John Egan

Personal Finance Expert

About

John Egan is a veteran personal finance writer whose work has been published by outlets such as Bankrate, Experian, Newsweek Vault and Investopedia.

John is a freelance writer and content marketing strategist who has covered personal finance for more than a dozen years following a career in newspaper journalism. His areas of expertise in personal finance include credit cards, loans, mortgages, retirement, financial planning, investing and insurance.

He has won awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE), Texas Press Association, Missouri Press Association and Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW).

When he’s not informing consumers about personal finance matters, John enjoys travel—he has visited six continents. He is a dual citizen of the United States and Ireland, and is the author of “The Stripped-Down Guide to Content Marketing.”

Expertise

Investing
Retirement
Mortgages
Insurance

Achievements

More than a dozen years of experience as a personal finance writer
Contributor to outlets such as Investopedia, Experian, Bankrate and Newsweek Vault
Author of “The Stripped-Down Guide to Content Marketing”

Other Publications

Education

Southern New Hampshire University (M.A., Communication)

University of Kansas (B.S., Journalism)

Honors and Awards

Awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE)
Texas Press Association
Missouri Press Association and Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW)

Professional Memberships

American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)

1 week ago

How Much Does A $100,000 Annuity Pay Per Month?

An annuity—which is a contract with an insurance company that provides income—may be a good option as part of your retirement plan. It can deliver a steady source of income for years or even for the rest of your life....
3 months ago

How To Watch ‘Young Sheldon’ Season Seven

Young Sheldon isn’t so young anymore. The seventh and final season of “Young Sheldon,” the prequel to the popular long-running series “The Big Bang Theory,” kicks off February 15 on CBS and Paramount+. The one-hour season—and series—finale is set for...
3 months ago

How To Watch ‘Abbott Elementary’ Season Three

Class is almost back in session at “Abbott Elementary.” The award-winning mockumentary sitcom created by Quinta Brunson rings the bell for the start of its third season—delayed by the dual Hollywood writers and actors’ strikes—on February 7 on ABC. The...
3 months ago

‘Greedflation’ Statistics & Trends 2024

As inflation continues to rattle Americans, critics say corporations have worsened consumers’ pain by engaging in price gouging. The idea that big companies have exploited inflation pressures from the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other events to generate...
4 months ago

How To Watch ‘True Detective’ Season Four

The fourth season of “True Detective” uncloaks a new approach to the Emmy-winning crime drama. It has two women in the main roles—Jodie Foster and Kali Reis—as partners in crime-fighting. In previous seasons, the detectives were men. Set in Alaska...
4 months ago

How To Watch ‘Miss Scarlet And The Duke’ Season Four

The fourth season of “Miss Scarlet and The Duke,” the PBS Masterpiece drama spotlighting a complicated rivalry between two London detectives during the Victorian era, makes its entrance January 7. Created by British screenwriter Rachael New, the series focuses on...
5 months ago

A Brief Guide On How To Insure Jewelry

Maybe your grandma left you an heirloom ruby necklace valued at $10,000 after she passed away. Or perhaps you’ve got a $30,000 engagement ring on your finger after a proposal on Valentine’s Day. You may have even treated yourself, and...
6 months ago

Dwayne Johnson Partners With Acorns To Promote Mighty Oak Debit Card

Dwayne Johnson—the movie actor and former pro wrestler known for the catchphrase “Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?”—has whipped up a debit card partnership with saving and investing app Acorns. The new debit card, dubbed the Mighty Oak,...
6 months ago

How To Watch For All Mankind Season Four

The out-of-this-world TV drama For All Mankind is flying back for a fourth season. The series featuring a three-way space race is back with 10 new episodes. For All Mankind takes place in a universe in which the Soviet Union...
6 months ago

Financial Advisors For Physicians: Everything You Need To Know

With the average U.S. physician pulling in annual compensation of more than $350,000 in 2022, why do physicians need financial advisors? After all, their yearly income is nearly six times the average U.S. worker’s salary of $59,428. But physicians do...
6 months ago

SAT To Go Fully Digital In 2024

At last, all college-bound students taking the SAT® college entrance exam are entering the digital age. Starting in 2024, the U.S. SAT will shift from the old pencil-and-paper format to an onscreen-only format. In other countries, the switch happened in...
6 months ago

How To Watch The Gilded Age Season 2

The Gilded Age, a high-society drama set in 19th century New York City, has begun its second season. The series returned October 29 to HBO and Max with the first of eight new episodes. The Gilded Age debuted in 2022....
7 months ago

Annuities vs. Investing: Which Is Right For Your Financial Future?

