looking for a personal loan chatting to a financial expert.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Personal Loan?

Most personal loans can be approved within minutes and funded within 1–3 business days, especially with online lenders.
Read MoreJul 23, 2026
A woman sitting at her desk trying to figure out how long it takes to get a personal loan.

Debt Consolidation Loans: Should You Apply Now or Wait for the Fed to Cut Interest Rates?

Navigating the 2026 credit market requires balancing the urgency of high-interest debt against the promise of shifting Federal Reserve policies.
Read MoreJul 23, 2026
Debt Consolidation Loans: Should You Apply Now or Wait for the Fed to Cut Interest Rates?

Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean and How They Work (2026)

Your credit score affects everything from loan approvals to the interest rates you pay — and understanding where you fall on the scale is the first step toward better financial decisions.
Read MoreJul 23, 2026
A man sitting at his desk learning about his credit score range and what it means.

How to Pay Off Debt in 2026

Paying off debt has short-term and long-lasting benefits for your finances. You can reduce your monthly bills, putting more money back in your pocket. You can simplify your financial picture by reducing the bill payments you must manage. And you can save hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in interest.
Read MoreJul 15, 2026
How to Get Out of Debt Fast in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide

How Are Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Taxed?

Restricted stock units (RSUs) are a form of equity compensation where a company issues shares of its own stock to employees once certain conditions are met. It’s a good way for employers to attract new talent, retain employees, and motivate workers to meet their performance goals.
Read MoreJun 21, 2026
How Are Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Taxed?

How to Consolidate Payday Loans: A Step-by-Step Guide

Payday loans offer quick cash when you're in a financial bind, but they come with significant drawbacks.
Read MoreJun 16, 2026
How to Consolidate Payday Loans: A Step-by-Step Guide

How Does No Tax on Overtime Work?

A plain-English guide to the new overtime deduction: who qualifies, how much you can deduct, and how to claim it.
Read MoreJun 14, 2026
How Does No Tax on Overtime Work?

How to Consolidate Business Debt

Business debt consolidation combines multiple obligations into a single payment — here's how to choose the right approach.
Read MoreJun 14, 2026
A business owner consolidating business debt.
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