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

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.

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

Asked on Reddit: Where Should I Put an Unexpected Inheritance?

A windfall from a family member opens up many options, but sometimes simply saving is the best strategy.

PocketGuard App Review for 2025

The free version of PocketGuard limits key budgeting features, but a lifetime membership option makes PocketGuard Plus worth considering.

4 Ways to Make Learning About Money a Blast

Turn financial literacy lessons into a game to make them more engaging.

How to Shop Amid Tariff Uncertainty

More tariffs may be ahead, but there are ways consumers can prepare.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Using AI to Manage Your Finances

AI tools can be a helpful thought partner when it comes to learning about finances, but they may not be the best resource for personalized advice.

How to Create a Spending Plan

Financial planning is as much about how to spend money as it is about how to save money.

Discussed on Reddit: How to Survive a Period of Unemployment

Going without income as a result of unemployment creates financial stress, but there are ways to make it a little bit easier.

When to Splurge and When to Save

Splurging can be a smart move, but it often requires proactive planning.

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.