About
Taylor Medine is a staff writer at Forbes Advisor who demystifies complex money topics to help everyday people make more informed financial decisions. Over her nearly a decade of experience, Taylor's work has been published on Bankrate, Experian, Credit Karma, MarketWatch, The Balance and more.
Taylor Medine is a staff writer for Forbes Advisor with nearly 10 years of experience writing guides and articles that demystify personal finance topics, such as how to repay debt and build credit.
In 2013, Taylor started blogging about her efforts to stretch a dollar while working in the hospitality industry on a recent college grad’s salary. Eventually, her passion for finance grew into a new career explaining intimidating topics for the everyday consumer.
Taylor’s work has been featured on Bankrate, Experian, The Balance, MarketWatch and other sites. She also holds a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) certification from the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC).
Outside of work, Taylor enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and 4-year-old daughter.
Expertise
- Federal student aid
- Student loans
- Personal loan
- Business loans
Achievements
- Nearly 10 years of experience writing about personal finance
- Published on Bankrate, Experian, MarketWatch, The Balance and more
- Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI)
Other Publications
- Celebrating Black Voices in Finance
- 9 Best Term Life Insurance Companies (2024)
- Home Equity Loan vs. Personal Loan: Which Should I Choose?
Education
Bachelor’s degree in tourism and hospitality from Temple University
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How Student Loan Debt Affects Homeownership And Other Financial Milestones
Millennials and Gen Z are entering adulthood at a time when wages are stagnant and living costs are high. Gallup polling shows inflation is the primary financial problem plaguing Americans—but the financial pressure can be even more intense for early-... -
Best Private Student Loans Of December 2024
Paying for college can be stressful and requires considerable financial planning. After using savings, scholarships and grants to pay for tuition and fees, you may still need more funds to cover college expenses. Student loans may be your next best... -
Can You Use Student Loans To Pay Past-Due Tuition?
When deciding how to pay for school, understanding the nuances of how loans and financial aid work can feel like solving a mystery. Occasionally, I get reader messages asking for help navigating the financial aid process. The latest is from... -
Nearly Two-Thirds Of Americans Fund Home Improvement Projects With Savings, Forbes Advisor Survey Finds
With home prices climbing and interest rates still high, remodeling can be a great way to turn an outdated or uninspiring house into a dream home without buying a new property. Although many homeowners are making required repairs, others are... -
Best Law School Student Loan Refinance Lenders Of 2024
A law degree can open doors to high-paying job opportunities. Yet, it’s also one of the more expensive degrees to obtain. Most students borrow money for law school, and the average graduate leaves owing more than $150,000 in debt, according... -
How To Get A Student Loan For Online School
With many universities now offering online-only degree programs, you could get your first and next degree or certification from the comfort of your couch or home office. While online classes can be cheaper than attending in person, tuition for a... -
Why You Should Make More Than The Minimum Student Loan Payment
When paying off student loans, making the minimum payment is all that’s required to keep your loans current. Yet, adding extra money to the minimum each month could pay down your balance faster and save you a bundle in interest.... -
40% Of Federal Loan Borrowers Missed First Payment After Payment Pause. What Are The Consequences?
