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.
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.