Courtney Neidel

Assigning 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

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

How to Budget Money in 5 Steps

by Lauren Schwahn

Divide your income among needs, wants, savings and debt repayment, using the 50/30/20 budget.

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

The Secret to Making Successful Financial New Year’s Resolutions

Specific goals tied to your top priorities have the best chance of success.

4 Ways to Hit Your Family Savings Goals in 2025

6 Ways to Avoid a Financial Hangover

Sticking with a spending plan can help minimize debt and overspending.

Here’s What Happened When I Tried the Fetch App

Cash-back apps promise free money, but the truth is a little more complicated.

3 Ways to Earn an Extra $500 for the Holidays

Cut Your Cell Phone Bill With This Script

5 Budget-Friendly Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

With a little planning, preparing the holiday meal can be less expensive than you might think.

How I’m Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner for 10 People for $150

With a budget of $150, I planned a menu for 10, including children and vegetarians.

Best (and Worst) Black Friday Deals of 2024

When is Cyber Monday? Everything You Need To Know

Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year it's Dec. 2. Some Cyber sales are already starting.

3 Reasons to Involve Your Kids in Small Business Saturday

Hiring your children to work on Small Business Saturday can teach them positive work values and give you extra help for the holidays.

5 Ways to Winterize Your Home and Protect Your Budget

Setting money aside for weather-related emergencies and shoring up insulation can help you save when it gets cold.

How Much Does Instacart Pay? I Became a Full-Service Shopper to Find Out

Plan Early, Wait to Buy: The Best Way to Save on Holiday Shopping

Here’s how to navigate the season’s fluctuating prices.

What to Buy (and Skip) in January 2025