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 477 Articles To Date

Blog

360 views

3 min read

HOA Foreclosure Filings Surge Nearly 40% in Two Years

HOA Foreclosure Filings Jump Nearly 40% in Two Years

In some states, falling behind on homeowners association (HOA) dues could lead to foreclosure on your home or condo, even if you have kept up... read more »

By: Lucy Lazarony • 8/11/26

Study

360 views

5 min read

49% of Parents Delay Bills or Sacrifice Necessities for Back-to-School Costs

49% of Parents Delay Bills or Sacrifice Necessities for Back-to-School Costs

Back-to-school season is here. And while this time is typically filled with excitement of the prospects of a new season and school year ahead,... read more »

By: Lynn Cadet • 8/11/26

Blog

255 views

3 min read

Some Equifax Customers Can Claim Up to $600 by Sept. 1

Some Equifax Customers Can Claim Up to $600 by Sept. 1

Duplicate collection accounts can devastate credit scores. Now, roughly 37,000 consumers caught in an alleged Equifax reporting error may be... read more »

By: Lucy Lazarony • 8/10/26

Blog

1,989 views

3 min read

Auto Loan Payments Have Jumped Nearly 40% Since 2019

Auto Loan Payments Have Jumped Nearly 40% Since 2019

The average monthly payment on a new vehicle loan has climbed to $785 a month, up almost 40% since 2019, according to TransUnion’s Q2 2026 Credit... read more »

By: Lucy Lazarony • 8/6/26

Blog

1,776 views

3 min read

OppFi Bank Deal Could Bring 195% APR Loans Nationwide

OppFi Bank Could Bring Triple-Digit Loans Nationwide

OppFi could bring loans with APRs as high as 195% to borrowers nationwide if federal regulators approve its proposed acquisition of BNC National... read more »

By: Lucy Lazarony • 8/5/26

Study

1,840 views

3 min read

51% of Prediction Market Users Borrowed Money to Fund Bets

51% of Prediction Market Users Borrowed Money to Fund Bets

As prediction markets expand across sports, politics, and current events, some Americans are using them for more than entertainment. They are... read more »

By: Lynn Cadet • 8/5/26

Blog

2,496 views

3 min read

Personal Bankruptcies Rise 12% as Financial Pressure Builds

Personal Bankruptcies Rise 12% as Financial Pressure Builds

Americans filed for bankruptcy far more often in 2025 than they did in 2024, continuing a trend in non-business bankruptcy filings that has seen... read more »

By: Andrew Allen • 8/4/26

Guide

1,680 views

5 min read

4 Reasons Collection Accounts Can Appear Without Notice (And What You Can Do)

4 Reasons Why Collection Accounts Can Appear Without Notice

Collection accounts can quickly tank your credit scores. If one appears on your credit reports unexpectedly, it can also create a moment of... read more »

By: Gerri Detweiler • 8/4/26

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