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Lauren Schwahn

Senior Writer & Content Strategist | Personal finance, debt, credit scoring, budgeting

Lauren Schwahn is a writer at NerdWallet who covers credit scoring, debt, budgeting and money-saving strategies. She contributed to the "Millennial Money" column for The Associated Press and managed a team of writers producing content for the series. Her work has also been featured by USA Today, MSN, The Washington Post and more. Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is based in San Francisco.

Education:
B.A. in history from University of California, Santa Cruz
Organizations:
The Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing

Lauren's picks

Emergency Fund: What It Is and Why It Matters

by Margarette Burnette

Best kept in a savings account, an emergency fund is useful for unexpected expenses.

50/30/20 Budget Calculator

by Elizabeth Ayoola

Enter your monthly after-tax income into this free budget calculator to create a budget.

Pay Off Debt: Strategies and Tips

by Tiffany Curtis, Lauren Schwahn

Learn strategies for whittling down what you owe, and get insight into the best approach depending on your debt load.

Lauren has also nerded out in...

Other publications

MarketWatch, Nasdaq.com, The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today

The latest from Lauren

Finance Writers Share Regrets From Prime Days Past

Impulse buys and overspending helped us rethink our shopping approach.

What I Learned From My First Meeting With a Financial Advisor

Finding and talking to a financial advisor wasn't as intimidating as I expected.

Are You a HENRY?

HENRY stands for “High Earner, Not Rich Yet.” You may be a HENRY if you have a six-figure income but high living costs are keeping you from building wealth.

The House's recent budget reconciliation bill includes a provision to increase the state and local tax, or SALT, deduction limit. If the changes make it through the Senate, certain taxpayers could see big tax breaks.

Tax Deductions Might Go Up. Would You Benefit?

Lawmakers could increase the state and local tax, or SALT, deduction limits. This could mean bigger tax breaks for high earners. Here's what you can do to prepare.

How to Cut Spending Without Cutting Out Small Businesses

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

What Moody’s U.S. Credit Rating Downgrade Means for Treasurys

Tariffs, the future of the CFPB, taxes and interest rates all have the potential to affect your debt in 2025. Here's how to handle it.

4 Factors That Could Affect Your Debt — and What You Can Do

Tariffs and interest rates are among the things that can affect how much debt you take on, and how expensive it will be to repay.

Smart Money Podcast: Marriage and Money Myths — and Why the Economy Feels ‘Off’

Understand the financial pros and cons of marriage, from taxes to credit scores, and how it impacts your future.

Should you use your tax refund to pay off debt?

Should You Use Your Tax Refund to Pay Off Debt?

Here are some things to consider before using your tax refund to make a dent in your debt.

Woman sitting with phone and credit card

What Is Layaway, and Should You Use It for Black Friday Shopping?

3 Black Friday Scams to Watch for and How to Stay Safe

A phone call and a little preparation may be able to save you money on internet, phone, cable or utility bills.

Slash Your Bills With a Phone Call: 7 Pro Negotiating Tips

If you’re looking to cut expenses before the holidays, being polite, knowing competitor rates and highlighting your loyalty may help you save on your bills.

Woman with long dark hair sitting on a bed or couch next to a window looking at her phone to illustrate Holiday Deals Are Here. Don't Let Debt Follow

Holiday Deals Are Here. Don’t Let Debt Follow

Make a budget, research retailer policies and compare prices to keep holiday debt at bay.

How to Protect Your Social Security Number

While you can’t freeze your Social Security number, you can take steps to protect it, such as blocking electronic access to it and storing your documents in a safe place.

Aura Review 2025: Is This Identity Theft Protection App Worth the Cost?

Aura's plans are $15-$50 a month. The service offers broad security and a generous family plan. Still, there may be cheaper ways to protect yourself.