About Taylor Milam-Samuel
Current Role
Personal finance writer
Expertise
- Student Loans
- Debt
- Budgeting
- Tax Relief
- Home Equity
- Personal Loans
- Auto Loans
Degrees
- Bachelor's degree in English language arts from UCLA, master's degree in education from San Diego State University
Personal Finance Experience
Taylor's interest in personal finance began shortly after she graduated from college and was faced with the reality of her student loans. In an effort to create a better financial future for herself, she dove headfirst into the world of personal finance and started learning as much as possible.
What started as a personal passion has since grown into a career as a personal finance writer and educator.
Latest from Taylor Milam-Samuel
Can a 17-Year-Old Get a Student Loan?
You can apply for federal student loans as a 17-year-old, but in general, you need to be at least 18 to apply for...
PenFed Home Equity Review 2026: Solid Credit Union HELOC Option With Low Fees
A HELOC from PenFed gives homeowners access to up to $500,000 of their home’s equity...
Truist HELOC Review 2026: Low Introductory Rate, But Better Options Are Available
Truist offers a home equity line of credit that homeowners can use to finance upcoming...
Earnest vs. Discover: Student Loan Comparison
Earnest and Discover don’t offer the same benefits to borrowers. We found major differences that could impact which one you should choose.
Custom Choice Student Loans Review: Low Rates, Graduation Bonus, But Some Drawbacks
Cognition Financial offers the Custom Choice Loan that comes with competitive interest rates and perks...
Better Mortgage Review 2026: Is the First AI-Powered Mortgage Worth It?
Better was created to eliminate fees in the mortgage process and to provide a simpler...
USAA Doesn’t Offer Student Loans Anymore: Here Are the Best Alternatives
In 2017, USAA stopped issuing new student loans. We'll review some alternative options below and...
Discover Home Equity Loans Are No Longer Available, Consider These Alternatives in 2026
Discover’s home equity loans have a high minimum loan amount, but high maximums. They also...
The 10 Pros and Cons of Home Equity Lines of Credit
A home equity line of credit can provide you with convenient access to cash. Weighing...
Swimming Pool Loans: Compare Your Financing Options
Personal loans, home equity loans, and dealer financing can all be used to finance a...