Planning for retirement often boils down to a choice between annuities and other investments. But which is right for you, or should you consider both? Going over the pros and cons of annuities and investments can help you decide which...
7 months ago

Mortgage Rates Soar To Highest Level Since 2000, Survey Finds

The average interest rate for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages has soared to a level not seen since the turn of the millennium, according to the latest Freddie Mac mortgage rate survey. As of September 28, the 30-year rate averaged 7.31%, the...
8 months ago

What Is A Financial Counselor?

Handling money matters can be complicated and confusing. If this sounds like the situation you’re in, you may want to seek help from a financial counselor. A financial counselor—often someone who’s earned professional certification—can help you shape up your finances....
8 months ago

30-Year Mortgage Rates Barely Twitch, Says Freddie Mac, As Fed Stands Pat

The rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage barely budged this week, according to the latest rate survey from mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. Meanwhile, speculation is swirling about how—and when—the Federal Reserve’s decision to pause interest rate hikes will affect mortgage...
8 months ago

Mortgage Rates Tick Up Again, Staying Above 7%, Freddie Mac Says

The average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage has edged up to match its level two weeks ago as it continues to see-saw in the 7% range, the latest Freddie Mac mortgage survey shows. As of September 14, the rate...
8 months ago

How Much Renters Insurance Do I Need?

You might think you don’t own very much, but think back to the last time you moved. Remember all that stuff you schlepped from one apartment to another? You need enough renters insurance to cover all those personal belongings if...
8 months ago

Despite Dip, Mortgage Rates Stay Over 7%, Says Freddie Mac Survey

Mortgage rates continue to hover near recent highs. The average rate for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage fell slightly this week, but remained above 7% for the fourth week in a row, the latest Freddie Mac mortgage survey shows. As of September...
8 months ago

Clearcover Car Insurance Review 2024

Those who want to manage their accounts and claims entirely through an app and who want basic coverage might consider Clearcover. Car owners who want certain extra features, like vanishing deductibles or accident forgiveness, will need to look elsewhere.
8 months ago

Charles Schwab vs. Vanguard

Charles Schwab and Vanguard are multitrillion-dollar titans in the investment universe. In fact, each company boasted assets under management of or near $7.7 trillion as of the spring of 2023. Given their heavyweight status, Schwab and Vanguard are fairly evenly...
9 months ago

E*TRADE Vs. Robinhood

In the world of investing, E*TRADE and Robinhood are relative newcomers: E*TRADE was born in 1982, and Robinhood showed up more than 30 years later. But even though they’re fairly young companies, each now boasts billions of dollars in assets....
9 months ago

Safeco Car Insurance Review 2024

Safeco is suitable for safe drivers—it offers a discount for being claims-free, a diminishing deductible and a usage-based insurance option (RightTrack). However, Safeco’s complaint level is slightly higher than the industry average.
9 months ago

What Is A Non-Qualified Annuity?

Earning guaranteed income with an annuity can be a great way to bolster your retirement plan. Before you buy, you need to decide whether a qualified or non-qualified annuity is best suited to your needs. What Is an Annuity? The...
9 months ago

Guide To Annuity Taxes

Much like taxes, annuities just aren’t very popular. No one likes paying taxes to Uncle Sam, and a mere 17% of American households led by someone between 40 and 85 owns an annuity, according to industry group Limra’s 2022 Consumer...
9 months ago

VTI vs. VOO

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) are two of more than 80 ETF offerings from Vanguard, an investment giant with $8.1 trillion in assets under management as of December 2022. What Is VTI? VTI...
9 months ago

Mortgage Rates Surge Past 7% To Highest Level Since 2002, Freddie Mac Says

The average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage has hit its highest level in more than 20 years, barreling past 7%, according to the long-running survey from mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. The current average for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is...
9 months ago

Gerber Life Insurance Review 2024

Gerber Life Insurance offers policies for children, teens, young adults, adults and seniors. You can get coverage without a medical exam in some cases.
9 months ago

Mortgage Rates Climb For Third Straight Week, Reaching Brink Of 7%, Says Freddie Mac

Mortgage rates have moved up for the third week in a row, with the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage now approaching 7%, according to the latest survey from Freddie Mac. The survey shows: The average rate for a...
9 months ago

With 30-Year Rates Over 7%, Housing Market Even Slower, Weekly Survey Says

Mortgage application activity fell during the week ending August 4 as mortgage rates soared above 7% to their highest level since last year, the latest Mortgage Bankers Association survey shows. The number of mortgage applications fell 3.1% from the previous...