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Taylor Medine

Staff Writer

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

Education

Bachelor’s degree in tourism and hospitality from Temple University

  • 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...
    Best Law School Student Loan Refinance Lenders Of 2024
  • 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...
    How To Get A Student Loan For Online School
  • 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....
    Why You Should Make More Than The Minimum Student Loan Payment
  • 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...
    40% Of Federal Loan Borrowers Missed First Payment After Payment Pause. What Are The Consequences?
  • 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...
    How To Pay Off $80,000 In Student Loans
  • 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...
    Pros And Cons Of Prepaid Tuition Plans
  • 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...
    EdFinancial Services: Everything You Need To Know
  • 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...
    CornerStone Education Loan Services Review 2024
  • 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...
    Business Loans Are The Most Popular Funding Method For Businesses, Forbes Advisor Survey Finds
  • 2024 Student Loan Outlook: What To Expect

    With the strike down of President Biden’s forgiveness plan, the rollout of new debt relief initiatives and the return of student loan payments, 2023 was an eventful year in the student loan world. In 2024, we’ll begin to see how...
    2024 Student Loan Outlook: What To Expect
  • 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...
    Average Credit Score For Personal Loans
  • 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 Dental School Loans Of 2024
  • 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 Personal Loans With No Credit Check Of 2024
  • 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...
    Best Dental School Loan Refinance Lenders Of 2024
  • 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...
    Faces Of Student Loan Forgiveness: How 2 Borrowers Got Over $350,000 Forgiven
  • 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...
    Personal Loans Improved Over 60% Of Borrowers’ Finances, Forbes Advisor Survey Finds
  • 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....
    Debt Consolidation Loan Statistics & Trends In 2024
  • 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,...
    The Best States To Pay Off Student Loan Debt
  • 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,...
    FAFSA Changes Are Coming: What You Need To Know
  • 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...
    How To Use Payroll Loans
  • 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...
    Can You Refinance Your Motorcycle Loan?
  • 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...
    What Is A Guaranteed Loan?
  • 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...
    How To Get A $80,000 Personal Loan
  • 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...
    Best Egg vs. Upstart: Which One Is Best For You?
  • 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...
    9 Best Tax Deductions For Freelancers To Claim
  • Average Wedding Cost: How Much Should You Budget For Your Big Day?

    Getting married is exciting, but it’s getting costlier. The average cost of a wedding in the United States rose about 14% in 2024 from 2023, according to a study from Zola, an online wedding registry and planner. Although weddings can...
    Average Wedding Cost: How Much Should You Budget For Your Big Day?
  • 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....
    Best Unemployment Emergency Loans Of 2024
  • How To Get A $35,000 Personal Loan

    Many lenders offer $35,000 personal loans, and a loan of that size could help meet your financial needs, like consolidating credit card debt, financing wedding costs or paying out-of-pocket surgery expenses. When applying for a $35,000 loan, lenders will consider...
    How To Get A $35,000 Personal Loan
  • Can I Get A Personal Loan With A 550 Credit Score?

    Good credit can make it easier to get a personal loan, but with the right lender, a high credit score isn’t always required to get approved. For borrowers with a credit score of 550 or below, which is considered “poor”...
    Can I Get A Personal Loan With A 550 Credit Score?
  • Fiona Personal Loans Review

    Fiona is a personal loan marketplace owned by and powered by Engine, a tool that helps consumers search for and compare financial services. Instead of directly lending money to borrowers, Fiona has lender partnerships and connects borrowers with loan options....
    Fiona Personal Loans Review
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Top Picks From Taylor Medine

  • Faces Of Student Loan Forgiveness: How 2 Borrowers Got Over $350,000 Forgiven
    Faces Of Student Loan Forgiveness: How 2 Borrowers Got Over $350,000 Forgiven

    by Taylor Medine

    Read More

  • FAFSA Changes Are Coming: What You Need To Know
    FAFSA Changes Are Coming: What You Need To Know

    by Taylor Medine

    Read More

  • Business Loans Are The Most Popular Funding Method For Businesses, Forbes Advisor Survey Finds
    Business Loans Are The Most Popular Funding Method For Businesses, Forbes Advisor Survey Finds

    by Taylor Medine

    Read More

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.