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Holly Jonhson

Holly Johnson

Holly D. Johnson is a nationally recognized expert and award-winning insurance writer who covers life insurance, health insurance, and various other insurance-related topics for corporations and well-known magazines with millions of readers. Johnson also covers personal finance, credit, credit cards, and loyalty programs for a variety of publications including CNN Underscored, Bankrate, CreditCards.com and Forbes Advisor.

The author is also the founder of Club Thrifty and the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love." She and her husband Greg live in Central Indiana with their two daughters where they enjoy a debt-free lifestyle and travel up to 20 weeks of the year.

Articles by Holly Johnson

Investment Tracking Apps
Investing

Best Investment Tracking Apps of 2022

Updated on January 2, 2022
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7 Min Read
The best investment tracking apps can help you save time as you oversee your portfolio. Find out which investment apps offer the best features, as well as which ones offer a free version you can try out.
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home equity loan vs heloc
Loans

Home Equity Loan vs. HELOC

Updated on March 7, 2023
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4 Min Read
Home equity loans give you a lump sum upfront, whereas HELOCs let you borrow money as you need it. Find out how these loans compare and who they're best for.
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couple moving into their first home
Mortgages

First-Time Home Buyer Programs

Updated on November 20, 2022
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6 Min Read
Many mortgage programs are geared to buyers who need assistance. Find out how first-time home buyer programs work and who can qualify.
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real estate short sale
Mortgages

What Is a Short Sale In Real Estate?

Updated on November 13, 2022
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8 Min Read
Short sales let people sell their home for less than they owe, and buyers can score a deal as a result. Find out how short sales work and what to watch out for.
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Traditional IRA
Retirement

What is a Traditional IRA?

Updated on December 21, 2021
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5 Min Read
A traditional IRA is an individual retirement plan that lets you save even more money for retirement. Find out how this plan works and some of its major advantages.
Read more >
Refinance Your Mortgage
Mortgages

When To Refinance Your Mortgage

Updated on March 13, 2022
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5 Min Read
Refinancing your mortgage can be a smart move, although not always. Find out when you should (and shouldn't) trade in your mortgage for a new one.
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installing solar roof for tax credit ira
Personal Finance

Get Cash Back (Up to $10K or More) for Home Improvements with the Inflation Reduction Act

Updated on October 20, 2022
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6 Min Read
If you live in the U.S., and you are ready to upgrade your home’s energy efficiency, the Inflation Reduction Act can lower your taxes by giving you up to $10,000 in tax credits
Read more >
rate with a lock on it
Mortgages

What Is A Mortgage Rate Lock?

Updated on October 19, 2022
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4 Min Read
A mortgage rate lock can help you save money on your home loan. Learn how locking your rate works and the steps that can make it happen.
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good credit score
Personal Finance

What Is a Good Credit Score?

Updated on April 7, 2022
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4 Min Read
A good credit score starts at 661, although it really depends on the type of scoring model you use. Find out what good credit looks like and how to get it.
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Woman pushes credit score arrow from poor to excellent
Personal Finance

How To Improve Credit Score Fast

Updated on March 13, 2022
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6 Min Read
Improving your credit isn't rocket science, but you do have to treat your credit with care. Find out which steps you can take to boost your credit score fast.
Read more >
Lien sign and house keychain
Mortgages

What Is a Lien?

Updated on October 6, 2022
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5 Min Read
A lien is a legal claim against property you own. Find out how liens work, the types of liens, and how to remove them.
Read more >
Whats Your Plan for Retirement?
Retirement

How to Plan for Retirement

Updated on January 13, 2022
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6 Min Read
Planning for retirement works best when you commit to a strategy early on. Our guide explains the 4 most important steps you can take right now.
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investing in multi family real estate
Investing

Investing in Multi-family Real Estate

Updated on April 7, 2022
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4 Min Read
Multi-family properties work similarly to investing into a single family home, yet there are some additional details (and potential hassles) to keep in mind.
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reit real estate investment fund
Investing

What is a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust)?

