profile

Brett Holzhauer

Brett is a personal finance reporter and Certified Personal Finance Counselor. He has written for several leading publications and is mentioned in many others, including CNBC and Forbes Advisor.

All Stories
unmasking-the-factors-that-influence-your-credit-score

Unmasking the Factors That Influence Your Credit Score

Whether you're applying for a loan, a credit card, or even a job, your credit score plays a pivotal role in determining your creditworthiness.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  February 14, 2024
cash-back-credit-cards-101-how-does-it-work-is-it-a-good-idea

Cash Back Credit Cards 101: How Does It Work & Is It a Good Idea?

How do cash back credit cards work? Read on to find out how they work and if it's a good idea for you. If you’re trying to save money, there’s nothing wrong with using a cash back credit card to put a few extra dollars back in your pocket.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  February 1, 2024
a-deep-dive-into-good-credit-scores-what-they-are-and-why-they-matter

A Deep Dive into Good Credit Scores: What They Are and Why They Matter

Credit scores play a pivotal role in financial health, influencing everything from loan approvals to interest rates on credit cards. Understanding what constitutes a good credit score and the reasons behind its significance is crucial for anyone looking to improve their personal finances.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  January 23, 2024
choosing-your-perfect-match-an-in-depth-look-at-types-of-credit-cards

Choosing Your Perfect Match: An In-depth Look at Types of Credit Cards

Choosing a credit card is akin to finding a perfect match—a financial companion that aligns with your lifestyle, spending habits, and financial goals.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  December 22, 2023
understanding-credit-score-basics-essential-for-financial-health

Understanding Credit Score Basics: Essential for Financial Health

Your credit score is a crucial thread that weaves through various aspects of your financial well-being. Whether you're planning to buy a home, get a new credit card, or secure a favorable interest rate on a loan, your credit score plays a pivotal role.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  December 22, 2023
credit-vs-debit-cards-a-comprehensive-guide-to-making-the-right-choice

Credit vs. Debit Cards: A Comprehensive Guide to Making the Right Choice

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the differences between credit and debit cards, their respective advantages and disadvantages, and offer insights to help you make informed decisions based on your financial goals and habits.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  December 22, 2023
buying-a-house-to-rent-out-consider-these-5-things-as-a-landlord

Buying a House To Rent Out? Consider These 5 Things As A Landlord

Going from being a homeowner to also becoming a landlord can be an intimidating process.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  December 21, 2023
new-year-lower-debt-2024-consolidation

New Year, Lower Debt: 2024 Consolidation

If you're staring at a pile of debt that seems insurmountable, fear not—2024 can be the year you take control and consolidate your debts for a brighter financial future.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  December 14, 2023
family-budget-2024-planning-starts-now

Family Budget: 2024 Planning Starts Now

As the new year approaches, it's the perfect time to assess your financial health and lay the groundwork for a prosperous new year.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  December 14, 2023
2024-money-skills-manage-finances-this-year

2024 Money Skills: Manage Finances This Year

Managing finances effectively is a skill that pays dividends throughout life, providing stability, security, and the freedom to pursue our goals.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  December 13, 2023
credit-cards-demystified-how-they-work-and-their-benefits

Credit Cards Demystified: How They Work and Their Benefits

Credit cards are now the most popular payment method in the U.S., but many people have misnomers of how they actually work.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  December 6, 2023
establishing-credit-a-comprehensive-timeline-and-why-its-crucial

Establishing Credit: A Comprehensive Timeline and Why It's Crucial

Your credit score might not be something you think about every day, but it has a significant impact on your financial life.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  December 6, 2023
5-reasons-why-you-should-always-pay-yourself-first

5 Reasons Why You Should Always Pay Yourself First

Long-term wealth isn’t merely sitting on a pile of cash.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  October 4, 2023
divorce-and-money-navigating-finances-during-separation

Divorce and Money: Navigating Finances During Separation

According to the CDC, nearly 700,000 couples decide to call it quits in 2021.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  October 4, 2023
investing-the-important-key-to-building-long-term-wealth

Investing: The Important Key to Building Long-Term Wealth

For anyone looking to grow their long-term wealth, there is one core principle to begin delving into: investing.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  September 29, 2023
cracking-the-credit-code-an-explainer-on-how-credit-works

Cracking the Credit Code: An Explainer on How Credit Works

Credit is an integral part of the American financial system.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  September 29, 2023
avoiding-late-fees-a-comprehensive-guide-to-timely-credit-card-payments

Avoiding Late Fees: A Comprehensive Guide to Timely Credit Card Payments

Credit card late fees are a costly expense to missing your payment date.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  September 27, 2023
the-power-of-an-800-credit-score-unleashing-your-financial-potential

The Power of an 800 Credit Score: Unleashing Your Financial Potential

Your credit score is more than just a number, it's also a powerful tool that can significantly impact your financial life.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  September 27, 2023
are-annual-fees-on-credit-cards-worth-it-an-in-depth-analysis

Are Annual Fees on Credit Cards Worth It? An In-depth Analysis

Credit card annual fees are a contentious point for many...

