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 448 Articles To Date

Blog

253 views

3 min read

Social Security Benefit Cuts Could Hit Americans by 2032

Social Security Benefit Cuts Could Hit Americans by 2032

Social Security benefits could be cut by 22% in 2032 unless Congress steps in with legislation to keep the program fully funded. The Old Age and... read more »

By: Lucy Lazarony • 6/30/26

Study

225 views

9 min read

Best States to Save for a Home Down Payment in 2026

Best States to Save for a Home Down Payment in 2026

Saving for a down payment on a home has become one of the biggest financial hurdles facing Americans. While incomes vary from state to state, so... read more »

By: Lynn Cadet • 6/29/26

Guide

4,518 views

7 min read

How to Organize Your Debts Before Starting DIY Credit Repair (5 Steps)

How to Organize Your Debts for DIY Credit Repair

Whenever I’ve talked with someone about credit repair over the years, inevitably, the biggest hurdle they face is getting started. Debt and bad... read more »

By: Gerri Detweiler • 6/19/26

Guide

3,520 views

5 min read

4 Reasons Why Credit Reports Sometimes Show Old Debts as New (And How to Fix It)

Why Credit Reports Sometimes Show Old Debts as New

No matter how bad your credit is now, there’s an off-ramp in the future. Federal law prohibits credit bureaus from reporting most negative... read more »

By: Gerri Detweiler • 6/18/26

Study

5,922 views

7 min read

1 in 3 Americans Would Have a Baby for $1,000 — Even Though It Costs $300K to Raise One

1 in 3 Americans Would Have a Baby for $1,000 — Even Though It Costs $300K to Raise One

Despite a $1,000 government incentive, most Americans remain hesitant to have more children. A recent BadCredit.org study finds that 1 in 3... read more »

By: Lynn Cadet • 6/11/26

Guide

5,775 views

11 min read

How to Use “Credit Utilization Zones” to Target Credit Score Increases

How to Use Credit Utilization Zones to Target Score Increases

When it comes to credit, I think I’ve heard all the rumors and partial truths by now. This myth is among them: “The only way to have a high... read more »

By: Erica Sandberg • 6/4/26

Blog

8,658 views

5 min read

7 Million SAVE Borrowers Face a 90-Day Clock Starting July 1

7 Million SAVE Borrowers Face a 90-Day Clock Starting July 1

The U.S. Department of Education is sending a second round of notices to about 7 million SAVE plan borrowers before official transition letters... read more »

By: Adam West • 6/4/26

Blog

11,394 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

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