Ashley Fricker

Senior Editor
Ashley Fricker

About the Author

Ashley works with a team of finance experts and journalists who develop in-depth industry profiles and advice articles read by more than 15 million Americans. Her years of experience reporting on consumer credit scores and reports positions Ashley to make smart recommendations on ways to improve one’s credit and avoid predatory lending. She often serves as an expert source on financial topics for national media outlets, including CNN Money, MarketWatch, Money Matters, ABC News, Kiplinger, and NBC News. Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Latest Posts

Worked On 441 Articles To Date

Blog

437 views

5 min read

Trump’s May 19 Order Pulls Immigration Into Credit Underwriting

Trump's May 19 Order Pulls Immigration Into Credit Underwriting

President Trump signed an executive order directing regulators to provide guidance on how lenders should consider immigration status — including... read more »

By: Adam West • 6/3/26

Study

1,705 views

11 min read

States with the Most Intense Sports Betting Activity

States with the Most Intense Sports Betting Activity

America is currently experiencing a sports betting boom. From 2020 to 2025, the money wagered by Americans on sports bets grew from roughly $20... read more »

By: Lynn Cadet • 5/27/26

Study

8,892 views

3 min read

The ‘GTFO Fund’: 3 in 4 Say You Should Have Money Set Aside to Leave a Relationship

3 in 4 Say You Should Have Money Set Aside to Leave a Relationship

Most people don’t walk into a relationship thinking it will end. Yet protective measures, such as prenups and pet custody agreements, have been... read more »

By: Lynn Cadet • 5/11/26

Guide

12,342 views

7 min read

How to Tell Which Accounts Are Hurting Your Credit the Most

How to Tell Which Accounts Are Hurting Your Credit the Most

Pay down your credit card balances. Pay on time. Don’t close your oldest account. Dispute mistakes on your credit report.  One of the biggest... read more »

By: Gerri Detweiler • 3/31/26

Study

15,930 views

11 min read

31 Eye-Opening Global Poverty Statistics (2025)

Eye-Opening Global Poverty Statistics

If you’re living in the U.S., you may be aware of rising poverty levels. However, you may not know the scale of poverty across the world — and... read more »

By: Zina Kumok • 3/31/26

Guide

16,764 views

5 min read

Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Charge-Off and a Collection on Your Credit Report?

Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Charge-Off and a Collection?

Charge-offs and collections are both bad for your finances, but they aren’t the same thing. When banks or lenders designate your account as... read more »

By: John Ulzheimer • 3/31/26

Guide

12,816 views

7 min read

Why Paying Off Collections Doesn’t Always Raise Your Credit Score

Why Paying Off Collections Doesn’t Always Raise Your Credit Score

Paying off your debt is supposed to make your credit score increase, but what about when it comes to an account that’s in collections? Paying off... read more »

By: Choncé Maddox • 3/30/26

Guide

12,397 views

7 min read

How to Time Credit Applications to Avoid Credit Score Damage (Step-By-Step)

How to Time Credit Applications to Avoid Credit Score Damage

Have you ever thought: “I want a credit card, but every time I apply, I get turned down, and now my credit score is lower!”  This is such a... read more »

By: Erica Sandberg • 3/27/26

spinner