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Brett Holzhauer

Personal Finance Reporter

About the Author

Brett Holzhauer is a senior financial writer and editor with more than a decade of experience covering personal finance, consumer debt, investing, and the U.S. economy. He has written for major national outlets, including Forbes and CNBC, where his reporting has helped readers navigate everything from market volatility and retirement planning to credit, debt, and consumer behavior.

Brett’s perspective is shaped by the realities facing millennials and younger professionals: rising housing costs, student debt, shifting labor markets, and the growing gap between traditional financial advice and modern economic life.

He is particularly interested in opportunity cost, behavioral finance, and how technology is reshaping the way people save, spend, and invest.

A graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University, Brett brings editorial rigor, data fluency, and a strong consumer lens to every piece he publishes. In his off time, he is either traveling or watching college football.

Expertise

  • Personal Finance Research and Reporting

Education

  • Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State

Brett's Latest Articles

A young borrower appears concerned while reviewing finances on a laptop, with student loan debt imagery in the background, illustrating the financial strain facing borrowers who are delinquent or in default.
Student Loan Default Is Rising: Nearly 10 Million Borrowers Are Affected
Nearly 10 million federal student loan borrowers are in default, with millions more behind on payments. Learn why defaults are rising and what options borrowers have.
5 min readSep 01, 2026
A personal finance writer who reached Coast FIRE at age 32 in a bright home office, illustrating the financial flexibility and independence that Coast FIRE can help create.
Coast FIRE: What It Is & How Our Writer Got There
Coast FIRE can put retirement on autopilot years before you stop working. Learn how it works and how our writer reached Coast FIRE at age 32.
7 min readSep 01, 2026
7 Smart Money Moves to Make Before the End of 2026 – A Financial Checklist
7 Smart Money Moves to Make Before the End of 2026 – A Financial Checklist
A mid-year financial checklist can help you finish 2026 on stronger financial footing. Review recent student loan changes, reduce high-interest debt, boost retirement savings, strengthen your emergency fund, and prepare for year-end with these practical money moves.
8 min readJul 16, 2026
What Happens If I Can't Pay a Judgment?
What Happens If I Can’t Pay a Judgment?
If you can't pay a judgment, you still have options. Learn what creditors can legally do to collect, which assets may be protected, and how payment plans, settlements, or debt relief strategies can help you move forward.
10 min readJun 28, 2026
Federal Student Loan Rules Are Changing Significantly Starting in July 2026 – Here’s What You Need To Know
Federal Student Loan Rules Are Changing Significantly Starting in July 2026 – Here’s What You Need To Know
Federal student loan rules are changing in 2026, introducing new repayment plans and updated forgiveness rules. Here's what borrowers need to know before the changes take effect.
7 min readJun 27, 2026
Federal Student Loan Debt Changes
Federal Student Loan Debt Changes – Here’s What You Need To Know
The Department of Education released new guidelines on April 30th outlining rules for the Federal Student Loan program. This was […]
5 min readJun 26, 2026
Person interacting with a digital login screen illustrating password security and password manager technology.
Top 4 Free Password Managers
Managing dozens of passwords doesn't have to cost money. We compared the best free password manager options based on security, […]
11 min readJun 25, 2026
What Happens If You Can't Pay Your Student Loans
What Happens If You Can’t Pay Your Student Loans
If you can’t afford your student loan payments, you still have options. Learn what happens when you miss payments, when loans go into default, and how repayment assistance programs can help you avoid long-term financial consequences.
7 min readJun 24, 2026
Are Data Removal Services Worth It?
Are Data Removal Services Worth It?
Searching your name online can reveal far more personal information than you expect. Data broker sites often display addresses, phone numbers, relatives, and other details collected from public and commercial sources. This guide explains how data removal services work, what they can and cannot remove, their costs, and when paying for one may be worth it compared to handling the process yourself.
8 min readJun 11, 2026
Progressive Auto Insurance Lawsuits
Progressive Auto Insurance Keeps Getting Sued: Here’s Why and What You Need To Know
Progressive is one of the nation's largest auto insurers, but it has also faced a growing number of lawsuits involving vehicle valuations, total-loss settlements, billing practices, and customer data issues. Here's a look at the biggest cases, what they mean for policyholders, and how drivers can protect themselves when filing a claim.
5 min readJun 11, 2026