Jon McDonald

Managing Editor
Jon McDonald

About the Author

With more than 15 years of journalism expertise, Jon McDonald stays up to date on emerging finance trends and news about the companies impacting the industry. He is most knowledgeable in the areas of budgeting, loans, and responsible credit use and is committed to bringing that experience to readers around the world. He has a passion for both writing and editing, and his articles have appeared in publications produced by The New York Times.

Latest Posts

146 posts written/edited to date

Study

2,788 views

7 min read

Study Reveals Shifting Patterns in Single-Parent Households, with Notable County-Level Changes

Study Reveals Shifting Patterns in Single-Parent Households

Single parenting is tough. Dealing with busy schedules, big emotions, and daily routines on your own, along with no one to assist with making... read more »

By: Jon McDonald • 2/5/25

Study

2,035 views

7 min read

Study Shows Many Americans Need to Work More than 20 Hours a Week Just to Afford Groceries

Study: Many Americans Work 20+ Hours a Week to Afford Groceries

What does it take to put food on the table each week? If you’re fortunate enough to be middle class, this probably isn’t something you think... read more »

By: Jon McDonald • 2/3/25

Study

11,022 views

5 min read

Over 110 Million Americans Admit to Reselling or Regifting Christmas Presents, Survey Reveals

Over 110 Million Americans Sell or Regift Unwanted Christmas Presents

Christmas is a magical time of year for both giving and receiving, and while it’s nice to give, most of us would probably admit it’s better to... read more »

By: Jon McDonald • 12/16/24

Study

15,536 views

3 min read

72% of US Consumers Aspire to Pay off Debt to Improve Their Finances in 2025

Survey: 72% of US Consumers Aspire to Pay off Debt in 2025

As a new year approaches, so do new goals. Some of the most common resolutions revolve around fitness and making healthier choices for your body.... read more »

By: Jon McDonald • 12/16/24

Guide

28,152 views

7 min read

What is a Soft Pull? A Guide to Soft Credit Inquiries and How to Use Them to Your Advantage

The Basics of Soft Credit Pulls and How to Use Them to Your Advantage

Improving your credit score is a delicate dance. On one hand, you need to work down your debt. On the other, you need a robust credit history. To... read more »

By: Jon McDonald • 12/4/24

Guide

27,270 views

11 min read

What is Credit Utilization? A Look at One of the Key Components of Your Credit Score

What is Credit Utilization? How to Manage Your Balances

If you’ve ever gone on a shopping spree, you know how easy it can be to spend more than you planned. Sometimes, I can’t resist going over my... read more »

By: Jon McDonald • 11/27/24

Guide

33,422 views

11 min read

What Does No Credit Check Mean? How Lenders Determine Risk Without Viewing Your Credit History

What Does "No Credit Check" Really Mean?

When you have poor credit, some financial necessities may seem tricky to qualify for. From renting an apartment to picking a phone plan, you have... read more »

By: Jon McDonald • 11/26/24

Guide

24,850 views

9 min read

What is a Debit Card? Understanding the Basics, Benefits, and How it Differs from a Credit Card

How Debit Cards Differ From Credit Cards

When I was a kid, I once heard a friend’s dad tell a joke that was so bad it stuck with me for years. It went something like this: Q: What does a... read more »

By: Jon McDonald • 11/25/24

spinner