About Ben Luthi
Current Role
Personal finance writer
Expertise
- Credit Cards
- Consumer Credit
- Student Loans
- Personal Loans
- Mortgage Loans
- Investing
- Banking
- Budgeting
- Debt
Degrees
- Bachelor's degree in business management from Brigham Young University
Personal Finance Experience
Ben became passionate about personal finance in college when he worked a full-time job and learned how to budget to avoid taking on student loans. He ended up with a little college debt but paid it off quickly.
While in school, he interned with Northwestern Mutual, selling life insurance and creating comprehensive financial plans for his clients. After graduation, he spent time working for a regional bank and a major auto lender.
When Ben became a full-time writer, he primarily covered credit cards, particularly points and miles. He's had nearly 100 credit cards over the years and earned tens of thousands of dollars in rewards. He also wrote extensively about student loans before becoming a full-time freelancer, at which point he expanded his expertise to all things personal finance.
Latest from Ben Luthi
Parent PLUS Loan vs. HELOC: Which Is Better?
Federal student loans can be an affordable way for your child to pay for the cost of attending college, especially during their undergraduate...
HEI vs. HELOC: Which Is Better?
If you have a significant amount of equity in your home, it’s possible to leverage that money to improve your financial situation or...
What Is the IRS Failure to File Penalty?
If you owe money and don’t file your tax return by the April deadline, the IRS may charge what’s called a failure to...
Point-of-Sale (or Buy Now, Pay Later) Loans
In some cases, point-of-sale loans can offer convenient and inexpensive financing, but they can result in overspending and extra charges if you're not...
How to Refinance an Auto Loan
Refinancing an auto loan can have many benefits, but better terms aren't guaranteed. Here's what to consider and the steps you can take.
Best Lenders to Prequalify for a Home Equity Loan or HELOC
Not all home equity lenders offer prequalification, but those that do make it easier to...
Do You Have to Pay Off a HELOC When Refinancing?
You may not need to pay off a HELOC when you refinance, but the subordination...
Who Owns My Student Loans?
The company that owns your student loans may not be the company you applied with or even the company that services your debt....
What Can I Use a HELOC For? Best and Worst HELOC Strategies
A home equity line of credit can be a flexible way to borrow. Some of...
How Much Can I Borrow in Student Loans?
Before taking out student loans, understand both the annual and total limits of both federal and private student loans.