Anna Helhoski

Senior Writer | Economic news, consumer finance trends, student loan debt

Anna Helhoski is a senior writer covering economic news and trends in consumer finance at NerdWallet. She cohosts and produces Money News segments of NerdWallet's Smart Money podcast. She is also an authority on student loans. She joined NerdWallet in 2014. Her work has been syndicated in news outlets nationwide including The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today. She previously covered local news in the New York metro area for the Daily Voice and New York state politics for The Legislative Gazette. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Purchase College, State University of New York.

Education: B.A. in journalism from Purchase College, State University of New York
Awards: SABEW’s 2023 Goldschmidt FRED Fellowship
Organizations: The Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, Online News Association, Society of Professional Journalists — Deadline Club
Previous experience: Daily Voice, The Legislative Gazette

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Junk Fees Explained: Removing The "Hidden" In Hidden Fees

Junk fees, or hidden fees, are costs that are added at the end of checkout that can really add up and increase total costs. Anna Helhoski details what exactly junk fees are and current laws to increase transparency on these fees.

Anna's picks

Egg Prices Are Rising Again. Here’s Why They’re So High

by Taryn Phaneuf

The average cost of a dozen Grade A large eggs was $3.65 in November, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Current U.S. Inflation Rate: 2.7% in November 2024

by Tiffany Lam-Balfour, Alieza Durana

Inflation increased 0.3% in November, putting the current inflation rate at 2.7%. Understanding inflation, why it matters and how to handle it can help when making financial decisions.

What Is a Union and How Does a Union Work?

by Anna Helhoski, Taryn Phaneuf

A union is a group of workers who join together to negotiate pay, benefits, scheduling and other workplace policies and conditions.

Anna has also nerded out in...

Quotes and interviews

NBC Los Angeles. Student Loan Borrower Says He Was Duped Into Pricey Consolidation Service.
Check Your Balances. Student Loans with Anna Helhoski.
CNBC. Biden will extend payment pause for student loan borrowers. Yet timeline remains unclear.
CNBC. Debt balances rise as the debate over extending student loan forgiveness continues in Congress.
CNN Business. You don't have to pay your federal student loans right now, but here's why you should.
Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Parent PLUS Debt Relief: the Good and Bad.
Boston 25 News. Debt forgiveness? How Mass. leaders feel about the student loan burden.
Newsweek. Are Student Loan Payments Deferred? Trump Executive Order on Student Loans Explained.
ABC: Start Here podcast. April 7.

Other publications

The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bloomberg, CBS News, ABC News, CNBC, San Francisco Chronicle, Time, The Independent

The latest from Anna

The Year in Money: Inflation Eased, Optimism Ticked Upward

After a bumpy post-pandemic road, the economy has settled down. What will 2025 (and a new administration) bring?

What Does the U.S. Manufacture and How Does It Impact the Economy?

Manufacturing is one of the largest sectors of the U.S. economy and contributes 10% of the country’s output.

What a Trump Win Means For Your Personal Finances and the Economy

Multiple analyses of Trump's economic plans project that his presidency is likely to reignite inflation.

Can Kamala Harris Really Add New Housing, Make It Cheaper?

Harris has outlined plans to add 3 million new housing units over the next four years.

Smart Money Podcast — How the Next President Could Shift Health Care Costs and Student Loans

Learn how the presidential candidates' policies on health care and student loans differ in how they could impact your finances.

Labor expert: Trump’s Immigration Plan Would ‘Wreak Havoc’ on Workforce, Economy

Mass deportation would hit immigrant-dominant job sectors like construction, agriculture, hospitality and retail.

Smart Money Podcast — Paycheck Politics: What Presidential Tax Plans May Mean for Your Wallet

Explore how the 2024 presidential candidates' tax plans could impact your finances and what to know before voting.

How Trump and Harris Aim to Address Your Health Care

Health care policy proposals from the presidential candidates have been light on details.

Smart Money Podcast — How Presidential Policies Affect Prices: Tariffs, Price Control, Immigration and More

Learn how presidential policies on tariffs, immigration, and prices can impact your everyday expenses like groceries and gas.

Smart Money Podcast — Election Economics: How Can Presidents Really Impact Your Pocketbook?

Learn what powers the president does and does not have to influence the economy and your wallet.

VP Hopefuls Debate Economic Policy — More Substantively Than Their Running Mates

JD Vance and Tim Walz focused mostly on policy, particularly economic issues, at their only debate.

What Trump and Harris Have in Store for Your Taxes

Most, if not all, of the candidates’ tax proposals would need approval by Congress.

How Harris and Trump Want to Battle Inflation and Lower Prices

Presidents have little direct control over inflation, but that doesn't stop candidates from floating proposals.

Trump, Harris Spar on Economy and More in Feisty Debate

The first and perhaps only debate between the presidential candidates touched on inflation, health care and tariffs.

What’s All the Fuss About Tips and Taxes?

Both presidential candidates have touted no-tax-on-tips pledges, but experts say it’s bad policy.