Lisa Gerstner
Lisa has been with Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine for more than 15 years and became editor in June 2023. She started with Kiplinger as an American Society of Magazine Editors intern in 2006, was hired as a copy editor in 2007 and later began reporting and writing on a range of personal-finance topics, including credit, banking and retirement. For several years, she compiled the magazine’s annual rankings of the best rewards credit cards and the best banks, and she assembled the survey and results for Kiplinger’s first Readers’ Choice Awards in 2023.
Lisa has shared her expertise as a guest with many media outlets around the nation, including the Today Show, CNN, Fox, NPR and Cheddar.
Lisa was an Honors College student at Ball State University, in Muncie, Ind., and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in magazine journalism and history. During her time as a student, she was editor-in-chief of the campus magazine and an intern at the Indianapolis Business Journal as well as her hometown newspaper, the Wapakoneta Daily News. She received Ball State’s “Graduate of the Last Decade” award in 2014.
A military spouse, Lisa experiences firsthand the financial challenges and opportunities for military families. Born and raised in Ohio, she has moved around the U.S. - from Washington, D.C., to Las Vegas to southern New Mexico – and currently lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and two sons. When she finds free time, she loves to travel (especially to national parks), hike, try new recipes in the kitchen, and get on the mat to practice yoga.
Latest articles by Lisa Gerstner
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Why Your Credit Score May Drop When You Shop for a New Phone Plan
credit & debt Wireless carriers often use a scoring system that differs from the traditional credit score when it reviews new mobile customers.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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Rewards Cards: Watch Out for These Category Catches
credit & debt Playing the rewards-card game is not without some pitfalls. We warn you about the biggest.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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Make the Most of Steady Interest Rates
credit & debt The Fed is putting a pause on rate hikes. Here’s what borrowers and savers should do now.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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8 Steps to Appeal Your Property Tax Bill
taxes Home values are rising across the country, which means many homeowners’ property taxes are now going up, too.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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It's Easier to Rent a Car With a Debit Card
credit & debt At Dollar Car Rental and Thrifty Car Rental, you now face fewer requirements to rent using a debit rather than a credit card. And the hold on a renter’s bank account dropped from $350 to $200.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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Identity Theft: Act Now to Protect Yourself
Scams Identity thieves are more skilled at their nefarious craft than ever.
By Miriam Cross Published
Scams -
Get a Head Start on College Savings
Paying for College It’s a daunting prospect. In 18 years, attending an in-state public college for four years will likely cost a total of about $233,000.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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A New Way to Tap and Pay
Technology Seventy-eight of the top 100 U.S. merchants can now handle contactless transactions, and more contactless cards are rolling out.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
Technology -
How to Avoid Paying 17 Pesky Fees
spending Fees aren’t just annoying—they’re expensive.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
spending -
Estate Planning: A Family Affair
savings Use our guide to save on taxes, avoid probate and keep peace among your heirs.
By Eileen Ambrose Published
savings -
Savings Bonds for the Holidays?
investing Rising interest rates won’t affect savings bonds, which makes them a money-smart gift for a young child. Here’s our top pick.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
investing -
Best Ways to Give Rewards Miles and Points
Travel You may want to be generous with your credits, but the carriers have other ideas. Transfers are pricey (and limited).
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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A Visit With Mr. Money Mustache
retirement Pete Adeney “retired” at age 30 and has been working hard ever since to inspire his FIRE followers.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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New Rules for Mobile Deposits
credit & debt The change is designed to help ensure that mobile banking app users aren't able to deposit a check online and then again at a brick-and-mortar bank.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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10 Best Credit Unions Almost Anyone Can Join, 2018
credit union Credit unions are nonprofit institutions owned by their members -- meaning they tend to offer accounts and services that are more customer-friendly than those of large national banks.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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Pump Up Your Credit-Card Gas Rebates
credit & debt With prices at the pump climbing, some gas-brand credit cards are ramping up their discount offers.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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5 Great Second Career Moves
careers Many people suffer from job burnout, but making the decision to change careers can be a bit overwhelming, especially after decades of building expertise.
By Miriam Cross Published
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California Ramps Up Privacy Protection
Technology A new law may spur other states—or the feds—to give you more control over your online data.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
Technology -
Earn More Interest on Your Savings
credit & debt Money market deposit accounts and savings accounts provide safe, easily accessible places to store cash.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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Online Shopping Could Get Pricier
taxes States now have more latitude to collect sales tax on internet purchases.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
taxes -
14 Little-Known Credit Card Perks
credit cards Rewards points and cash back aren’t the only benefits of paying with plastic.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit cards -
Best Regional Banks, 2018
savings Regional banks have a smaller reach than big national banks, but many are large enough to offer considerable resources for their customers.
By Miriam Cross Published
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Best Banks for Small-Business Owners, 2018
business A small-business owner's banking needs depend on the nature of the company.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
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Best Banks for Retirees, 2018
savings Our top banks in this category offer extra discounts and perks if you're 65 or older (or 60 or older, in the case of our runner-up), such as breaks on fees and free or discounted checks and safe-deposit boxes.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
savings