Erin El Issa

Senior Writer | Data analysis, personal finance, credit cards

Erin El Issa writes data-driven studies about personal finance, credit cards, travel, investing, banking and student loans. She loves numbers and aims to demystify data sets to help consumers improve their financial lives. Before becoming a Nerd in 2014, she worked as a tax accountant and freelance personal finance writer. Erin's work has been cited by The New York Times, CNBC, the "Today" show, Forbes and elsewhere. In her spare time, Erin reads voraciously and tries in vain to keep up with her two kids. She is based in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Education: B.B.A. in accounting from Cleveland State University
Previous experience: Tax accountant

Erin's picks

ESG for Beginners: Environmental, Social and Governance Investing

by Alana Benson

ESG, or environmental, social and governance investing, is a way to build a more ethical portfolio.

8 Tactics to Break the Credit Card Debt Cycle

by Melissa Lambarena

If you’re ready to give credit cards a second chance, a few tactics may lay the groundwork for a successful relationship.

Smart Money Podcast: Nerdy Deep Dive: How to Reduce Child Care Costs

by Sean Pyles, Amanda Barroso, Alieza Durana

The latest from Erin

If You’re in Credit Card Debt, Forget About Rewards

More than 1 in 5 Americans (21%) have used a credit card to earn rewards in the past 12 months despite having credit card debt, according to a NerdWallet survey.

Survey: Majority of Americans Have Money Regrets in 2024

Nearly 7 in 10 Americans (69%) say they have financial regrets for 2024, according to a new NerdWallet survey.

Survey: Many Gift-Buying Parents Pressured to Overspend This Holiday Season

NerdWallet’s holiday spending survey finds that parents of minor children have plans to spend big on gifts and travel this upcoming holiday season.

2024 Holiday Spending Report

NerdWallet’s annual holiday shopping and travel survey shows that spending is up for both categories this year, but some are still paying off their debt from last year’s holiday expenses.

2024 State of Banking Report

NerdWallet’s latest banking survey finds that some Americans opened new savings accounts in the past 12 months, with higher interest rates being a top motivator for doing so.

2024 Medicare and Retirement Report

A new NerdWallet survey finds that most Medicare enrollees are satisfied with their coverage, but have concerns about the longevity of the Medicare program.

2024 Back-to-School Shopping Report

Back-to-school shoppers are taking steps to save on supplies and clothes for their kids for the upcoming year, according to a new NerdWallet survey.

30% of Student Loan Borrowers Say College Wasn’t Worth the Debt

Some student loans borrowers think they’ll be in debt for decades, or possibly forever, according to a new NerdWallet survey.

2024 Cost of Beauty Report

Spending on beauty products, services and procedures is sending some Americans into debt, a new NerdWallet survey finds. Social media may be part of the problem.

2024 Insurance Dishonesty Report

New NerdWallet survey data finds that some Americans think it’s acceptable to lie on insurance applications. They may not be aware of the consequences.

2024 Financially Assisting Aging Parents Report

A new NerdWallet survey finds that more than a third of Americans (36%) think their parents will need financial assistance as they age, but not everyone can afford to help.

2024 Financial Angst Report

Most Americans feel financial stress and find at least one money topic intimidating, according to a new NerdWallet study.

2024 Summer Travel Report

Millions of Americans are getting out of town this summer, according to a new NerdWallet survey. But for some, inflation is keeping them grounded.

Why Don’t Some Millennials Want Kids? They Say It’s Too Expensive

A new NerdWallet survey finds that just 25% of millennials who don’t have kids plan to have them. A major reason why? The high cost of raising children.

2024 Cost of Raising Children Report

A new NerdWallet survey found that 56% of Americans under age 60 who don’t have kids say they don’t plan to have them. For many, it’s because of the cost.