Lisa Gerstner
Contributing Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Lisa has spent 15 years with Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and heads up the magazine’s annual rankings of the best banks, best rewards credit cards, and financial-services firms with the best customer service. She reports on a variety of other topics, too, from retirement to health care to money concerns for millennials. She has shared her expertise as a guest on the Today Show, CNN, Fox, NPR, Cheddar and many other media outlets around the nation. Lisa graduated from Ball State University and received the school’s “Graduate of the Last Decade” award in 2014. A military spouse, she has moved around the U.S. and currently lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and two sons.
How Our Family Fights Inflation
Budgeting
How Our Family Fights Inflation
Millennials typically spend more than other generations on certain expenses that have been increasing most rapidly. Here are some tips to cut your los…
April 27, 2022
The Best Rewards Credit Cards for You, 2022
rewards credit cards
The Best Rewards Credit Cards for You, 2022
Our top picks offer cash back, miles or points you can use to buy groceries or gas, pay for travel or boost savings.
April 20, 2022
Free Credit Monitoring for Equifax Breach Victims
credit reports
Free Credit Monitoring for Equifax Breach Victims
Millions of consumers whose data may have been exposed have been notified to sign up for the monitoring service.
March 17, 2022
8 Steps to Appeal Your Property Tax Bill
taxes
8 Steps to Appeal Your Property Tax Bill
Home values are rising across the country, which means many homeowners’ property taxes are now going up, too.
March 10, 2022
The FIRE Movement Is Alive and Well
Basics
The FIRE Movement Is Alive and Well
The pandemic didn’t derail the Financial Independence, Retire Early movement. In fact, it gave it new life.
February 24, 2022
Conforming Mortgage Loan Limits for 2022 Rising
Becoming a Homeowner
Conforming Mortgage Loan Limits for 2022 Rising
For 2022, the standard conforming limit for single-unit properties is $647,200, up nearly $100,000 from the 2021 cap.
January 25, 2022
Make a Plan for Your Parents' Care
Caregiving
Make a Plan for Your Parents' Care
The ideal time to begin talking with your parents is before they need care.
January 24, 2022
Freeze Your Credit in 3 Steps
credit & debt
Freeze Your Credit in 3 Steps
Freezing your accounts at the three major credit bureaus is the best way to prevent thieves from opening new credit accounts in your name.
January 10, 2022
Kiplinger’s Best Firms for Customer Service: Banks, Credit Cards and More
banking
Kiplinger’s Best Firms for Customer Service: Banks, Credit Cards and More
We evaluated major banks, credit card issuers, mortgage lenders, and home and auto insurers to see how well they treat their clients.
December 21, 2021
Earn 7.12% With Series I Bonds
Basics
Earn 7.12% With Series I Bonds
A savings or money market deposit account is best for quick cash, but I bonds can fit into a longer-term savings plan.
November 29, 2021
How to Choose the Right Payment App
banking
How to Choose the Right Payment App
Using PayPal, Venmo, Zelle and other apps is convenient, but there are pros and cons to each.
November 23, 2021
Donate Crypto for a Tax Break
Financial Planning
Donate Crypto for a Tax Break
If you're wondering how to avoid taxes from selling crypto that's appreciated significantly, one answer might be in a donor-advised fund.
November 22, 2021
10 Ways to Save On Your Cell Phone Plan
family savings
10 Ways to Save On Your Cell Phone Plan
We’ve rounded up 10 techniques to cut expenses on both your cell phone plan and your device.
November 10, 2021
10 Best Financial Benefits for Military Families
savings
10 Best Financial Benefits for Military Families
Service members face a range of threats – from the lethal to the financial. A wide array of generous benefits and programs are meant to offset some of…
November 9, 2021
Boost Your Retirement Savings for 2021, 2022
Financial Planning
Boost Your Retirement Savings for 2021, 2022
The time is now to maximize contributions. Also, if you’ve got required minimum or charitable distributions to make, that deadline is coming up.
October 29, 2021
Earn 3.54% With Series I Bonds
Financial Planning
Earn 3.54% With Series I Bonds
A savings or money market deposit account is best for quick cash, but I bonds can fit into a longer-term savings plan.
June 23, 2021
The Best Bank for You
Making Your Money Last
The Best Bank for You
Check out our list of the best candidates for your next financial institution based on interest rates, fees and other features.
June 22, 2021
Keep Moving Costs in Check
Making Your Money Last
Keep Moving Costs in Check
If I've learned anything, it's that moving is almost always more costly and time-consuming than I anticipate.
June 18, 2021
Protect Yourself Against New ID-Theft Schemes
Scams
Protect Yourself Against New ID-Theft Schemes
Crooks are using more-sophisticated tricks to steal your data. It's time to improve your armor.
May 27, 2021
Credit Card Perks for Car Rentals
Travel
Credit Card Perks for Car Rentals
Certain cards can boost your status in a rental company’s loyalty program and give you an edge.
May 24, 2021
4 Ways to Use Mobile Wallets
Smart Buying
4 Ways to Use Mobile Wallets
Beyond contactless payments, mobile wallets let you send money to a friend, get cash-back rewards and more.
April 28, 2021
20 Ways to Save on Health Care
health insurance
20 Ways to Save on Health Care
From maximizing insurance benefits to shopping for discounts to funding tax-advantaged accounts, these tips will lower your costs no matter how you ge…
March 31, 2021
Get Free Weekly Credit Reports for Another Year
Coronavirus and Your Money
Get Free Weekly Credit Reports for Another Year
Take advantage of the extension to check each report for errors or signs of fraudulent activity.
March 26, 2021
20 Ways to Save on Health Care
health insurance
20 Ways to Save on Health Care
From maximizing insurance benefits to shopping for discounts to funding tax-advantaged accounts, these tips will lower your costs no matter how you ge…
March 19, 2021
How to Keep Tabs on Your Credit Report
Coronavirus and Your Money
How to Keep Tabs on Your Credit Report
Free weekly access is ending, but several services let you view your credit files more than once a year.
March 5, 2021
Smart Ways to Cut Your Utility Bills
Tax Breaks
Smart Ways to Cut Your Utility Bills
Tax breaks and potentially lower home energy costs make these green projects worth a look.
February 24, 2021
Switch Accounts for a Better Yield?
Financial Planning
Switch Accounts for a Better Yield?
If your current account has a reliable history of strong yields, it might be worth sticking around.
February 23, 2021