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Kellye Guinan is a Bankrate editor. She joined the team in 2024 with seven years of experience already under her belt covering everything from auto loans to debt consolidation. Her journey started the same as most people, with little knowledge of the finance world outside budgeting basics.
Kellye helps others navigate auto and personal loans. At her core, she believes people deserve to make the most of their money and feel confident managing their finances, so she strives to write about personal finance in ways everyone can understand. Her goal is to break down the most complex aspects of personal finance into manageable tips paired with expert advice.
In her free time, she loves studying languages and reading an absurd amount of books. You can often find her around Chattanooga drinking bubble tea and lounging by the river. And yes, she will talk your ear off about the importance of smart budgeting — even when she’s not working.
No one is born with an innate knowledge of finance, but everyone can learn it if they have access to the right tools. She wants to ensure the advice, articles and comparisons she works on are factual without being bogged down by jargon. When we approach difficult topics with empathy and understanding, we succeed.
Consumers Credit Union (CCU) is a membership-based credit union that offers new, used and auto refinance loans.
Zip provides six-week, four-payment buy now, pay later plans for purchases starting at $35.
Personify is known for offering loans to people with below-average credit.
SoLo funds is best for those that are looking for peer-to-peer lending for smaller loans.
Affirm doesn't have fees or charge interest on some of its buy now, pay later loans, but it does charge high interest rates if you miss a payment.
MoneyLion’s Instacash feature is a cost-effective alternative to payday loans, as it comes with no fees and you can borrow up to $500 at any time.
Get access to a network of 150 lenders - but be mindful of limitations that could keep you from qualifying.