Jenny Kerr Personal Finance Contributor FinancialSumo

Jenny Kerr

Jenny Kerr

30 articles

Editor

Personal Finance Contributor

Jenny.Kerr@financialsumo.com

Jenny Kerr writes about budgeting, debt, savings and everyday money decisions with a practical, reader-first approach. Her work helps households understand costs, tradeoffs and financial promises before small choices become expensive problems.

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Jenny Kerr is a personal finance contributor who graduated from the University of Missouri, where she studied journalism with a focus on business and consumer reporting. She built her early experience across a regional newsroom, a consumer finance education project and a nonprofit financial-literacy program, working close to the questions ordinary readers ask when debt, bills and savings collide. Her writing focuses on budgeting, debt reduction, emergency savings, credit habits and the everyday financial decisions that shape household security. She writes in a practical, skeptical voice: plain enough to use, careful about risks and not easily impressed by polished money advice that hides fees, pressure or unrealistic promises. 

Topics

  • Personal finance The management of individual and household money, including budgeting, saving, borrowing, insurance, taxes and retirement planning.
  • Debt Money owed by one party to another, including consumer borrowing, repayment obligations, interest costs and credit risk.
  • Budget A plan for income and expenses used to manage spending, savings goals, repayment priorities and household financial stability.

30 latest articles by Jenny Kerr

Nine U.S. Retirement Cities Put Wine Country Within Reach

These nine cities pair access to wineries and wine trails with outdoor recreation and local amenities. Housing costs and state tax rules vary widely.

Eight U.S. Cities Where Retirees Find Top Live Music and Lower Costs

Retirees seeking vibrant music scenes and manageable living costs have more options than just big cities. From Nashville to Sarasota, these eight U.S. destinations offer diverse venues, festivals, and retiree-friendly amenities that can shape your retirement budget.

Retirees Weigh Knoxville Iowa for Low Housing Costs and Tax Relief

With home values far below the national average and state tax breaks on retirement income, Knoxville Iowa is drawing attention from retirees seeking to stretch their savings without sacrificing access to healthcare or community life

Divorce Can Leave Your Ex as Beneficiary Unless You Act Fast

Many Americans overlook a critical step after divorce that can let an ex-spouse inherit retirement accounts, life insurance, or other assets despite a new will. Here's what actually overrides your intentions and how to fix it before it's too late

Net Worth for Americans in Their 30s Tripled After Historic Crash

Americans in their 30s saw their net worth more than triple from 2010 to 2022, but higher balances have not translated into easier day-to-day finances as housing and living costs continue to climb

Social Security Gaps Leave Women Facing Lower Retirement Income

Women in the U.S. routinely receive smaller Social Security checks than men due to lower lifetime earnings and interrupted careers. The difference can reach thousands of dollars per year and compound over decades of retirement.

Adobe CEO Shakeup: Anil Chakravarthy to Succeed Shantanu Narayen

Adobe is set for a major leadership transition as Anil Chakravarthy prepares to take over as CEO in December 2026, while the company faces mounting investor pressure and a sharp decline in its stock price

Rising Bond Yields Hit Governments, Companies, and U.S. Borrowers

A global surge in bond yields is driving up borrowing costs for governments, businesses, and households, with ripple effects on public budgets, corporate growth, and consumer debt across the U.S. and beyond

Nvidia's $12.9 Billion Hugging Face Deal Signals AI Power Shift

Nvidia is set to acquire Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, moving deeper into AI software and raising the stakes for developers, investors, and institutions relying on open-source tools

Rising Bond Yields Threaten Borrowers as War Drives Up Costs

U.S. Treasury yields have surged to multi-year highs as war spending and energy shocks push up inflation, raising borrowing costs for households, businesses, and the government.

