Articles by Rebecca Lake

Rebecca is a writer for MyBankTracker.com. She is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF) and an expert in consumer banking products, saving and money psychology. She has contributed to numerous online outlets, including U.S. News & World Report, and more. Education: B.A. in Political Science and Government from University of South Carolina; MS. in Criminal Justice and Corrections from Charles Southern University.

The True Cost of Lying On Your Mortgage Application (Even the 'White Lies') Telling a few white lies on your mortgage application may seem harmless enough but it comes with some expensive consequences if you're found out. Mortgage Closing Costs and Fees Explained Photo of Rebecca Lake Rebecca Lake Mortgage Closing Costs and Fees Explained What are closing costs? In a nutshell, closing costs are the fees that have to... How to Pay For Study Abroad and Avoid Debt Photo of Rebecca Lake Rebecca Lake How to Pay For Study Abroad and Avoid Debt Studying abroad can be a life changer but it's not one that comes... 3 Lies the Media Uses to Try to Scare You Into Saving More News headlines are always full of stories about how people just aren't saving money but media scare tactics alone aren't enough to drive up the savings rate. Should You Contribute to Your 401(k) or Pay Down Your Mortgage? Paying off your mortgage ahead of schedule makes sense when you're trying to free up extra cash but investing offers a bigger bang for your buck. What I’ve Learned So Far About Buying a Home Photo of Rebecca Lake Rebecca Lake What I’ve Learned So Far About Buying a Home Buying a home is the major financial step, and it’s not something you can go into... Why Defaulting on Student Loans is a Bad Idea? Photo of Rebecca Lake Rebecca Lake Why Defaulting on Student Loans is a Bad Idea? If you read the news, you've no doubt heard of Lee Siegel and his recent defense of... 6 Private Student Loan Facts Lenders Avoid to Emphasize Financing a degree can be a wise investment but if you're in the dark about these private student loan facts, you could be setting yourself up for trouble. What You Should Do During Your Student Loan Grace Period Learn about the steps you can take during your student loan's grace period in order to ensure that you're prepared to repay your college debt and save money. Comprehensive Guide to Student Loan Forgiveness Programs Photo of Rebecca Lake Rebecca Lake Comprehensive Guide to Student Loan Forgiveness Programs Saving an emergency fund or buying a home can be tough when student loan payments...