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  August 24, 2023
weighing-the-pros-and-cons-are-student-credit-cards-a-good-choice

Weighing the Pros and Cons: Are Student Credit Cards a Good Choice?

Weighing the Pros and Cons: Are Student Credit Cards a Good Choice? Student credit cards are a great option for those currently enrolled in school that are looking for spending flexibility and also potentially earn rewards. However, as a student, you’re not restricted to only having student credit cards while you’re in school. When I was enrolled in school, I never had a student credit card as I had other consumer credit cards that better suited my needs. But if you’re just starting your cre

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  August 24, 2023
how-to-use-subscriptions-to-improve-your-credit-score

How to Use Subscriptions to Improve Your Credit Score

Paying your monthly subscription to Netflix, Chewy or your other favorite brands are now, in fact, a subtle way to improve your credit score.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  July 13, 2023
credit-building-timeline-how-long-does-it-really-take

Credit Building Timeline: How Long Does It Really Take?

It’s not the best news to anyone building their credit score, but it’s more akin to consistently working out, rather than climbing a mountain.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  July 13, 2023
credit-mix-using-it-to-build-a-healthy-credit-score

Credit Mix: Using it to Build a Healthy Credit Score

Your credit score is made up of five different parts: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  July 13, 2023
definition-of-financial-health-how-to-know-if-youre-healthy

Definition of Financial Health & How to Know If You're "Healthy"

Just like physical and mental health, there is also financial health to be measured in each person's life. The definition of financial health, according to the Financial Health Network, is “when your daily systems help you build resilience and pursue opportunities.” In short, this means that your responsibilities are taken care of such as rent, food, utilities and other essential costs — giving you the chance to move onto initiatives like investing or starting a business. Taking care of the

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  June 22, 2023
save-this-much-of-your-paycheck-for-a-comfortable-retirement-and-even-retire-early

Save This Much Of Your Paycheck For A Comfortable Retirement (And Even Retire Early!)

If you’re trying to build your financial life, you’ve probably had people tell you to save for retirement, but how much should you be saving?

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  June 22, 2023
5-practical-proven-money-lessons-for-millennials-gen-z

5 Practical & Proven Money Lessons for Millennials & Gen Z

Personal finance can make your eyes glaze over with boredom, or even cause such anxiety that you don’t even want to address it.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  May 22, 2023
how-529-college-savings-plans-work-and-the-5-best-out-there

How 529 College Savings Plans Work, and The 5 Best Out There

Saving for college can be an anxiety-filled goal for many as millions struggle with student loan debt.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  May 22, 2023
here-are-the-5-real-benefits-of-home-ownership-along-with-their-cons

Here Are The 5 Real Benefits of Home Ownership, Along With Their Cons

Purchasing a home is likely the largest purchase you will make in your lifetime, and it comes with several layers to it.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  May 22, 2023
here-are-the-5-tax-benefits-of-buying-a-house

Here Are The 5 Tax Benefits Of Buying A House

If you purchased a home before 2023, you likely will have some tax benefits when it comes to filing your tax return in 2023.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  April 10, 2023
heres-what-it-costs-to-have-a-baby-in-2023

Here's What it Costs to Have a Baby in 2023

Having a baby is an incredible life experience, but it also comes with significant financial overhead as well. A recent study detailed that the delivery of a child can cost nearly $20,000, with the estimated post-insurance costs hovering around $2,800. In the case the birthing parent may need fertility treatments, the cost can quickly skyrocket into the five-figure range. The figures also don’t include any costs such as clothes, food, diapers or follow-up medical appointments. And if you add i

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  March 16, 2023
how-to-improve-your-credit-score-to-buy-a-house-in-6-months

How to Improve Your Credit Score to Buy a House in 6 Months

Buying a home is now increasingly expensive, compared to years ago.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  March 16, 2023
heres-how-much-you-should-contribute-to-your-401-k

Here’s How Much You Should Contribute to Your 401(k)

We all know that saving for retirement is an essential part of your personal finance situation — but too many are either not able to or simply put it off until later.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  March 16, 2023
the-5-steps-of-what-to-do-with-your-tax-refund-in-2023

The 5 Steps of What To Do With Your Tax Refund in 2023

It’s officially tax season, which means Americans will hope to receive a refund check from Uncle Sam in the next few weeks. So far, the average tax refund in 2023 is $3,170, according to the IRS. This presents a solid opportunity to begin your financial wellbeing journey.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  March 16, 2023
5-proven-ways-to-stop-overspending-and-reach-your-financial-goals

5 Proven Ways To Stop Overspending and Reach Your Financial Goals

This happens to everyone at some point in their life — but it’s a habit that can easily be changed with a few decisions.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  March 3, 2023
building-your-first-savings-plan-in-5-quick-steps

Building Your First Savings Plan In 5 Quick Steps

The thought of having and building a savings account and plan is boring and can be easily neglected — but it’s necessary.

profile Brett Holzhauer  |  March 1, 2023

You're almost in

Enter your phone number below and we'll send you a link to download the app to set up your account.

Download the app

Welcome to the future of banking! You're almost done, just download the Current app for your device and complete your account set up.