When the pandemic-induced student loan payment pause ended in October, most borrowers made their first payment by mid-November—but over 8 million borrowers didn’t, according to data from the Department of Education. In a December blog post, U.S. Undersecretary of Education... -
How To Pay Off $80,000 In Student Loans
If you attend a high-cost school or obtain multiple degrees, it’s possible to rack up $80K in student loans. While paying off such a large balance may feel insurmountable, federal loans offer multiple repayment and forgiveness options to help eliminate... -
Pros And Cons Of Prepaid Tuition Plans
Enrolling in a 529 prepaid tuition plan is a college savings strategy that can help families combat tuition inflation. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 2021-22 academic year, average tuition and fees for a full-time undergraduate... -
EdFinancial Services: Everything You Need To Know
EdFinancial Services is one of several loan servicers contracted by the federal government to manage billing for federal student loans. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, EdFinancial has been in the student loan business for over three decades and services loans for... -
CornerStone Education Loan Services Review 2024
CornerStone Education Loan Services was one of several companies that used to service federal student loans. In 2020, CornerStone Education Loan Services terminated its loan servicing contract, which means it’s no longer managing loans for borrowers. If you had loans... -
Business Loans Are The Most Popular Funding Method For Businesses, Forbes Advisor Survey Finds
Despite obstacles including inflation, high-interest rates and stricter lending standards, entrepreneurs are still securing financing and forming businesses. In the first half of 2023, 2.6 million new businesses were registered in America, a slight increase from the same period in... -
Average Credit Score For Personal Loans
The credit score you need to qualify for a personal loan varies by lender. But generally, the higher your credit score, the better shot you have at landing more favorable offers. If you need a personal loan to consolidate debt... -
Best Dental School Loans Of 2024
The journey to become a dentist usually takes around eight years of study, which can come with a steep price tag.For the 2022-23 year, the average total cost of dental school was $329,724 at a private school and $213,683 at... -
Best Personal Loans With No Credit Check Of 2024
Although it’s common to undergo a credit check when applying for a personal loan, not all lenders require one. If you need cash to hold you over until your next payday—or longer—there are loan apps and personal loan lenders that... -
Best Dental School Loan Refinance Lenders Of 2024
Dentists make a very handsome salary, but dental school is also costly and borrowing to foot the bill can result in a large debt balance. On average, students leave dental school with $293,900 in student loan debt, and a loan... -
Faces Of Student Loan Forgiveness: How 2 Borrowers Got Over $350,000 Forgiven
Whether loan forgiveness is fair or legal is passionately debated across social media and in Congress—but there’s no doubt that it can be a lifeline for borrowers struggling with debt. Since 2021, the Biden-Harris administration has announced a massive $127... -
Personal Loans Improved Over 60% Of Borrowers’ Finances, Forbes Advisor Survey Finds
Personal loans can be an impactful tool on an individual’s financial journey. Whether it’s consolidating high-interest debt, financing a wedding or paying for a home-improvement project, personal loans can help borrowers achieve their financial goals. Yet, they aren’t without their... -
Debt Consolidation Loan Statistics & Trends In 2024
From auto loan debt to credit cards, Americans are leaning more on borrowed money to manage finances. In the fourth quarter of 2023, nonmortgage debt in America jumped to $4.89 trillion, a 5.4% increase from $4.64 trillion in Q4 2022.... -
The Best States To Pay Off Student Loan Debt
For the 43.4 million Americans carrying federal student loan debt, the return of student loan repayments in October may have added another line item to already strained budgets. However, in some states with higher incomes and lower costs of living,... -
FAFSA Changes Are Coming: What You Need To Know
Each year, millions of students fill out the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) to get help to pay for college. This help comes from federal and institutional aid, such as grants, scholarships and loans. For the 2024-25 award year,... -
How To Use Payroll Loans
Not having enough cash to pay employees can be consequential, not limited to losing talent. For a short-term gap in revenue, a payroll loan can provide the funding to pay your staff so you can keep your business running. Many... -
Can You Refinance Your Motorcycle Loan?
You can refinance a motorcycle loan to get lower interest rates and more favorable terms. Whether you can—and should—refinance your motorcycle loan depends on your credit, how much your bike is worth and the existing loan’s remaining balance, among other... -
What Is A Guaranteed Loan?
A guaranteed loan is a type of personal loan that may offer “guaranteed” or instant approvals to borrowers without a credit check. And if a credit check is required, poor credit may be accepted. In contrast, most personal loan lenders... -
How To Get A $80,000 Personal Loan
Taking out a $80,000 personal loan is a way to finance major expenses or consolidate large debt balances. Various lenders offer these loans and obtaining one can be straightforward, depending on the lender and your financial situation. Large loans can... -
Best Egg vs. Upstart: Which One Is Best For You?
Best Egg and Upstart are two popular online lenders that offer personal loans with streamlined application processes, and once approved, loans can be funded within a few days. If you’re looking for an installment loan to consolidate debt, make a... -
9 Best Tax Deductions For Freelancers To Claim
Freelancing can offer you job flexibility and an income stream, but the taxes can be a headache. When you earn income without an employer withholding taxes, you're responsible for estimating and paying taxes on your own. If you underestimate what... -
Best Unemployment Emergency Loans Of 2024
When you’re out of work and money is tight, a surprise bill can be stressful. Although unforeseen expenses can be tough to navigate, there are options.An emergency loan is a type of loan that can cover expenses while you’re unemployed....
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About
Taylor Medine is a staff writer at Forbes Advisor who demystifies complex money topics to help everyday people make more informed financial decisions. Over her nearly a decade of experience, Taylor's work has been published on Bankrate, Experian, Credit Karma, MarketWatch, The Balance and more.