Cole Tretheway
Cole Tretheway is a self-taught financial writer. He spent three years teaching himself how money worked, from credit cards to investing, then leveraged that to investigate financial products for The Motley Fool Money, a widely-read personal finance publication.
Cole believes anyone can learn how to make good financial decisions by paying attention to the stuff that really matters. He leans into his English background to communicate how money works simply, drawing upon lessons taught by some of the best minds in personal finance.
Credit Counseling vs Debt Settlement: Which Is Better?Aug 6, 2026
Credit counseling repays what you owe at lower interest; debt settlement pays less but damages credit. Compare costs, credit impact, and which fits you.
Chase Personal Loan Alternatives August 2026Aug 1, 2026
Chase doesn't offer traditional personal loans. See how My Chase Loan works and how alternatives like Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, and SoFi compare.
Pros and Cons of Debt SettlementJul 31, 2026
Weigh debt settlement's real pros and cons, such as credit impact, fees, taxes, and success rates. Learn when it's worth it and what to try first.
How to Avoid Debt Relief ScamsJul 25, 2026
Learn the red flags of debt relief scams, the federal rule on upfront fees, and how to verify a company before you pay. Get steps to report a scam.
Capital One Personal Loan AlternativesJun 30, 2026
Capital One doesn't offer personal loans. See how alternatives like Discover, LightStream, and SoFi compare on rates, amounts, and fees.
Are Personal Loans Bad? When They Help and When They HurtJun 27, 2026
Personal loans aren't good or bad on their own. See when one helps, when it hurts, and how to tell the difference before you borrow.
How Debt Settlement Affects Renting, Loans, and Financial AccessJun 27, 2026
Wondering if debt settlement hurts your chances of renting or borrowing? Here’s what landlords and lenders actually check, and what stays off their radar.
Will Debt Settlement Prevent Me From Renting an Apartment?Jun 18, 2026
Debt settlement doesn't block you from renting. Here's what landlords actually see on your credit report, and why missed payments matter more than the program.
Why Does My Debt Have to Go to Collections Before Settlement?Jun 18, 2026
Creditors aren't usually willing to settle a debt if you're still making payments. Learn why your accounts need to be past-due before debt settlement is an option.
The Collections Process in Debt Settlement ExplainedJun 18, 2026
Collections doesn't stop when you enroll in debt settlement. Here's how falling behind, charge-off, and collector contact actually work, and what the law limits.
Why Won't Debt Settlement Companies Let Me Cancel?Jun 1, 2026
Tried to cancel your debt settlement program and got pushback? Here's what federal rules say about your right to leave, and what canceling actually costs you.
How to Cancel a Debt Settlement Program and What to ExpectJun 1, 2026
Cancel your debt settlement program in three steps and know what happens to your money, your debts, and creditor contact after you leave.
Why Debt Settlement Fees Feel Higher Than ExpectedMay 29, 2026
Debt settlement fees have three parts, and a debt settlement company isn't allowed to collect them upfront. Find out how they work here.
Do Debt Settlement Companies Just Make Calls I Could Make Myself?May 29, 2026
DIY debt negotiation is real. But debt settlement companies aren't charging for phone calls. Here's what the fee actually covers.
What Debt Settlement Companies Actually Do vs DIY NegotiationMay 28, 2026
A debt settlement company does more than make phone calls. Here is how the work compares with handling negotiation on your own.
Do I Still Owe Creditors After Paying the Settlement Company?May 27, 2026
If you’ve been paying into a debt settlement program, your creditors haven’t been paid yet. Here’s how the money actually flows and what settled really means.
Their Fees Are Wild—Why Debt Settlement Costs Add UpMay 27, 2026
Debt settlement fees are calculated based on your enrolled debts. Find out more about debt settlement company fees here.
How Does Paying a Debt Settlement Company Actually Work?May 27, 2026
Your monthly payments don’t go to your creditors. Here’s where the money actually goes, what happens while it sits there, and how a debt gets resolved.
What Is the Dedicated Savings Account in Debt Settlement?May 26, 2026
The dedicated savings account in debt settlement is held in your name at an FDIC-insured bank, not by the debt settlement company. Learn how it works and what you control.
What Actually Happens to My Money During Debt Settlement?May 26, 2026
Worried about where your money goes in debt settlement? Federal law requires it to be held in an account you own. Here’s what the law says.
HELOCs in California: Rates, Requirements, and What Makes Them DifferentApr 17, 2026
California HELOCs come with bigger borrowing power and state-specific protections. Learn what rates, requirements, and lenders look like in the Golden State.
How Do You Know if a Debt Settlement Company Is Legit?Apr 8, 2026
Debt settlement is a legitimate strategy, but some companies are not. Here’s exactly how to tell the difference before you sign anything.
Do Debt Settlement Companies Take Money Upfront?Mar 22, 2026
Federal law prohibits legitimate debt settlement companies from charging fees before settling a debt. Here's what the rule says and how to verify a company before you sign.