About Rebecca Lake, CEPF®
Current Role
Personal Finance Writer
Expertise
- Student Loans
- Mortgages
- Home-buying
- Home Equity
- Credit
- Debt
- Personal Loans
- Education Planning
- Taxes
- Investing
- Small Business
Certifications & Degrees
- Certified Educator in Personal Finance
- Bachelor's degree in political science from the University of South Carolina
Personal Finance Experience
Rebecca began writing about personal finance in 2013 after finding herself nearly $100,000 in debt with credit cards, student loans, and a car loan. As she learned about finance and paid down the debt, she became interested in teaching others how to manage money, save, and build wealth.
She's written for a number of top publications in the personal finance space, covering a wide range of topics. In 2019, she founded Boss Single Mama, a personal finance blog for moms who are interested in earning and saving more while spending less. In 2022, she became a CEPF® and continues to share her passion for finance with others.
Latest from Rebecca Lake, CEPF®
How to Refinance Student Loans With a Cosigner [2026’s Best Rates + Lenders]
Refinancing student loans with a cosigner can make it easier to qualify and potentially snag...
When Does Tax Season Start and End? 2026 Dates and Deadlines to Know
January 26, 2026, marked the start of the 2026 tax filing season. This is the...
What Is a Second Mortgage? How It Works and Expert Recommendations
Do you know how much your home is worth? According to CoreLogic, the average homeowner...
Hometap (HEA) vs. HELOC: Which Is Right to Access Your Home Equity?
Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and home equity agreements (HEAs) are two of the...
Is a Home Equity Agreement a Good Idea? Pros, Cons, and Expert Advice (2026)
A home equity agreement (HEA) lets you turn your home equity into cash without monthly...
What to Do When You’re House-Rich but Cash-Poor
Imagine sitting on wealth but feeling broke when you look at your bank account. That’s...
The 7 Best Apps to Make Money Fast
Whether you’re looking to earn from gig work, selling items, or taking surveys, apps including Upwork, Decluttr, and Swagbucks can help you make...
9 Tax Relief Scams to Avoid
When you owe money to the IRS or your state tax agency, it’s better to address it sooner rather than later. Unpaid tax...
Cash Advance vs. Payday Loan: Why Apps Are Usually the Better Choice
Cash advances and payday loans are both fast ways to borrow money—but they’re not equally...
Missouri HELOC Rates and Lenders
A home equity line of credit or HELOC allows you to tap into cash by borrowing against your home’s value. It’s a flexible...