Becca Stanek, The Week US
Becca Stanek has worked as an editor and writer in the personal finance space since 2017. She previously served as a deputy editor and later a managing editor overseeing investing and savings content at LendingTree and as an editor at the financial startup SmartAsset, where she focused on retirement- and financial-adviser-related content. Before that, she was a staff writer at The Week, primarily contributing to Speed Reads.
She currently works as a freelance writer and editor while she earns her MFA in creative writing from Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Becca earned her bachelor's degree in English Writing at DePauw University. During her freelance tenure, her work has appeared in publications including Forbes, SoFi, Credible, Atticus, Policygenius, MoneyMade, and Finance of America Mortgage, among others. She has covered a wide range of financial topics, including investing, saving and budgeting, banking, retirement, mortgages, student loans, personal loans, insurance, financial advisers, the Federal Reserve, and credit cards.
Becca lives in Valatie, New York, with her husband and their dog, Matilda, where you can most often find her at the yoga studio, the library or outdoors.
Latest articles by Becca Stanek, The Week US
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How to get lower interest rates on student loans
The Explainer Federal student loan interest rates are set to reach record heights for the 2024-25 school year
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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How to make that vacation a financial reality
The Explainer The cost of flights, lodging, meals and activities can really add up
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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What is spaving and how can it lead to overspending?
The Explainer When you spave, you spend more money under the auspices of saving
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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More home sales trigger capital gains tax. Here's how it works and how to avoid it.
The Explainer As a result of rising home values, Americans are increasingly facing this tax when they sell their homes
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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Should you ever take financial advice from social media?
The Explainer Not everything you see online is right, or right for you
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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How to find someone you trust to help with retirement planning
Speed Read Prepare for your golden years
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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How is your mortgage rate determined?
The Explainer The Federal Reserve is partly to blame, but so are various personal financial factors
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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How much can you save shopping secondhand?
The Explainer Many Americans are buying pre-owned items to counteract the effects of inflation
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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What is a home energy audit and when is it worth getting one?
The Explainer This evaluation of your home's efficiency can pinpoint where exactly it's wasting energy
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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Should you wait to claim Social Security benefits?
The Explainer The longer you wait to collect, the larger your monthly checks may be
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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Is it actually economical to fly basic economy?
The Explainer Airlines have placed so many restrictions on basic economy, you may wonder if it's even worth the savings anymore
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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Who actually needs life insurance?
The Explainer If you have kids or are worried about passing on debt, the added security may be worth it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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Job scams are increasingly common. Here's what to look out for.
The Explainer You should never pay for an application or give out your personal info before being hired
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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How (and why) to have the inheritance talk with family sooner than later
The Explainer The hard conversations aren't going to get any easier if you wait
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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Should you use a 529 plan? What to know about this college savings option.
The Explainer This tax-advantaged savings account can be used to pay tuition or buy textbooks
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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The pros and cons of a high-yield savings account
The Explainer They can pay up to 10 times more than a standard savings account
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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Gray divorce is on the rise and it can have major financial implications
The Explainer Divorce that occurs later in life between older adults presents particular challenges
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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When do solar panels make sense? What to consider before going solar.
The Explainer It's a big and costly project, but benefits include long-term savings and property value increase
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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What is the best way to use your tax refund?
The Explainer It may be tempting to splurge — but there are smarter places to put that money
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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Why 401(k) early withdrawals are on the rise — and what to consider before you do it
The Explainer It actually has some notable financial consequences
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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What is shrinkflation and why is it happening?
The Explainer The practice reduces the size of a product without lowering the price — and it's perfectly legal
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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Is it ever worth taking a pay cut?
The Explainer Though a lower income will mean reworking your budget, it can also mean more free time and a better work-life balance
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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What is dynamic pricing, and how will its increasing adoption affect your wallet?
Speed Read The practice of adjusting prices based on demand is becoming more common
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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How does the realtor settlement affect buyers and sellers?
The Explainer The shift is expected to reduce the cost of buying and selling a home
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
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