Stephen Curry's $136.7M Extension Decision Raises Warriors' Stakes

Stephen Curry can now sign a two-year, $136.7 million extension with the Golden State Warriors, a move that could lock in his future but limit the team's financial flexibility as it looks to rebuild its roster

Sudden Loss of Actor Lee Yongju Raises Financial Planning Questions

The unexpected passing of actor Lee Yongju highlights the financial and emotional challenges families and colleagues face after a sudden loss, underscoring the importance of emergency planning and support systems

Tesla Data Reveals Autopilot Was Active in Texas Fatal Crash

Tesla confirmed to federal regulators that its driver-assist system was engaged during a deadly Model 3 crash in Texas, raising new questions about transparency and the public's access to critical safety data

Charity Music Festival Raises $10 Million for Women's Nonprofits

A sold-out festival headlined by Olivia Rodrigo pledged $10 million to support organizations focused on women's and girls' rights, with additional matching funds announced during the event

September Social Security Payment Dates and What to Expect

Social Security beneficiaries will see payments arrive on four different dates in September, depending on when they started benefits and their birth date, while SSI recipients have a separate schedule to track

Trump Threatens FCC Complaint Over 'Meet the Press' Election Coverage

Donald Trump says he will report 'Meet the Press' host Kristen Welker to the FCC, raising questions about regulatory pressure on media coverage of political endorsements and the independence of federal oversight

United Airlines Emergency Landing Raises Questions on Flight Safety Costs

A United Airlines flight from Venice to Newark diverted to London after a mechanical issue, highlighting the operational and financial risks airlines face when handling in-flight emergencies and passenger disruptions

Ross Fire Threatens Homes and Infrastructure in North Texas

The Ross Fire has scorched 80,000 acres in Palo Pinto and Jack counties, forcing evacuations and straining local resources as shifting winds complicate containment and threaten critical infrastructure

Core Inflation Rises 3.3% as Fed Faces Persistent Price Pressures

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge showed core prices up 3.3% year-over-year in July, matching forecasts but keeping inflation well above the central bank's 2% target as policymakers weigh their next move

ARM Mortgage Rates Edge Higher as Fixed Loans Dominate Market

Adjustable-rate mortgages offer lower initial rates but come with payment uncertainty after the fixed period ends. See how current ARM rates compare and which borrowers might benefit-or face risk-from these loans in today's market

Trump's Beef Tariff Waiver Sparks Clash Over Food Prices and Ranchers

A new White House plan to allow 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free ground beef imports aims to cut grocery costs but faces backlash from U.S. ranchers and lawmakers worried about long-term industry harm

Starbucks Bets on Pumpkin Spice Latte Merch to Drive Fall Sales

Starbucks is rolling out a new Pumpkin Spice Latte-themed merchandise line, aiming to capture seasonal demand and boost in-store spending as consumer budgets tighten ahead of fall

Trump's SpaceX Investment Raises Questions About Government Ties

President Donald Trump's June investment in SpaceX links his finances to a major federal contractor as his administration shapes commercial space policy, highlighting potential conflicts and oversight challenges for investors and taxpayers alike

Wells Fargo and Citigroup Eye Big Bank Deals as M&A Window Opens

Wells Fargo and Citigroup are among the few U.S. megabanks able to acquire a large regional bank under current deposit caps, but rising profits and stock prices mean few sellers are eager to make a deal

iPhone 18 Pro Upgrades May Raise Stakes for Apple and Consumers

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature a larger main camera, a new in-house C2 modem, improved battery life, and a redesigned Dynamic Island, signaling a shift in both hardware and user experience for premium smartphone buyers

Royal Caribbean Drops U.S. Cruises for Asia-Pacific Expansion

Royal Caribbean is canceling several 2027 U.S. sailings as it shifts major ships to Asia-Pacific and Australia, forcing travelers to reconsider plans and raising questions about cruise industry strategy

How Silo's Past Decisions Shape Its Future Survival Risks

Silo's latest episode explores how past technological fears and leadership choices continue to impact the survival and governance of its underground society, raising questions about risk, control, and unintended consequences

Gold Retreats After Two-Month High as Fed and Oil Pressure Mount

Gold prices slipped after a sharp rally, as investors reacted to a U.S. Treasury liquidity move, rising oil prices, and renewed signals that the Federal Reserve may keep rates higher for longer

US Sanctions ICC Officials, Raising Global Legal and Financial Tensions

The US has imposed sanctions on top International Criminal Court officials, intensifying a campaign to undermine the court's authority and pressuring allies to withdraw support, with potential consequences for global legal cooperation and financial flows

Severe Storms Knock Out Power for Thousands in Wisconsin

Fast-moving storms triggered tornado warnings and left over 30,000 Wisconsin customers without electricity, raising concerns about infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness across the region