We earn commissions from brands listed on this site, which influences how listings are presented.
Maya Dollarhide

Maya Dollarhide

Consumer Lending Expert

Maya Dollarhide is a writer specializing in personal finance, with a special focus on student loans and debt consolidation and management. She has written for Yahoo Finance, Investopedia, Student Loan Hero, Bankrate, and other publications.

Posts by Maya Dollarhide

Personal Loan Requirements: What Lenders Look For

Knowing personal loan requirements ahead of time means fewer surprises and a stronger application.
Read MoreSep 24, 2026
Woman reviewing personal loan requirements and paperwork at home.

How to Apply for a Personal Loan in 8 Steps

Getting a personal loan comes down to a handful of predictable steps, and knowing them ahead of time can save you both money and stress.
Read MoreSep 24, 2026
Man reviewing personal loan documents and comparing offers on a laptop.

The One-Payment Effect: 70% of U.S. Adults Say Combining Debt Into One Payment Would Reduce Financial Stress

Keeping track of multiple debt payments is harder than it sounds. Even automatic payments can catch you off guard when they hit on different days of the month, draining your checking account when you least expect it.
Read MoreSep 24, 2026
Woman organizing her bills after learning about combining debt into one payment.

What Is a Student Loan and How Do Student Loans Work?

Our guide walks you through federal versus private student loans, how interest and repayment work, and the new rules for borrowers that took effect in 2026.
Read MoreSep 23, 2026
Parent and student reviewing student loan and financial aid options.

Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche: Which Payoff Method Is Right for You?

If you're juggling several balances and only a little extra cash each month, you've probably heard of two approaches: the debt snowball and the debt avalanche. One chases quick wins. The other chases the highest interest rate.
Read MoreSep 22, 2026
Woman comparing the debt snowball and debt avalanche methods to pay off her balances.

Does Debt Consolidation Work? 5 Signs You’ll Actually Stay Out of Debt

A growing pile of credit card bills isn't just about tracking debts, it's about watching interest pile up.
Read MoreSep 22, 2026
Man reviewing his bills to decide if debt consolidation will work for him.

How to Get a Debt Consolidation Loan in 6 Steps

Juggling multiple due dates while interest piles up is exactly the problem a debt consolidation loan is built to solve.
Read MoreSep 14, 2026
Woman reviewing her bills before applying for a debt consolidation loan.

What Is Debt Consolidation and How Does It Work?

More Americans are turning to credit just to cover the basics, from groceries to utility bills, and as those balances stack up at high interest rates, consolidation is one way to make them more manageable.
Read MoreSep 11, 2026
Person comparing debt consolidation loan options.

How to Consolidate Debt While Unemployed: 5 Options to Consider

Debt consolidation while unemployed is still possible when you stabilize cash flow first, document alternative income, and compare five lower-risk paths before you take on a new loan.
Read MoreSep 10, 2026
An unemployed man thinking about his debt consolidation options.

Freedom Debt Relief vs. National Debt Relief: Which Debt Settlement Company Is Better in 2026?

Both companies offer similar debt settlement services, but National Debt Relief edges ahead on customer satisfaction while Freedom Debt Relief leads on scale and digital tools.
Read MoreSep 10, 2026
A woman deciding between Freedom Debt Relief and National Debt Relief for debt settlement.
test