Re'Dreyona Walker

Re’Dreyona Walker is a former editor for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, where she brought clarity and depth to complex credit card topics, including balance transfers, interest rates, reward programs and credit card fees. Since she joined Bankrate in 2022, she became a trusted voice in personal finance, who helped readers navigate credit decisions with transparency and confidence. Her work empowered everyday consumers to take control of their finances by making well-informed, strategic choices with their credit.

Before stepping into her role at Bankrate, Re’Dreyona began her career in the personal finance space with Three Ships, a digital marketing company, where she contributed to automotive financial content for publications such as Motor1, The Detroit Bureau and Automoblog. From car insurance and extended warranties to vehicle shipping and maintenance costs, she gained hands-on experience translating complicated financial data and information into accessible, actionable advice. That early experience sparked her interest in bridging the gap between expert financial knowledge and the real-life questions people face every day.

Outside of work, Re’Dreyona is a passionate reader and writer, traveler and frequent art museum-goer. She enjoys discovering hidden gems in bookstores, frequenting coffee shops and restaurants, collecting art and cultivating her ever-growing indoor jungle of houseplants. Whether she’s writing about credit cards or exploring a new city, her work is driven by a love of research, storytelling and a deep belief that financial literacy should be both accessible and empowering for everyone.

Re’Dreyona wants you to know

Building credit as a young Gen Zer like myself isn't as easy as it sounds. Depending on your circumstances, it could be easy to get a credit card, but it's not so easy to keep it in good standing. A few tips I’ve learned for building your credit while you're still learning the ropes are to not apply for too many cards at once. Apply for one or two — and only one major credit card at first. If you qualify for more than one, apply for them after you've had that first card for several months.

Use your credit card responsibly by paying off your balance every month, and try not to carry a balance over from month to month. It’s best to not use more than 30 percent of your available credit limit. Keep an eye on your credit score by checking it once a year at least to see where you could improve. And lastly, choose wisely, as it’s important to do your research before settling with your first credit card.

Re’Dreyona’s recommended readings

Best ways to consolidate credit card debt
5 underrated ways to earn credit card rewards
6 things you didn’t know about 0% APR cards