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Sally Herigstad

Sally Herigstad

Sally Herigstad is a personal finance writer at BestMoney.com, specializing in student loans. She has been writing about personal finance since 1998 and is the author of Help! I Can’t Pay My Bills. A licensed real estate broker in Washington state and a retired CPA, Sally combines decades of experience with practical insights to help readers navigate financial challenges.

Posts by Sally Herigstad

Credible Review

Credible is an online student loan refinancing marketplace. You can use Credible to fill out a quick, simple form and see persoanlized prequalified rates from top lenders in minutes, without sending your information directly to lenders or affecting your credit score. If you like a rate, you can apply and get your final offer in as little as one business day.
Read ReviewOct 20, 2025
credible

SoFi Review

SoFi is an online student loan refinancing company, with over 515,000 members who have refinanced over $44 billion in student loans. SoFi offers approval within minutes and funding of your current loans within 7 to 15 days. Student loan refinancing is recommended for borrowers who qualify for lower interest by refinancing than on their current loans.
Read ReviewOct 20, 2025
sofi

CIT Bank Review

CIT Bank is an online bank that allows you to access banking services securely and conveniently, without leaving home. CIT Bank’s streamlined service model allows it to offer higher interest rates on savings accounts and lower service fees than many of its competitors. CIT Bank is a division of First Citizns Bank.
Read ReviewOct 9, 2025
cit-bank-platinum-savings

CIT Bank Review

CIT Bank is an online bank that allows you to access banking services securely and conveniently, without leaving home. CIT Bank’s streamlined service model allows it to offer higher interest rates on savings accounts and lower service fees than many of its competitors. CIT Bank is a division of First Citizns Bank.
Read ReviewOct 9, 2025
cit-bank-platinum-savings

CIT Bank CD Review

CIT Bank is an online bank that allows you to access banking services securely and conveniently, without leaving home. CIT Bank’s streamlined service model allows it to offer higher interest rates on savings accounts and lower service fees than many of its competitors. CIT Bank is a subsidiary operated by CIT Group, Inc., a financial holding company with over a century of experience.
Read ReviewSep 23, 2025
cit-bank-cd

CIT Bank Review

CIT Bank is an online bank that allows you to access banking services securely and conveniently, without leaving home. CIT Bank’s streamlined service model allows it to offer higher interest rates on savings accounts and lower service fees than many of its competitors. CIT Bank is a division of First Citizns Bank.
Read ReviewSep 15, 2025
cit-bank

Universal Credit Review

Universal Credit offers access to credit when you need it, no matter what you need it for. You get a fixed rate and clear pay off date. Universal Credit is powered by Upgrade, Inc., a neobank in business since 2017. It partners with banks and other financial institutions and organizations to originate loans.
Read ReviewSep 11, 2025
universal-credit

Branch Insurance Review

Branch Insurance was founded in 2017 and is an agent of General Security National Insurance Company (GSNIC). Branch offers rapid underwriting and quoting, using just a few pieces of your information. They can give you a firm quote for home and auto bundled insurance within seconds, and their streamlined process makes it possible for them to offer you rates, fast.
Read ReviewSep 10, 2025
branch

Earnest Student Loan Review

With Earnest, you can apply and see student refinancing rates you qualify for in as little as 2 minutes. They are a direct lender, so your loan is funded by Earnest as well as serviced by them. Earnest also has programs to help you manage student loan repayments, such as the ability to skip one payment per year.
Read ReviewSep 2, 2025
earnest

XE Money Transfer Review

XE has been in business since 1993. The company is part of Euronet Worldwide (NASDAQ: EEFT), which processed $115 Billion last year as the third largest money transfer business in the world. XE has built a reputation with years of experience. XE lets you make online international money transfers anytime, to over 190 countries and in 139 currencies.
Read ReviewJun 25, 2025
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How to Send Your Kid to College Without Breaking the Bank

You want to help your kids through college, but what’s the best way? You could give them money, or co-sign on a student loan. Or just offer advice on how to pay for college.
Read MoreMay 16, 2025
Pay for kids college

What Is No Exam Life Insurance

It’s easy to put off buying life insurance, even when you know how important it is. The requirement by some insurers that you have a medical exam before you are approved can be just one more obstacle in the way. Scheduling an exam and taking off work can take too much time.
Read MoreApr 1, 2025
No-Exam Life Insurance

Is Now a Good Time to Refinance My Mortgage?

With the consistent rise in interest rates, people are considering refinancing to keep rates low. But is it the right time for you? Homeowners refinance for many different reasons, including changes in their financial situation and long-term goals. While refinancing might be a good idea for some people, it doesn’t mean that it’s the right time for everyone.
Read MoreSep 12, 2024
Is it the right time to refinance?

How to Choose a Mortgage Lender for a First-Time Home Buyer

To first-time home buyers, the mortgage application process may seem like a whole new world, with different terms and rules to learn, and so many decisions to make. Home buyers not selling a home tend to have smaller down payments, and less-established credit histories. On the other hand, they may qualify for government programs to help them get into a home.
Read MoreNov 21, 2023
Enjoy Your Own Home With the Best Mortgages for First Time Borrowers

How to Send Your Kid to College Without Breaking the Bank

You want to help your kids through college, but what’s the most ideal way? You could give them money, or co-sign on a student loan. Or just offer advice on how to pay for college.
Read MoreMar 19, 2023
Pay for kids college
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