Consumer Finance Writer
Maya Cordell
Maya covers installment loans, credit scoring, and household budgeting — with a focus on turning dense regulator guidance into something you can actually act on.
Before writing full-time, Maya spent six years in nonprofit financial counseling, helping families build emergency savings and dig out of high-cost debt. That work shapes how she writes here: every guide leads with the cheapest path, names the trade-offs plainly, and shows the math instead of hiding it. She reviews each article against current publications from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state regulators.
Areas of focus
- How installment loans, APR and amortization actually work
- Building and rebuilding credit responsibly
- Lower-cost alternatives and budgeting on a tight income
- State-by-state lending rules
Recent articles
- Installment Loan vs. Payday Loan: Which Really Costs Less?
- Do Installment Loans Build Credit? (And When They Don't)
- How Do Installment Loans Work? A 2026 Guide
Editorial note: Maya does not make lending decisions and is not a financial advisor. Articles are general information, not personalized advice.