Melanie Lockert

New York

💰 Writer, creator: Dear Debt, paid off $81k 🧠 Host @mentalhandw show 🧚‍♀️ Founder @lolaretreat 👀 Featured in NY Times & Marketwatch

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Articles

Amid recent changes, what's a good HELOC rate right now? Here's what experts say.

2 days ago | cbsnews.com | Melanie Lockert |Matt Richardson

In an effort to curb inflation, the Federal Reserve has once again decided to keep the federal funds rate the same after its May meeting. As inflation and economic uncertainty persist, so do elevated interest rates. This has created a challenging borrowing environment for people who need extra funding. Credit cards, while convenient, now have interest rates above 20%. Personal loans, which offer flexibility, are closer to 12%.
3 HELOC rate scenarios experts say to watch right now

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Melanie Lockert |Angelica Leicht

If you've been weighing your borrowing options, chances are that you're well aware of how expensive borrowing is overall in today's high-rate landscape. But while rates on credit cards and loans are high, the rates on home equity borrowing products, like home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) have remained significantly lower on average and have even been dropping recently.
What's the CD interest rate forecast for May 2025?

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Melanie Lockert |Angelica Leicht

Certificates of deposit (CDs) offer savers a stable place to lock up their savings funds for a set term. In return for holding the funds until maturity, savers get the predictability of a fixed rate of return on their money. During the current high-rate climate, CD interest rates have been lucrative, especially in the short term. So far this year, the Federal Reserve has kept the federal funds rate paused rather than slashing rates, which has positively impacted CD rates.
This might be the year of the layoff — but there are ways you can survive

1 week ago | salon.com | Melanie Lockert

After two years of working as a writer at a prominent personal finance website, Tiffany Lashai Curtis was laid off in July 2024. Thrown back into the job market, Curtis only received a handful of interviews from her 200 applications and ended up seeking public assistance like SNAP, Medicaid and unemployment benefits. “Being unemployed and having to search for a job in such a cruel job market has definitely deepened my anxiety and depression that I've been navigating for a while,” Curtis said.
The financial therapist will see you now: Money anxiety is driving people to seek professional help

2 weeks ago | salon.com | Melanie Lockert

As therapy becomes more mainstream, there is a specialty that’s hiding in the shadows — financial therapy. You might know that you can turn to traditional therapy if you’re facing challenges or you want to give your mental health a tune-up. But you might not realize you can work with a financial therapist, specifically focusing on your relationship with money.
The financial therapist will see you now: Money anxiety is driving people to seek professional help

2 weeks ago | finance.einnews.com | Melanie Lockert

As therapy becomes more mainstream, there is a specialty that’s hiding in the shadows — financial therapy. You might know that you can turn to traditional therapy if you’re facing challenges or you want to give your mental health a tune-up. But you might not realize you can work with a financial therapist, specifically focusing on your relationship with money.
What could happen to HELOC rates this May?

2 weeks ago | cbsnews.com | Melanie Lockert |Angelica Leicht

When it comes to borrowing from your home equity, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) remain one of the most flexible and appealing options to consider. Homeowners can utilize their home equity and turn it into a line of credit that can be used to cover costs or consolidate high-interest debt, especially in times of economic uncertainty. One of the primary benefits is that HELOC rates tend to be more affordable than other borrowing options.
Long-term CDs vs. short-term CDs: Which is better this May?

3 weeks ago | cbsnews.com | Melanie Lockert |Angelica Leicht

The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate several times over the past few years to help tame inflation — but as inflation has started to cool, the Fed has adjusted its approach. The outcome of its last few meetings, for example, has been that the Fed has opted to keep rate changes paused, essentially locking in its benchmark rate for now. That news hasn't been great for borrowers, who are temporarily stuck with higher-than-normal interest rates on borrowing products.
10 Best Law School Loans of 2025

3 weeks ago | credible.com | Melanie Lockert

Law school is expensive, and most students need to borrow to cover the cost. According to a 2024 survey from the American Bar Association, 85% of recent law school graduates took out student loans to pay for their J.D., and the median amount borrowed was $112,500. Federal student loans are usually the best option for law school because they offer flexible repayment plans and the potential for forgiveness. But if you have strong credit, a private law school loan could offer a lower interest rate.
How to protect your retirement savings now, according to experts

4 weeks ago | cbsnews.com | Melanie Lockert |Matt Richardson

If you've looked at your retirement accounts recently, you probably saw a major drop in value. As the stock market yo-yos up and down, it's enough to give anyone economic whiplash in search of solid ground. These major fluctuations in the market can be anxiety-inducing and potentially affect your investment strategy and retirement plans. Fortunately, there are some reliable ways to protect your savings even in today's hard-to-predict economic climate.