Choncé Maddox

Savings Expert
Choncé Maddox

About the Author

Choncé is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) and a nationally recognized personal finance and budgeting expert. She's paid off $50,000+ of personal debt and her debt story has been highlighted in Essence Magazine and on "Good Morning America" as part of its 2020 Debt-Free Decade series. Her work has been featured on sites, including Business Insider, LendingTree, Credit Sesame, Barclaycard, and The New York Post. Choncé was named one of the top financial experts to follow on Instagram by Black Enterprise.

Latest Posts

Worked On 17 Articles To Date

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

10,725 views

7 min read

Why Applying for Multiple Loans Can Hurt Your Credit Score

Why Applying for Multiple Loans Can Hurt Your Credit Score

We’ve all had that moment when we decide to get serious about a big purchase. Maybe it’s a new car, a big piece of furniture, or a new shed for... read more »

By: Choncé Maddox • 3/26/26

Guide

47,850 views

7 min read

What To Do When You Can’t Qualify for a Balance Transfer or Personal Loan (Real Strategies That Work)

Can’t Qualify for a Balance Transfer or Personal Loan? Here's What to Do

I get balance transfer offers in the mail all the time, and sometimes I even see these offers in my online dashboard for my credit card accounts.... read more »

By: Choncé Maddox • 1/29/26

Guide

40,500 views

5 min read

Paying Off Debt With a Lower Income: What I’ve Learned and How You Can Do The Same

How To Pay Off Debt When You Have a Lower Income

Paying off debt can be a struggle, no matter what your financial situation. But if you have a limited income and you’re juggling multiple jobs,... read more »

By: Choncé Maddox • 12/23/25

Guide

100,000+ views

11 min read

What is Secured Debt? When Lenders and Credit Card Issuers Require Collateral

What is Secured Debt? How Financing Collateral Works

Let’s be real — debt isn’t exactly the kind of thing you want to shout about from the rooftops. But secured debt can be a great tool for... read more »

By: Choncé Maddox • 12/18/24

Guide

100,000+ views

9 min read

What it Means When You Have No Credit History

What it Means When You Have No Credit History

If you’ve ever tried to get a credit card or loan only to be met with a “Sorry, we have nothing to go on,” it means you have no credit history.... read more »

By: Choncé Maddox • 11/20/24

Guide

100,000+ views

7 min read

What is an Interest Rate? How Your Credit Rating Can Determine the Cost of Financing

How Interest Rates Work in Loans and Credit Cards

When you hear the term “interest rate,” does your brain start to spin with numbers and jargon? Borrowing money from a lender is hardly ever free.... read more »

By: Choncé Maddox • 11/19/24

Guide

100,000+ views

7 min read

What are Installments? A Closer Look at Fixed Loan Repayments

What are Installments? A Look at Loan Repayment Structures

If you’ve ever taken out a loan or shopped for something big, like a car, furniture, a new smartphone, or even a dream vacation (yes, we see you... read more »

By: Choncé Maddox • 10/1/24

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