Ashley Mott

An experienced evergreen writer, news reporter, and content auditor with a decade of experience. Seven years of corporate newsroom experience includes writing, editing and managing multiple social media profiles to drive traffic to breaking news and feature stories. Analytics are a passion.


On the freelance side, business, legal concerns for businesses, taxes, human resources and personal finance are a primary focus. Side topics of note include fashion, home improvement and insurance.


Skilled in social media, journalism, leadership, finances, and analysis.

Personal Finance

The Simple Dollar •

Best Money-Saving Apps

Money-saving apps are great for making every dollar in your budget count. Whether you’re using a savings app to divert extra change to a savings account or using it to help save money at the grocery store, you’re contributing to your long-term financial security with every swipe and click. The best savings apps make it easy to save, provide easy access to earnings and carry no cost for use. With these saving apps, you can carefully budget, boost your emergency fund, and save for a big purchase d
The Simple Dollar •

Home Depot Project Loan Review

A Home Depot project loan provides customers with a line of credit up to a $55,000 maximum for financing a home improvement project. If you want a kitchen remodel or to upgrade a bathroom, the loan makes it possible to swipe a card at Home Depot to purchase the items needed to complete your project. A fixed 7.99% annual percentage rate may match your other interest rate options in the unsecured loan category, particularly if you have average or good credit. For consumers with exemplary credit or
The Simple Dollar •

What is Loan-to-Value Ratio?

The loan-to-value ratio is a measurement used by financial institutions to determine the level of risk when extending a mortgage loan. When you buy a home, the LTV ratio expresses the monetary gap between your proposed mortgage and the appraised value of the property being purchased. Because the house and property secures a mortgage loan for the lender, a higher LTV ratio means a higher risk. A high LTV ratio can mean more costs for the buyer or a denied loan. You need a LTV ratio of 80% for mo
The Nest •

When Will Your Score Change After Disputing Your Credit Report?

When you spot a piece of incorrect information or see an item you don't recognize on your credit report, you need to dispute the information with all three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Some disputes immediately alter your credit report during the dispute period and over the long-term if the dispute is proven valid. The length of time it takes to see a change in your credit rating after submitting a dispute varies, but you can expect the investigation of the dispute to take
The Nest •

Why Does Social Security Need to Know Where Kids' Survivors Benefits Went?

While the typical image of a Social Security recipient is a senior citizen, the program actually pays benefits to a lot of children -- approximately 4.4 million as of August 2012 -- who have a retired, deceased or disabled parent. The payments help caregivers provide a child with basic necessities and, when possible, additional comforts. To verify the responsible use of funds, caregivers file an annual expense report with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The Nest •

Secrets When Filing Taxes

Filing your annual income tax returns may seem like a relatively straightforward process, and it largely is. However, there are a few tips and tricks, or secrets, that an average taxpayer may rarely explore. Careful consideration of these strategies can net you a larger refund and help you avoid unnecessary stress when dealing with the IRS. For most calendar years, income tax returns for the previous year must be filed by April 15. However, some years, this date falls on a Sunday and the filing
Close ✕