About Melody Stampley, CEPF®
Current Role
Personal finance writer & consultant
Expertise
- Writing
- Editing
- Budgeting
- Credit
- Loans
- Mortgages
- Auto Insurance
- Giving
- Saving
Certifications & Degrees
- Certified Educator in Personal Finance
- Bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Florida
- Master’s degree in mass communication from the Florida International University
Personal Finance Experience
Melody Stampley is a writer and editor who has enjoyed reading personal finance articles since she was a preteen.
Melody recognized her passion for personal finance in 2020, the same year she paid off nearly $25,000 of debt, became a certified Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coach, a certified Connect Financial Ministries Financial Coach, and started her own personal finance consulting business.
Since then, Melody has hosted financial literacy workshops for children and high-school students, led financial discipleship Bible studies for adults, and offered one-on-one financial coaching consultations and sessions.
Becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom, has further motivated Melody to equip others to teach following generations sound financial principles while they’re young.
Melody earned the designation Certified Educator in Personal Finance® (CEPF®) from the Institute for Financial Literacy in 2024.
Latest from Melody Stampley, CEPF®
Rhode Island HELOC Rates and Lenders
In this article, you’ll learn about some of the best Rhode Island HELOCs, their credit score requirements, and how to find the best...
Low-Income Student Loans
If you’re a college student or someone planning on pursuing a postsecondary degree with little to no income, a few low-income student loans...
HELOCs for New Construction
Can you open a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to finance new construction? In short, yes, you can. If you’d like to...
How to Calculate Discretionary Income for Student Loans
Understanding how to calculate your discretionary income for student loans is important if you’re exploring...
SELF Refi Student Loans Review
Editor’s note: Before you read our SELF Refi review below, please note that, due to a temporary suspension, SELF Refi is not accepting...
Student Loans for Books and Supplies
Most students use loans to cover their tuition and fees, but you can also use these funds to pay for supplies, books, and...
Can You Get Student Loans Without a High School Diploma or GED?
A high school diploma or GED is often required for federal student loans, though private...
Student Loans for Cosmetology School
While federal student loans for cosmetology school are the best, you can also use private student loans to pay for beauty school. We’ve...
Sallie Mae vs. Ascent: Student Loan Comparison
In this comparison, we review loan terms, repayment options, and more to find out if...
College Ave vs. SoFi: Who Offers Better Student Loans?
College Ave and SoFi both offer private student loans and student loan refinancing. In this...