Kimberly Palmer

Senior Writer/Spokesperson | Personal finance, budgeting, family finances

Kimberly Palmer is a personal finance expert at NerdWallet. She is also the author of three books about money: "Smart Mom, Rich Mom," "The Economy of You" and “Generation Earn.” Kimberly's work also appears at NerdWallet Canada.

In addition to writing a column published in outlets across the U.S., Kimberly takes readers behind the scenes and shares how she follows personal finance advice in her own life. Read Kimberly's first-person pieces.

Education: B.A. in history from Amherst College, M.P.P. from The University of Chicago
Awards: Henry Luce Foundation Fellowship, Journalists in Aging Fellowship, Gerontological Society of America
Previous experience: US News & World Report, AARP Magazine

Featured video

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Should I Lend Money to Friends?

If your best friend suddenly loses their job and is falling behind on rent or mortgage payments, how can you best help them out?

Kimberly's picks

Learn About Your Money in Small, Manageable Steps

by Laura McMullen

Smart Money Podcast: Protecting Your Privacy, and Front-Loading a 401(k)

by Sean Pyles, Liz Weston, CFP®, Alana Benson

How to Protect Your Spending Power From Inflation

by Hal M. Bundrick, CFP®

Kimberly has also nerded out in...

Quotes and interviews

The New York Times. Prepping for the Year of Many, Many Weddings.
Good Morning America. Tips to skip shipping this holiday season and get products faster.

Other publications

The Washington Post, The Associated Press, MarketWatch

The latest from Kimberly

The Secret to Making Successful Financial New Year’s Resolutions

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

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.

Smart Money Podcast — How You Could Grow $26K to $44K in 7 Years: Smart Strategies to Try

Learn how to diversify investments, leverage tax-advantaged accounts, and set realistic goals for long-term financial growth.

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.

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 to Go Cashless While Also Avoiding Credit Card Debt

Tracking your spending, using prepaid cards and setting low credit limits can prevent you from spending money you don't have when using digital payment methods.

Smart Money Podcast — Why Women Outperform When Investing — And How You Can, Too

Learn how women can excel at investing, overcome financial challenges, and build wealth with practical strategies.

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

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

Smart Money Podcast: How to Maximize Rewards on Big Credit Card Purchases

Get tips for saving money on Halloween costumes and decorations, plus how to leverage credit cards when making big purchases.

I Used a Card Deck to Talk About Money With My Husband

Specific prompts made a potentially awkward discussion a little bit easier.

How to Take Control of Awkward Money Conversations

When families get together, uncomfortable financial discussions can follow. Here’s how to navigate them.

How to Get Money Advice Without a Side of Shame

Overly rigid financial advice can lead to negative feelings; opting for a more flexible approach can help.

How to Avoid Job Scams

Spotting job scams starts with noticing red flags such as mismatched URLs and unusual methods of communication.