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Courtney Neidel

Managing Editor | Personal finance, budgeting, shopping

Courtney Neidel is an assigning editor for the core personal finance team at NerdWallet. She joined NerdWallet in 2014 and spent six years writing about shopping, budgeting and money-saving strategies before being promoted to editor. Courtney has been interviewed as a retail authority by "Good Morning America," Cheddar and CBSN. Her prior experience includes freelance writing for California newspapers.

Education:
B.A. in communication studies from California State University, Stanislaus
Previous experience:
The Ripon Record, The Central Valley Business Journal

Courtney's picks

Personal Finance Defined: The Guide to Maximizing Your Money

by Hal M. Bundrick, CFP®

Personal finance is the process of making money, saving money, building wealth and protecting assets.

The Best Budget Apps for 2025

by Laura McMullen, Elizabeth Ayoola, Tommy Tindall

These budget apps vary in scope, methods and features — but they all rank high among users.

How to Budget Money in 5 Steps

by Amanda Barroso, Lauren Schwahn

Divide your income among needs, wants, savings and debt repayment.

Courtney has also nerded out in...

Quotes and interviews

CBS News. What to avoid this Black Friday.

Other publications

The New York Times, The Associated Press, USA Today, The Washington Post

The latest from Courtney

Finance Writers Share Regrets From Prime Days Past

Impulse buys and overspending helped us rethink our shopping approach.

Gas pump

Gas Taxes Rise in California, Washington, Other States

Numerous states adjust the excise tax they charge at the pump annually on July 1. Washington will have the biggest jump at 6 cents per gallon.

4 Ways to Keep Your Financial Data Safe

While it’s impossible to scam-proof your life, you can take steps to limit exposure to scammers.

I Make Six Figures, But I Still Worry About Money

Stressing over money doesn’t stop when you become a high earner. That can be a curse — and a blessing.

Asked on Reddit: Should I Repair or Replace My Broken Appliance?

Weigh the cost of a replacement, age of the appliance and how much you like it.

Practical Ways to Tackle Overspending

Try setting limits for yourself and saving before you spend.

Where to Park Cash if You’re Worried about the Stock Market

If long-term investing has you spooked, you can explore shorter-term options, like high-yield savings accounts, CDs and Treasury bills.

7 Things Financial Experts Wish They Knew in High School

If financial experts were to have coffee with their younger selves, they’d focus on cash management and grace for mistakes.

How to Cut Spending Without Cutting Out Small Businesses

Rethink your budget and change your shopping habits to make room for small businesses.

Asked on Reddit: How to Stop Obsessing About Money

Creating a financial plan can help bring the focus back to things you can control.

Selling Gold: 4 Questions to Ask Before You Do

The cash you can get for gold depends on what you have, where you sell it and the current market rate.

6 Ways to Reduce Financial Stress During Uncertain Times

Stress related to money is pervasive, but there are ways to handle it.

What Kindergartners Should Know About Money

After teaching a class about money to kids, I walked away with the most valuable lesson.

Empower Personal Dashboard Budget App Review

Empower Personal Dashboard gives you a holistic view of your financial situation and allows for basic budgeting for free.

Why ‘Intuitive Budgeting’ Might Be Your New Favorite Budgeting Tool

Following your intuition may be more sustainable than a regimented budgeting approach.