So, What's My Story?

I'm passionate about personal finance. But I was a late convert. In my 20s, despite having two parents with PhDs in accounting, I made almost every money mistake in the book: I cashed out my 401(k), racked up a five-figure credit card debt, and literally lived paycheck to paycheck. For years, I'd told myself that focusing on money issues was boring or superficial. But by the time I finally faced up to my financial problems in my early 30s, I'd become painfully aware of just how deeply it affects every aspect of our lives. My new husband and I had to put off buying a home or starting a family. At that point, I couldn't even afford to visit my sister or parents for the holidays without charging it to a credit card. If something had gone wrong--if my husband or I lost our job or became very ill--we would have been in real trouble. I vowed to turn my finances around and, in less than two years, I did: paying off all my debt, adding thousands to my retirement and savings accounts, and almost doubling my income. And I'm convinced that—armed with the right information, a little confidence, and a good support system--any woman can do the same.

If there is a common thread that unites my various writing projects, it's a desire to help educate, empower, and enlighten readers—particularly in the complicated but critical realm of personal finance. To riff on a phrase from one of my favorite books, Freakonomics, I believe that personal finance, despite a surfeit of obfuscation, mystification, and downright frustration, is not impenetrable, is not unknowable, and—if the right questions are asked—is even more intriguing than we think. (The authors of Freakonomics were referring to the modern world in general, but I think the description is particularly apt for personal finance.)

I've written for several publications, including: The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Worth, Money, Slate.com, and Newsweek, where I was a staff writer and editor for more than six years. I also contributed a chapter to the new book, "Extraordinary Lives," by American Express Publishing. I'm currently at work on my next book.