Jackie Veling

Lead Writer | Buy now, pay later loans, debt consolidation, personal loans

Jackie Veling covers personal loans for NerdWallet. Her work has been featured in The Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Yahoo Finance and elsewhere. Her work has also been cited by the Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to that, she ran a freelance writing and editing business, where she partnered with a wide range of clients, including U.S. Bank and Under Armour. She graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Education: B.A. in journalism from Indiana University

Jackie's picks

Buy Now, Pay Later vs. Credit Cards: Which Is Right for You?

by Kimberly Palmer

It depends on what kind of flexibility you need with your financing, how much either option will cost you, and whether you're looking for predictability or incentives.

How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt: A 5-Step Guide

by Sean Pyles, Tiffany Curtis

Depending on the amount, you could try a DIY method like debt snowball or consolidation. Or, look into debt relief to help you pay off credit card debt.

What Is Debt Consolidation, and Should I Consolidate?

by Jackie Veling, Amrita Jayakumar

Debt consolidation rolls multiple debts into a single payment. It can be a good idea if you qualify for a low enough interest rate.

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Other publications

The Associated Press, MarketWatch, Yahoo, MSN

The latest from Jackie

Accredited Debt Relief for Debt Settlement: 2024 Review

Accredited Debt Relief offers debt settlement plans that can help you get out of debt, but it’s risky. Compare debt settlement with other debt payoff alternatives.

Does Debt Settlement Hurt Your Credit?

Debt settlement can hurt your credit and stay on your credit report for seven years. Compare debt settlement with less risky options.

Best Debt Consolidation Loans

Is Debt Settlement a Good Idea?

Debt settlement hurts your credit score, and there’s no guarantee of success. Consider other debt relief options first.

How Do Debt Consolidation Loans Work?

Debt consolidation loans work by paying off all your debts at once with the loan’s lump sum. You then pay back the loan in fixed monthly installments.

Co-signing a Loan: Risks and Benefits

Co-signing a loan may help the borrower qualify, but it could also hurt your credit score and overall finances.

3 Ways to Pay for Your Summer Vacation

Credit cards, “buy now, pay later" plans and vacation loans each allow you to pay for a trip over time, but pay attention to interest rates.

How to Get Out of a Payday Loan

Payday loans can lead to a cycle of debt. Learn how these loans work and what resources you can use to relieve payday loan debt.

Truist Ready Now Loan Review

The Ready Now loan from Truist is available in $100 increments up to $1,000, with a fee of $5 per $100 borrowed.

Wells Fargo Flex Loan: 2024 Review

The Flex Loan from Wells Fargo comes in amounts of $250 or $500, with a flat fee depending on the amount you borrow.

7 Personal Loans for Non-U.S. Citizens and How to Get One

Being a permanent resident with a Social Security number may make it easier to qualify for a personal loan.

Payday Loan Consolidation: What It Is and How It Works

Consolidating high-interest payday loans into one personal loan can help ease a debt burden.

Sezzle Buy Now, Pay Later: 2024 Review

Sezzle offers interest-free payment plans to shoppers online and in stores, but keep an eye on fees.

Avoid the Risks of Having Multiple Buy Now, Pay Later Loans

Taking on multiple BNPL payments can be risky. Budget ahead of time and beware the temptation to overspend at checkout.

Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit