Personal Finance
Advertiser Disclosure
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
Best Credit Cards to Build Credit in September 2024: 9 Top Options
The best credit cards for building credit come with easy approval requirements and other perks. These are the cards we recommend and why.
Best Roth IRA Accounts for September 2024
The best Roth IRA accounts come with low starting balance requirements, minimal fees (or no fees), and ample investment options and tools.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Review 2024
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers outsized rewards at U.S. supermarkets and gas stations, and on select U.S. streaming services.
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.
American Express Business Gold Card Review 2024
The American Express® Business Gold Card offers bonus rewards in two top spending categories per billing cycle and a very specific set of benefits. Find out where this card shines and reasons to consider alternatives.
Best Credit Card Sign-up Bonuses for September 2024
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 September 2024
The best credit cards offer superior rewards and perks with reasonable fees or no fees at all. Find out which cards we recommend in 2024 and why.
Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Review 2024
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.
Citi ThankYou Rewards Program Guide 2024
The Citi ThankYou program offers the potential for exceptional rewards value if you transfer points to partners.
Citi Double Cash® Card Review 2024
With 2% cash back on everything and an excellent balance transfer offer, the Citi Double Cash® Card can be hard to beat.
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.
What Are the Most Popular Crypto Scams to Watch For in 2024
Crypto scams take on my forms, including phishing scams, giveaway scams and more. Find out which cryptocurrency scams are most prevalent.
Best Small Business Credit Cards for September 2024
The best small-business credit cards offer rewards and other important perks. Find out how they stack up and compare.
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 Open a Bank Account as a Non U.S. Citizen: Requirements and Documentation
Non-citizens absolutely have the right to open an account with a U.S. financial institution. Here’s the documentation you need to have—and the procedure to follow—to get one.
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.
What Is the Ideal Percentage of Income for Mortgage Payments?
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.
How to Transfer a Credit Card Balance (The Right Way)
The steps required to transfer a balance are easy to follow, and they can all be completed online or over the phone.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Review 2024: Good, But You Can Do Better
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has a generous rewards rate of 1.5% cash back with no annual fee required.
Lemonade Insurance Review 2024: Reliable, Affordable Products for Renters and Pet Owners
Lemonade offers a range of insurance products online and through its mobile app, including homeowners insurance, renters insurance, auto insurance coverage, and more.
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 Card vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express: Why the Platinum Is The Better Offer
Our detailed comparison of Amex Gold versus Platinum will help you figure out which of these rewards cards suits your spending style the most.
Store Credit Cards vs. General Credit Cards: What's the Difference?
Closed-loop store credit cards can only be used within a specific store or brand of stores, whereas general credit cards can be used almost anywhere. Learn about their major differences and why you might choose one card type over the other.
Chase Freedom® Rise Review 2024
The Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card can help you build credit, but you may need a Chase checking account to qualify.
What Is the Average Down Payment on a House in 2024?
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.
Credit-Card Processing Fees: A Guide for Shoppers (and Merchants)
Credit-card processing fees cost businesses 1.5% to 3.5% of each transaction that takes place. These fees are shared among credit card networks, payment processors, banks, and other related service providers. Here’s how they can affect what you pay.
What Credit Cards Are Metal in September 2024?
Metal credit cards tend to offer superior perks with higher annual fees. Find out how the best metal cards of 2024 work and how to decide.
Business vs. Personal Credit Cards: What's the Difference?
Business credit cards and personal credit cards have their share of similarities and differences. Find out what those are and how to pick the right card for you.
Amex Membership Rewards: Guide 2024
American Express Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for travel, point transfers, gift cards, merchandise and more.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Review 2024
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best travel credit cards available today. Find out why this card is so popular and everything you get for signing up.
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.
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.
What Is a Credit Card Product Change and How Does It Work?
A credit card product change lets you trade one credit card for another without having to apply for a new one. Here’s how it works and when you should consider making one.
Delta Skymiles Platinum American Express Card Review 2024
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers an acceptable rewards rate but comes up short on perks for its $250 annual fee. Learn more.
American Express Gold vs. Capital One Venture: Detailed Comparison 2024
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.
Credit Card Churning: What It Is and Why You Shouldn’t Do It
Credit card churning can hurt your credit and your finances if you're not careful. This guide will teach you the pitfalls—and what to do instead.
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.
12 Venmo Scams to Watch Out For
Venmo scams all have one thing in common—a third party who tries to trick you into sending money or revealing sensitive data.
Business Credit Score: What Is It, How to Check It
A business credit score is crucial if you want your company to grow. Find out how these scores work and where they originate from.
How to Buy and Sell a House At the Same Time
Buying and selling a home at the same time can be tricky. Find out how to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
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 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.
VantageScore vs. FICO
VantageScore and FICO are the two major credit scoring models in use today, yet these companies do things slightly differently.
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.
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.
How Credit Card Companies Make Money
Credit card companies make money by charging interest, miscellaneous fees, and interchange fees to merchants.
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.
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 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.
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