Jill Chafin, staff writer for LendingTree

Jill A. Chafin

Staff Writer

Jill A. Chafin is a staff writer at LendingTree, where she covers small business solutions, credit cards, insurance, student loans and more. Jill focuses on explaining complex financial topics with a speciality in writing in-depth but easy-to-understand content guides.

As a former business owner, Jill is passionate about entrepreneurial tips, tax strategies and bookkeeping systems — basically anything that will help business owners devote more time to their trade.

Before joining LendingTree in 2022, Jill freelanced for various publications, including the Motley Fool and Life Savvy.

When not researching personal finance tips (like maximizing credit card rewards to score free flights), Jill’s busy traveling, working on her novels, teaching and performing circus arts — and juggling life with her two kids.

Specialties

  • Credit card reviews
  • Credit card rewards programs
  • Small business lender reviews
  • Small business tax and bookkeeping strategies

Achievements

  • 7+ years of personal finance experience
  • 20+ years freelance writing and editing experience
  • 200+ articles written and edited for LendingTree
  • Refined product reviews for various loans and credit cards featured on LendingTree
  • Provided expertise to LendingTree’s small business content
  • Wrote the novel Shaken, scheduled for publication in March 2025

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Advanced diploma in creative writing from Te Pūkenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology)

Jill’s favorite credit cards

“My parents live in New Zealand so I’m obsessed with Chase Ultimate Rewards®. I’ve managed to earn enough points to fly my family of four to the other side of the world three times now — only paying taxes and fees each time.

My favorite all-time card is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. While it has an annual fee, it allows you to combine all of your Chase Ultimate Reward points and transfer to partner airlines. Plus, you get a $50 hotel credit every year.

Another great card is the Chase Freedom Flex℠ — there’s no annual fee and I love the rotating 5% categories.”

Articles by Jill A. Chafin

13 Scholarship Search Tools to Help You Find Money for College

Getting free scholarships for college can help ease the financial burden of higher education. A scholarship search tool can offer thousands of options, allowing you... read more

Should the Government Grant Student Debt Relief? 95% of Federal Borrowers Would Approve

The world of federal student loans has become quite the roller coaster over the past few years. While 41% of Americans with federally held student... read more

Student Loan Consolidation

A student loan consolidation combines some or all of your federal student loans into a new, easy-to-manage loan. While consolidating your loans can extend your... read more

10 Medical Schools With Free Tuition

Tuition-free medical schools are popping up across the U.S., including at some of the country’s most prestigious universities. While the list of medical schools with... read more

When to Refinance Student Loans

Student loan refinance can potentially lower your interest rate and shorten your term, making payments more manageable. But deciding when to refinance student loans depends... read more

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