Cara Smith

Lead Writer | Investing, auto loans, cryptocurrency

Cara Smith is a lead writer at NerdWallet, where she writes about investing, cryptocurrency and auto loans. She has reported on commercial real estate, housing and general business for Houston Business Journal, CoStar News and other publications. She studied journalism and psychology at the University of Houston, where she served as the editor-in-chief of its student newspaper. She is based in Chicago, where she searches night and day for authentic Tex-Mex in the Midwest.

Education: B.A. in journalism from University of Houston
Previous experience: CoStar News, Houston Business Journal

Cara's picks

Experts Share Tips on Overcoming the Disparity in Generational Wealth

by Elizabeth Ayoola

No matter where you are on your financial journey, it’s not too late to start building generational wealth through investing.

6 AAPI Financial Influencers to Follow in 2023

by June Sham, Meghan Coyle, Ronita Choudhuri-Wade, Cara Smith

Six financial professionals reflect on the complex relationship between Asian Americans and money, dispelling generational norms, and why there’s no winning in the comparison game.

Biden Student Loan Forgiveness: Judge Blocks ‘Plan B’ Relief For Millions

by Eliza Haverstock

Biden has forgiven $175 billion in student loans for five million people so far. His forgiveness ‘plan B’ could provide more relief to vulnerable borrowers — but lawsuits stand in the way.

The latest from Cara

Project 2025 Calls for Big Changes to Medicare, Medicaid

The nearly 900-page conservative policy platform proposes major overhauls for a wide range of government programs and agencies.

Global IT Outage Affects Banks, Airlines, More

The outage, caused by an error and not the result of a hack, halted business operations around the globe early Friday.

Is Bloomberg’s $1 Billion Medical School Gift the Biggest Ever?

Bloomberg’s gift to Johns Hopkins University is the second billion-dollar donation to a college or university just this year.

What to Say in a Job Interview

Be ready to talk about your career experiences and impact, and your interest in the job.

Consumer Sentiment Rises Again: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

Consumer sentiment, also known as consumer confidence, measures how U.S. consumers feel about the economy, wages, jobs and their personal finances.

8 Top Car-Buying Apps

Buying a car can be complicated. These apps offer unique features and helpful tools that can simplify the process.

What Is the Best Streaming Service for You? How to Choose

Here's how to decide what programming matters to you, figure out your budget, and compare prices and features.

FTC Votes to Ban Noncompete Agreements for Nearly All Workers

The rule is expected to go into effect in a few months, but legal challenges are expected.

FCC Now Requires ‘Nutrition Labels’ for Internet Service Plans

The broadband facts labels, modeled after nutrition labels, will display prices, speeds and other service facts.

What a Kroger-Albertsons Merger Could Mean for Grocery Shoppers

Antitrust experts fear the deal, which would be the largest grocery merger in U.S. history, would harm workers and consumers alike.

When to Quit Your Job

Only quit your job after assessing your financial situation and, if possible, trying to fix any problems at work.

CFPB Slashes Credit Card Late Fees to $8

The lower fee will mean an average savings of $220 per year for the millions of credit card customers who are charged late fees.

How to Quit Your Job

Before meeting with your manager, write a short resignation letter.

Examples of Thank-you Emails to Send After an Interview

Send an email within 24 hours of the interview, and focus on your appreciation and an interview highlight or two.

How to Prepare for a Job Interview in 9 Steps

You'll want to review common interview questions, research the company and reflect on your prior experience.