Updated on March 29, 2022
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5 Min Read
REITs give you the option to invest in real estate without being a landlord. Find out how they work and why you should consider this type of investment.
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Whats Your Plan for Retirement?
Retirement

Best Retirement Plans of 2022

Updated on January 6, 2022
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8 Min Read
This guide to the best retirement plans of 2022 breaks down some (but not all) of the ways Americans can save for their golden years.
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 Probate Law
Estate Planning

What Is Probate and How Does it Work?

Updated on January 13, 2022
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5 Min Read
Probate is a legal process used to distribute assets when someone passes away. Find out how probate works and when you can avoid it.
Read more >
number of credit cards
Credit Cards

How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?

Updated on August 1, 2022
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6 Min Read
Carrying multiple credit cards can help you maximize rewards and cardholder perks, but there are some serious pitfalls to be aware of.
Read more >
Late Payments on Credit Report
Credit Score

How Long Do Late Payments Stay on My Credit Report?

Updated on July 31, 2022
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4 Min Read
Late payments can stay on your credit reports for up to seven years. Find out how much late payments damage your score and what you can do about it.
Read more >
Dispute An Error On Your Credit Report
Credit Score

How to Dispute An Error On Your Credit Report

Updated on July 17, 2022
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5 Min Read
Consumers can dispute errors on their credit reports online or by mail. Find out how to find errors in the first place, plus how to get them erased.
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Fixed Index Annuity
Retirement

What Is A Fixed Index Annuity?

Updated on January 27, 2022
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5 Min Read
With a fixed index annuity, savers get the benefit of principal protection in a down market without having to give up the opportunity for growth.
Read more >
mortgage points
Mortgages

Mortgage Points: What You Need To Know

Updated on June 9, 2022
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4 Min Read
Mortgage points let you pay a flat fee to secure a lower rate on your home loan. Find out how points work and when it makes sense to buy them.
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Mortgage insurance policy
Mortgages

Mortgage Insurance Guide

Updated on January 13, 2022
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7 Min Read
If you take out a USDA or FHA home loan or you put down less than 20% on a conventional mortgage, you'll need to pay for mortgage insurance.
Read more >
invest multifamily home
Investing

How To Buy Multifamily Homes

Updated on April 6, 2022
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9 Min Read
Multifamily homes can help investors boost cash flow while reducing vacancies. Find out how to source these properties for your portfolio.
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Roth 401k vs traditional 401k
Retirement

Traditional 401(k) vs. Roth 401(k): Which One is Better?

Updated on April 3, 2022
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5 Min Read
Where the traditional 401(k) and Roth 401(k) let you decide when you'll be taxed, both are valuable tools when it comes to saving for retirement. Our guide explains how these plans are similar, how they're different and how you can decide between them.
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What is a 401(k)
Retirement

What is a 401(k)

Updated on April 3, 2022
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8 Min Read
The 401(k) plan is the most popular type of retirement account out there. Find out how this account works, how much you can contribute each year, and why you should care.
Read more >
Annuity sign
Retirement

What Is A Deferred Annuity?

Updated on January 27, 2022
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5 Min Read
Deferred annuities promise tax-deferred growth and guaranteed income in retirement. Find out how this type of financial product works and who it's best for.
Read more >
Investing for the future
Retirement

Annuities Guide: What Are Annuities and How Do They Work?

Updated on January 27, 2022
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7 Min Read
Annuities let you invest your money once and receive guaranteed income for a specified timeline or your entire life. Read on to find out how annuities work, the types of annuities you can choose from, and the pitfalls to watch out for.
Read more >
10 of the Best Places to Retire in the U.S.
Retirement

10 of the Best Places to Retire in the U.S.

Updated on January 13, 2022
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7 Min Read
Find out about some of the best retirement cities in America based on factors like affordability, weather conditions and recreation.
Read more >
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