Mariah Ackary

EDITOR

EDUCATION

University of South Carolina

About the author

Mariah Ackary is a personal finance writer specializing in small businesses and credit. Her work has been cited by media including Fortune, The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and CNBC. Mariah is a lifelong writer, but she joined the Bankrate team in 2019, excited by the opportunity to help people make good financial decisions. She hopes to make personal finance education easier and more approachable through her research and advice. Send your questions to mackary@bankrate.com

Education

Mariah earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations with a minor in business administration from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina in 2019.

Media mentions

Retailers Push Sales, and Normalcy, but Economic Uncertainty Looms — The New York Times
Stressed-Out Americans Plan to Buy Fewer Christmas Gifts, Donate Less to Charity — The Wall Street Journal
How marketers can win this holiday season — Forbes
Should you wait until closer to Christmas to get shopping done? — TODAY Show
Consumer Confidential: How to buy gifts while on a tight budget — TODAY Show
Almost 79% of 2022 travelers experienced problems during a trip, survey finds — CBS News
4 out of 5 travelers say they've hit snags like soaring prices, long waits, and cancellations in 2022 — Business Insider
Almost everything is getting more expensive, but these 3 things are getting cheaper — Fortune
More Americans are relying on side-hustle money to make ends meet — Fortune
Staycation, Again? — The New York Times
How to Make Your Staycation Feel Like a Getaway — WebMD
The pandemic ‘quickly eroded savings’ for Gen Z, millennials — CNBC
As Americans spend, credit card debt is ticking back up — Reuters
Small businesses using personal funds to stay afloat during coronavirus crisis, study finds — Fox Business
It’s Now Easier To Get A Credit Card; Consumer Borrowing Is Soaring — Forbes
40% of Americans with credit card debt don’t know their interest rate, survey shows — CNBC
This Week In Credit Card News: How Much Stimulus Money Will You Get? How To Earn 5% Cash Back On Groceries — Forbes
Small businesses relying more on credit cards to survive — Bloomberg
Consumers’ Debt Appears to Increase as Credit Purchases Grow — American Consumer Credit Counseling
Your Money Briefing podcast — The Wall Street Journal

Mariah's latest articles

Why I’m skipping Black Friday for Small Business Saturday

This year, I want to be intentional about shopping small.

4 min read Nov 21, 2022
Are cryptocurrency rewards credit cards a good idea?

Crypto rewards credit cards are gaining popularity—but are they worth the hype?

6 min read Jul 18, 2022
How to find a business merchant category code

Learn what merchant codes are and how an MCC affects businesses and credit card users.

4 min read Sep 30, 2021

How credit cards can help you achieve your 2023 goals

Whatever your 2023 goals, your credit cards can provide valuable data.

5 min read Feb 09, 2023
So you haven’t been sticking to your resolutions. Here’s how to reset and crush the next 11 months.

Don’t let imperfection impede your progress toward your 2023 goals.

5 min read Jan 26, 2023
Should you carry a balance on a 0% APR credit card?

There are some clear pros to carrying a balance without paying interest, but there are some potential downsides.

7 min read Jan 24, 2023
Can you buy stocks with a credit card — and should you?

The risk of buying stocks with a credit card often outweighs the reward, but there are other ways to invest using your card.

3 min read Jan 24, 2023
A guide to credit card return protection

Return protection can be beneficial for consumers who are having second thoughts about a purchase.

2 min read Jan 24, 2023
Should you get cash back or travel credit card for your business?

Start by asking yourself how much business travel you plan to do in the next year.

5 min read Jan 24, 2023
What happens to your retail credit card when a store closes?

When a retailer vanishes, your card debt doesn’t. Here’s how your retail credit card may be impacted by store closures.

4 min read Jan 23, 2023
More people are carrying credit card debt, and it costs more than ever

A trio of concerns are affecting credit card borrowers: More people are carrying debt, rates are at record highs and balances are way up, too.

3 min read Jan 20, 2023
Only travel occasionally? A cash back card might be just what you need

If you don’t travel enough to warrant a travel card, a cash back card could be the perfect choice.

4 min read Jan 17, 2023
How credit cards can help you beat inflation

With inflation running hot, everyone is looking for ways to save, and credit cards can help.

4 min read Jan 13, 2023
5 realistic New Year’s goals for people with credit card debt

Here’s how to come up with an achievable credit card payoff plan.

4 min read Jan 12, 2023
What credit score is needed for Chase credit cards?

In most cases, your credit needs to fall in the “good” to “excellent” range.

2 min read Jan 12, 2023
How your credit limit is determined

Here’s how credit limits work, how issuers calculate credit limits and what you can do to increase yours.

5 min read Jan 12, 2023
Is it better to pay off your credit card or keep a balance?

Many credit card holders choose to carry a balance on their card, but this strategy costs more in the long run and your credit score is better served by paying your balance in full.

3 min read Jan 11, 2023
What credit score do you need for a credit card?

A look into what impacts your credit score, plus what credit score you need to qualify for different types of credit cards.

7 min read Jan 11, 2023

How to get cash from a credit card at the ATM

Taking money out of a credit card at the ATM is one way to get cash quickly — but it’s costly.

4 min read Mar 22, 2023
How to choose a balance transfer credit card

The right balance transfer credit card for you depends on the length of the 0 percent APR period.

4 min read Jan 16, 2023
Is the Citi Rewards+ Card worth it?

Find out if the Citi Rewards+ Card is the right fit for you.

4 min read Jan 13, 2023
How I’m using my Discover it Cash Back this holiday season

All it takes to get the most out of this holiday season and maximize your savings is the right credit card.

3 min read Jan 10, 2023
What debts can you transfer to a credit card?

Should you transfer auto, personal, student and home equity loan debt to a 0 percent interest balance transfer credit card?

4 min read Jan 06, 2023
Citi Premier Card benefits guide

The Citi Premier has many benefits, including it’s flexible rewards program, sign-up bonus and annual hotel savings perk.

3 min read Jan 06, 2023
How to use a sign-up bonus to pay for your summer vacation

Earning a sign-up bonus to help pay for your summer vacation is a great way to make your money go further. Just make sure you aren’t overspending to get those points and miles.

7 min read Jan 05, 2023
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Capital One Quicksilver

Find out about the main perks each card offers and how they stack up.

6 min read Dec 16, 2022
How I plan to use the Chase Freedom Flex in Q1 2023 and beyond

The Chase Freedom Flex has announced its cash back bonus categories for Q1 2023.

5 min read Dec 16, 2022
Blue Cash Everyday updates: My family might have a new favorite credit card

Recent changes to the Blue Cash Everyday might encourage my family to make this our new go-to credit card

4 min read Dec 12, 2022
Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday

Whether or not you’re willing to pay an annual fee will be a big factor.

7 min read Dec 05, 2022
Amazon store cards vs. Amazon Visa credit cards

Here’s a breakdown of store Amazon cards versus Chase Amazon credit cards.

4 min read Nov 21, 2022
6 ways to maximize value with your Citi Rewards+ Card

Get more value from your Citi Rewards+ Card with these tips on earning and redeeming rewards.

3 min read Nov 21, 2022
Wells Fargo Rewards program guide

Wells Fargo cardholders can earn cash back and more with everyday purchases that accrue Wells Fargo Rewards.

5 min read Nov 18, 2022
How to see if you’re prequalified for a credit card

Prequalified credit card offers help you get a sense of where you stand before you apply for a card.

12 min read Nov 14, 2022