Credit management
How to create a budget, stick to it and save using apps and card rewards
If you want to create a budget, start by breaking down your expenses into four…
Personal finance, Taxes, Credit and Debt
Sally Herigstad is a personal finance writer, columnist, author and retired CPA. She wrote a CreditCards.com column called “To Her Credit” for 10 years, answering readers’ questions about credit, debt, finances and family relationships, and more. With a background in public accounting, she joined the personal finance team at Microsoft in 1998. She has been working to help people take control of their finances ever since. Sally writes for popular online sites, and speaks to groups about personal finance and life goals.
Sally took most of her undergraduate courses at Portland State University, and graduated from Southwestern Adventist University in 1987. She worked in public accounting before taking a job at SCS Compute as a tax software developer. She worked on the Microsoft TaxSaver and Microsoft Money teams before writing “Help! I Can’t Pay My Bills” for St. Martin’s Press. She has been a freelance writer since 2003.
Personal Quote
“No matter what your financial situation looks like – or how it got that way – it’s never too late to turn things around. I teach people how to find out where they stand financially right now, make the most of what they have, set financial goals and take steps toward reaching those goals. You have far more options in life when you have control of your finances. You can take charge of your money – and your life.”
Education & Honors
Professional Groups
Credit management
How to create a budget, stick to it and save using apps and card rewards
If you want to create a budget, start by breaking down your expenses into four…
Education
What is a Schumer Box?
Be sure you understand the rates and fees on a credit card before you apply.…
Education
Pros, cons of using credit cards for everyday purchases
Using a credit card for all your purchases has its upsides, as long as you…
Education
What do the numbers on your credit card mean?
Credit card numbers mean different things, depending on where they fit the pattern on your…
Credit management
How to cancel credit cards after a death
When a cardholder dies, credit cards aren’t automatically canceled. This can cause some problems if…
Card advice
Visa vs. Mastercard: What’s the difference?
Visa and Mastercard are the world’s two largest payment card network processors. Before you decide…
Credit management
What is a FICO score? How to improve it?
Created by the Fair Isaac Corporation, a FICO score is a way for lenders and…
Credit management
Consequences of stopping payments on a credit card
If you’ve ever had a credit card balance get away from you, the idea of…
Credit management
Collectors still calling after a 1099-C ‘Cancellation of Debt’ tax form
The 1099-C form is called a ‘Cancellation of Debt’ form, but it’s not always true…
Education
How to check your credit card balance
The only way to stay in complete control of your credit card accounts is to…
Education
What to do if you lose your credit card
If your credit card is lost or stolen, you could become the victim of identity…
Card advice
When should you use medical credit cards?
Medical credit cards can provide you a window of time to pay off medical bills…
Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of October 2026
If you are managing debt, a balance transfer credit card could help you pay down…
Best Capital One® Credit Cards of 2025: Apply Online
CreditCards.com has the best Capital One credit card offers all in one place. You can…
Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards of April 2026
Don't let fees ruin your trip abroad. Credit cards with 0% foreign transaction fees can…
Best 0% APR Credit Cards of October 2026
These cards offer an outstanding 0% intro APR on purchases, balance transfers, or both. This…
Best Visa® Credit Cards of 2026
Check out the best Visa® credit cards of 2024. Compare top cards and apply online…
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