Melanie Lockert

Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer and editor currently living in Portland, Oregon. She is passionate about education, financial literacy and empowering people to take control of their finances. Her work has been featured on GoGirlFinance, Rockstar Finance, The Globe and Mail, and more. Melanie holds an M.A. from New York University.

Female solider standing outside of her home and wondering if she can get a bad credit military loan

Can I get a military loan with bad credit?

Man holding his infant son as they look out of the window

Loans for veterans: Know your options

Young woman standing by broken down car and waiting for assistance while holding her baby boy and talking on cell phone

Woman checking her tablet while working in her pottery shop

Should I consider a microloan for my business?

Young woman with her dog using her laptop on bedroom floor

How old do you need to be to get...

Woman drinking coffee and looking at laptop

What is a debtor?

Woman working in the kitchen

What is collateral?

Smiling woman food truck owner in city

What is a sole proprietorship?

The United States Federal Reserve bank, in Washington, D.C., which sets rate that can have an impact on the prime rate.

What is the prime rate?

Woman using laptop considers balance transfer pros and cons.

The pros and cons of balance transfers

Woman paying bills on laptop, thanks to help from the FTC

What is the FTC?

Female plant shop owner with credit card paying bills online at laptop in workshop

What to do after identity theft

Two people relaxing in a sunny airport lounge

Top credit cards for airport lounge access

Hairstylist business owner with digital tablet in hair salon

Best secured business credit cards

A young woman with long brown hair is lying on her sofa, credit card in hand, looking at her tablet, as suns streams through the large windows behind her.

Should you take out a loan to pay off...

Young woman holding a credit card while trying to figure out how to get approved for a new card.

Credit card approval: What factors matter?

Worried young woman sitting at home thinking about how to pay off student loans.

5 options to consider if you can’t pay your...

Woman talks to her boss about changing jobs or getting a raise

Should I change jobs or ask for a raise?

woman thinking about the Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Capital One® Platinum Credit Card review

Rolled up tie pictured next to a business credit card for Credit Karma's Guide to Business Credit Cards.

Credit Karma Guide to Business Credit Cards

A balance with a credit card on one side and stones representing debt on the other to symbolize the choice you make with balance transfer cards.

Credit Karma Guide to Balance Transfer Cards

Young woman sitting on steps in a marketplace, looking purposefully at the screen of her smartphone in her hands

The best money-saving apps: What to know

A woman in a yoga class gazes ahead while holding the warrior II position.

6 tips for how to budget your money

Smiling woman wonders how a balance transfer works

How a balance transfer can help you pay down...

Couple paying for takeaway food

Capital One® Platinum Credit Card review

Couple analyzing bills realizing that household debt is on the rise in America

Total American household debt continues to rise

Hip woman explaining credit counseling to a young man

Your guide to understanding credit counseling

Dad with his son after he picked the best Navy Federal Credit Union credit card for him

The 6 best Navy Federal Credit Union credit cards...

Young couple on a safari adventure paid for by maximizing the benefits of Chase Sapphire Reserve

How to maximize the benefits of Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Man looking out a window with suspicion, wondering how hackers are going to use his stolen information

How do hackers use your information for identity theft?

Woman looking at a laptop and trying to create a strong password

How to create and protect a strong password

Woman looking out a window while leaning against a brick wall while wondering when credit card companies report to credit report bureaus

When do credit card companies report to credit bureaus?

Woman holding an open wallet and thinking about unclaimed money

Learn more about unclaimed money

Woman shopping because she knows where her credit card will be accepted?

Where are my credit cards accepted?

Man standing in front of a white wood wall scratches his head over the 9 different credit card types to consider

9 different credit card types to consider

Man and woman running up a hill and talking about how to do a balance transfer in 6 steps

How to do a balance transfer in 6 steps

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