
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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How to Protect Your Rewards Points and Miles From Theft
Travel Monitor your loyalty rewards as you would your bank accounts.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
Travel -
Lessons From the Credit-Score Elite
credit & debt Simple steps for how to improve your credit score.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit & debt -
Don't Be Burned by Deferred Interest
credit & debt You'll feel the pain if you fail to pay off your store card before the 0% period ends.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit & debt -
Boomers Cashing Out Their Art Collections
Smart Buying That spells opportunity for buyers of modern and contemporary art.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
Smart Buying -
7 Budgeting Tools to Get Your Finances in Order
Budgeting We admit it: Budgeting is drudgery, a pain, the pits among personal finance tasks.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
Budgeting -
7 Smart Moves to Prevent Identity Theft
Financial Planning Data breaches got you worried?
By Lisa Gerstner Published
Financial Planning -
8 Best Wireless Phone Plans for Every Type of User
Smart Buying Because the wireless carriers are no longer subsidizing phone prices with most of their plans, buying a smartphone these days will cost you a pretty penny—especially if you want a top-of-the-line device.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
Smart Buying -
How to Fix Errors on Your Credit-Card Bill
credit & debt Start with the merchant in question, but don't be afraid to escalate a dispute to your credit card issuer.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit & debt -
3 Surprisingly Great Kirkland-Brand Products at Costco
Smart Buying You can save money and find quality in the warehouse chain's signature food and spirits line.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
Smart Buying -
How to Get Your First Credit Card
credit & debt Plus, how to use it wisely and earn the lowest interest rates.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit & debt -
Mobile Check Deposit: Give It a Shot
credit & debt Mobile check deposit is catching on. In the past year, one in three Americans submitted a check to their bank account using a smartphone or other device.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit & debt -
Time to Stock Up at the Grocery Store
spending Eggs, meat, coffee and cheese are cheaper thanks to bumper crops and low fuel prices.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
spending -
Best Websites and Tools to Save on Your Health, 2016
savings Keys to finding less-expensive pharmaceuticals and cutting costs for health care.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
savings -
The Best Personal-Finance Websites, Apps and Software of 2016
Technology Get a jump on your 2017 finances with these solid financial tools and games.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
Technology -
Max Out Your Credit-Card Rewards Points for Holiday Shopping
credit & debt You may get the most value by transferring points or miles.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit & debt -
Best Credit Cards for Loyal Car Buyers
credit & debt Loyal to a particular car brand? An auto rewards card may be for you.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit & debt -
Best Deals in Online Banking, 2016
savings Many customers are saying bye-bye to national and large regional banks.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
savings -
Is the Wells Fargo Controversy Damaging Your Credit Score?
credit & debt Here's how to check all recent accounts opened in your name, plus your credit reports.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit & debt -
Consumers Get a Break on Overdraft Fees
credit & debt Some banks are still charging hefty transfer fees.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit & debt -
Is Credit-Card Debt Out of Control?
credit & debt Balances are on the rise, but defaults are still low.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit & debt -
3 Great Credit Cards for Small Businesses
credit & debt Separate your business and personal spending with our picks for no-fee business cards.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit & debt -
Free FICO Credit Scores for Everyone
credit & debt Thanks to a new program, you can find out your score at no cost.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
credit & debt -
How to Find the Right Financial Adviser for You and Your Money
Financial Planning Financial advisers come in a confusing array of professional designations, with different fee structures and areas of expertise.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
Financial Planning -
Your Rights and Protections When Working With a Financial Adviser
Financial Planning You can file complaints against financial advisers with government agencies or industry watchdogs.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
Financial Planning