Holly D. Johnson is a nationally recognized expert and award-winning insurance writer who covers life insurance, health insurance, and various other insurance-related topics for corporations and well-known magazines with millions of readers. Johnson also covers personal finance, credit, credit cards, and loyalty programs for a variety of publications including CNN Underscored, Bankrate, CreditCards.com and Forbes Advisor.
The author is also the founder of Club Thrifty and the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love." She and her husband Greg live in Central Indiana with their two daughters where they enjoy a debt-free lifestyle and travel up to 20 weeks of the year.
Articles by Holly Johnson
Are Credit Cards with Annual Fees Worth It?
Paying a credit card's annual fee can be worth it if you love earning rewards and accessing exclusive benefits.
Best Roth IRA Accounts in December 2023
The best Roth IRA accounts come with low starting balance requirements, minimal fees (or no fees), and ample investment options and tools.
Best Metal Credit Cards in December 2023
Metal credit cards tend to offer superior perks with higher annual fees. Find out how the best metal cards of 2023 work and how to decide.
Best Credit Cards to Build Credit in December 2023
The best credit cards for building credit come with easy approval requirements and other perks. These are the cards we recommend and why.
Best Sign-Up Bonus Credit Cards in December 2023
The best credit card sign-up bonuses can be worth $1,000 or more. Find out which cards offer them and how to qualify..
Best Credit Cards for December 2023
The best credit cards offer superior rewards and perks with reasonable fees or no fees at all. Find out which cards we recommend in 2023 and why.
Best Small Business Credit Cards for December 2023
The best small-business credit cards offer rewards and other important perks. Find out how they stack up and compare.
What Is the FICO Score 8?
FICO Score 8 is one of the most widely used FICO scores, along with FICO Score 9. Find out how this type of score works and why it matters.
What Are the Most Popular Crypto Scams to Watch For in 2023
Crypto scams take on my forms, including phishing scams, giveaway scams and more. Find out which cryptocurrency scams are most prevalent so far in 2023.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Review 2023
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has a generous rewards rate of 1.5% cash back with no annual fee required.
Citi ThankYou Rewards Program Guide 2023
The Citi ThankYou program offers the potential for exceptional rewards value if you transfer points to partners.
What Percentage of Income Should Go to Mortgage?
The percentage of your income that should go to a mortgage depends on your other debts and your comfort level. Find out the common rules of thumb and when they apply.
What Is the Average Down Payment on a House in 2023?
The average house down payment varies across the country. Find out how much you need to save based on where you live and the type of home loan you want.
Should You Use Your Credit Card Before It Arrives in the Mail?
Some credit cards can be used before they arrive in the mail. Find out which cards offer this option and how the process works.
How to Avoid (and Reduce) Credit Card Interest: Best Strategies
Credit card interest makes your purchases cost more, so you should avoid it or reduce it when you can.
Amex Membership Rewards: Guide 2023
American Express Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for travel, point transfers, gift cards, merchandise and more.
VantageScore vs. FICO
VantageScore and FICO are the two major credit scoring models in use today, yet these companies do things slightly differently.
Does Refinancing Hurt Your Credit Score
Refinancing a loan can hurt your credit in the short term, but the temporary damage can be worth the trouble.
History of Credit Cards: A Brief Overview
The history of credit dates back thousands of years, but the modern version of the credit card is less than 100 years old.
How Credit Card Companies Make Money
Credit card companies make money by charging interest, miscellaneous fees, and interchange fees to merchants.
The 15/3 Credit Card Hack That Could Help Your Score—But Not How You Think It Will
The 15/3 credit card hack is a mostly made-up trick that has the potential to help your credit score. But it doesn’t work the way influencers say it will. Here’s what you need to know.
Visa vs. Mastercard: What is the difference?
Visa and Mastercard are the two biggest credit card payment networks in operation today, yet neither one issues their own card products.
American Express Gold vs. Capital One Venture: Detailed Comparison 2023
Looking for a new travel credit card? Our in-depth analysis can help you decide between the Capital One Venture and the Amex Gold Card.
7 Popular Credit Card Hacks That Don't Work
Many popular credit card hacks don't actually work, and some will even cost you money in the long run.
How Many Credit Cards Should I Have?
The ideal number of credit cards depends on the benefits a person can gain and whether the risk is worth the reward.
Costco Anywhere Visa Card By Citi Review 2023
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers more rewards on gas, dining, eligible travel and Costco purchases. Learn how it compares to other cash back cards.
Amex Points vs. Chase Points: Which Rewards Currency Rules Them All?
Flexible rewards points offered through American Express and Chase have many of the same redemption options—but different strengths.
How to Calculate Loan Payments and Costs
A loan calculator can help you calculate loan payments and costs, which is crucial if you want to make an informed decision before you borrow.
A Complete Guide to Chase Airline and Hotel Transfer Partners: Redeem and Maximize Value
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are both lucrative and flexible. Find out how to maximize these points with Chase airline and hotel partners.
How Much Are American Airlines Miles Worth?
American Airlines miles are worth approximately 1.5¢ each on average, although you may get better or worse value depending on how you redeem them.
What Is The United Miles Value And How To Maximize Your Redemptions
The value of United miles is around 1.2 cents each, although how you redeem them will have a major impact on what you actually get.
