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Maya Dollarhide

Maya Dollarhide

Consumer Lending Expert

Maya Dollarhide is a Journalist for bestmoney.com, specializing in personal finance and consumer lending. She earned her MS in Journalism from Columbia University and has written for TIME, Yahoo Finance, Investopedia, Bankrate, Forbes, CNN, and AARP. Her work focuses on creating SEO-driven content, developing K-12 financial literacy curriculum, and producing B2B content for financial services clients.

Posts by Maya Dollarhide

Can You Get a Second Debt Consolidation Loan?

Yes, you can get a second debt consolidation loan, but qualifying depends on your credit, income, and why the first one didn't finish the job.
Read MoreAug 7, 2026
Person reviewing terms for a second debt consolidation loan.

What Self-Employed Workers Need to Know About Consolidating Debt — and Why Standard Advice Falls Short

When your paycheck goes up and down, it's harder to keep up with bills, and it's also harder to convince a lender you can pay one back on time.
Read MoreAug 6, 2026
Self-employed worker reviewing documents for debt consolidation.

The Summer Debt Trap: Why 45% of U.S. Households Now Find Summer More Stressful Than the Holidays

If you’re lucky, your summer might be filled with long days at the beach, trips abroad or across the country, and evening ice cream cones.
Read MoreAug 6, 2026
Family reviewing summer expenses and the summer debt trap.

The ROI of Higher Ed: Why Over 53% of Grads Say Their Student Loans Were Worth the Cost

A college degree can come with real financial pressure, but the data and the experiences of graduates themselves point to a more grounded and hopeful reality.
Read MoreAug 6, 2026
Recent graduate reviewing student loan repayment options.

JG Wentworth vs. National Debt Relief: Which Debt Settlement Program Fits You?

If you’re struggling to pay down your credit cards or other debt and don’t want to take out any more loans, a debt settlement program could provide you with some relief.
Read MoreAug 5, 2026
Woman reviewing credit card bills while researching a debt settlement program.

RV Loan vs. Personal Loan: How to Finance Your Camper or Motorhome

An RV can cost as much as a house, but financing one works nothing like a mortgage or a standard car loan.
Read MoreJul 21, 2026
Person reviewing RV loan financing options next to a camper.

The Hidden Nearly $700-a-Month Cost of College

Most parents plan for the major college milestones they can see on paper. But it's the invisible, day-to-day living expenses that frequently catch freshman families off guard.
Read MoreJul 20, 2026
College student reviewing monthly expenses and budget.

Should You Take a 401(k) Hardship Withdrawal?

A 401(k) hardship withdrawal sounds like an easy fix, but taxes and penalties can eat up nearly a third of what you take out. Before you tap your retirement account, it's worth running the numbers on a 401(k) loan, the SECURE 2.0 $1,000 emergency withdrawal, or a personal loan instead.
Read MoreJul 20, 2026
Person reviewing financial paperwork before deciding on a 401(k) hardship withdrawal.

The New Debt Trap: When Back-to-School Buy Now Pay Later Crosses the Line

BNPL can make back-to-school shopping feel more affordable, but stacking multiple loans across apps can lead to overdraft fees, credit risk, and missed payments.
Read MoreJul 20, 2026
Parent considering buy now pay later at checkout while back-to-school shopping.

Buy Now, Pay Later Debt Consolidation: What to Do When BNPL Balances Start to Multiply

BNPL balances pile up fast, and nearly one in four users fall behind on payments as a result. Consolidating with a personal loan, balance-transfer card, or debt management plan can simplify multiple due dates into one manageable payment.
Read MoreJul 20, 2026
Young man reviewing multiple Buy Now Pay Later balances on his phone and laptop to explore BNPL debt consolidation options.
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