Emma Patch
Emma is a staff writer for Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. She covers a broad range of topics spanning saving, spending, travel, charitable giving, building wealth and financial products. She frequently writes the magazine’s Basics column and is one of several Millennial and Gen Z writers who pen the Millennial Money column. Emma also has a keen interest in the finances of entrepreneurship and education, including student loans.
During the pandemic, Emma wrote a series of profiles called “Making It Work,” mainly featuring small business owners and other entrepreneurs, about the impact of the pandemic on their work and lives. She now profiles individuals whose work involves notable examples of altruism for the magazine’s “Paying it Forward” feature.
Before joining Kiplinger in 2020, Emma interned for Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, writing and editing retirement-related content. Prior to that, she interned for an investment firm in New York City, supporting brokers, analyzing data and earning her Bloomberg Market Concepts certification.
Emma graduated from Middlebury College with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature with French literature as her primary focus and Russian literature as her secondary, culminating in a semester of study in Moscow and a thesis on the reception of French Symbolism in Russia. She’s fluent in three languages and is slowly mastering Russian.
While at Middlebury, she served as editor-at-large and features editor for the student newspaper. In the warmer months, she also worked at Middlebury’s organic garden, learning about sustainable agricultural practices and food systems. In winter, she was a part-time ski instructor at the Middlebury Snow Bowl.
Latest articles by Emma Patch
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Watch Out for Job Listing Fraud
Scams If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to find new employment in 2022, be on guard against job-listing scams.
By Emma Patch Published
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Airbnb Host Tells What It's Like
Business Costs & Regulation This Denver pharmacist began booking her ski condo a few months after the pandemic hit.
By Emma Patch Published
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Spending Like It’s 2019
Smart Buying Setting spending targets and using budgeting apps can help tame the urge to live it up (now that we can again).
By Emma Patch Published
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Should I Use Credit or Debit?
Basics Credit cards offer more protections and rewards, but debit cards reduce the temptation to overspend.
By Emma Patch Published
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You May Get a Raise in 2022
Employee Benefits In a strengthening labor market, businesses are paying more to attract and retain employees.
By Emma Patch Published
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New Platforms for a Comedy Couple
Coronavirus and Your Money COVID forced them to expand their stand-up repertoire to YouTube and podcasts.
By Emma Patch Published
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The Pandemic Pet Problem
Coronavirus and Your Money Lisa Gretebeck used telemedicine and other creative ways to handle a surge of new cat and dog patients.
By Emma Patch Published
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Complain and Get Results
Smart Buying Use these tried-and-true strategies to get companies to listen to you.
By Emma Patch Published
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When It’s Time to Drop Your Parents’ Health Insurance
Starting Out: New Grads and Young Professionals Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the uninsured rate for twenty-somethings has plummeted.
By Emma Patch Published
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Plan to Start Repaying Student Loans
Paying for College The pandemic-era pause on student loan repayments is scheduled to end September 30. If you can’t afford payments, you have options.
By Emma Patch Published
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Tying the Knot Post-Pandemic
Business Costs & Regulation This wedding planner is gearing up for a full fall season amid continuing concerns about safety.
By Emma Patch Published
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Avoid the Summer Travel Rush; Plan a Fall Getaway
Travel Prices will be lower, you’ll encounter fewer crowds, and pandemic restrictions are likely to ease even more.
By Emma Patch Published
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Tough Times for a Family Business
Business Costs & Regulation His dry-cleaning operation was rocked by the pandemic, but he is staying optimistic.
By Emma Patch Published
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COVID’s Silver Lining: A Calmer Life
Coronavirus and Your Money This family left the West Coast for a simpler lifestyle in a small Cape Cod town.
By Emma Patch Published
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Reliving a Harlem Renaissance
Business Costs & Regulation After a tough winter, two sisters look forward to reviving their restaurant’s business.
By Emma Patch Published
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The Hazards of Buy Now, Pay Later
Smart Buying Breaking up payments can make a big purchase seem cheaper, which can tempt you to overspend.
By Emma Patch Published
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Add a VPN to Surf the Internet Safely
Technology To help you fight identity theft, consider adding a VPN.
By Emma Patch Published
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Forgiven Student Loan Debt Will Be Tax-Free
Coronavirus and Your Money President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package lays the groundwork to forgive some student loan debt.
By Emma Patch Published
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Flying This Summer? What to Expect
Travel Depending on your destination, you may need to show a negative COVID test or even prove you’ve been vaccinated.
By Emma Patch Published
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New Challenges for a Church
Empty Nesters With Sunday services online, this minister’s congregation is finding ways to stay connected.
By Emma Patch Published
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A New Chapter for This Bookstore
Coronavirus and Your Money Katrina and COVID haven’t deterred the owner of a used bookstore from catering to his clientele.
By Emma Patch Published
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What to Expect if You're Flying in 2021
Travel Policies enacted by the airlines in 2020 may change air travel for the long haul.
By Emma Patch Published
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Rapper Moves From Music to Merchandise
Making Your Money Last This rapper has pivoted from putting on live shows to selling T-shirts and tote bags.
By Emma Patch Published
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How to Stay Safe on the Slopes
Coronavirus and Your Money Ski resorts have made changes to deal with COVID. Here’s what to expect.
By Emma Patch Published
Coronavirus and Your Money