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Lauren Perez

Credit Card, Banking and Savings Expert

Lauren Perez writes on a variety of personal finance topics for SmartAsset, with a special expertise in savings, banking and credit cards. She is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance® (CEPF®) and a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. Lauren has a degree in English from the University of Rochester where she focused on Language, Media and Communications. She is originally from Los Angeles. While prone to the occasional shopping spree, Lauren has been aware of the importance of money management and savings since she was young. Lauren loves being able to make credit card and retirement account recommendations to friends and family based on the hours of research she completes at SmartAsset.

Posts by Lauren Perez:

by Lauren Perez Sep 08, 2022

If there’s nothing keeping you in the U.S., why not retire abroad? You have a ton of options from the standard destination of Mexico to a colder retirement in Iceland. Somewhere in between those is Spain, which offers both great mountain and beach experiences. But before you start packing your bags, check out what it takes to retire in Spain, including the costs and residency requirements. And if you need help strategizing your retirement abroad, consider enlisting the help of a financial advisor. Read more

by Lauren Perez Nov 12, 2018

If retirement in Florida seems a little too overwhelming for you, consider a retirement in Georgia instead. As Florida’s northern neighbor, Georgia offers easy access to the popular beaches and attractions that draw so many other retirees while maintaining enough distance. Plus, Georgia contains a number of its own cities that will set you up for a retirement that’s just peachy. You can find the top 10 of those cities, all within close proximity to Atlanta, below. Read more

by Lauren Perez Feb 28, 2022

Most people envision retirement as relaxing on a bright beach without a care in the world. But if retiring along sunny shores isn’t quite your thing, consider a retirement in Washington state. Many of the best cities to retire in Washington give you access to beautiful bay views with the cooler weather of the Pacific Northwest. Plus, Washington is tax-friendly toward retirees, ensuring a more affordable retirement option. A financial advisor can help you put a financial plan together for your retirement needs and goals. Read more

by Lauren Perez Apr 20, 2022

Closing your bank account may seem simple at first glance. However, there are a number of steps to follow and actions to take to close your account properly. Following the correct process will help… Read more

by Lauren Perez Mar 20, 2023

It seems we always end up with a stack of paper documents lying around. This is still true even with the major shift to mobile and online banking. But how long do we really need to keep those bank… Read more

by Lauren Perez Jan 19, 2023

Certificates of deposit, or CDs, come in various term lengths. Once you make your initial deposit, you cannot access the money in the account until the end of the account’s term, also known as its… Read more

by Lauren Perez May 20, 2022

Major banks, other banks in the Federal Reserve System, and the financial markets are all closed on federal holidays, which have been chosen by Congress. Non-bank employers also use these holidays as… Read more

by Lauren Perez Dec 21, 2018

Saving for retirement is certainly a financial priority for everyone. For Nevada state employees, it’s comforting to know that your retirement savings are automatic. Once you start working for the… Read more

by Lauren Perez Mar 13, 2023

Pennsylvania manages its state government employees’ pensions through two different systems: Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System (SERS) and Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS… Read more

by Lauren Perez Nov 11, 2022

When browsing a bank’s account options, you’ve probably come across certificates of deposit, or CDs. These are time sensitive accounts that grow your initial deposit for a given amount of time,… Read more

by Lauren Perez Aug 05, 2022

When it comes to saving your money, you have a number of account options. You might first think of a simple savings account that allows your money to grow according to a set interest rate. You also… Read more

by Lauren Perez Apr 07, 2022

Having a savings account is incredibly important to your financial health. It keeps your money safe and grows your savings according to set interest rates. Typically, you can have a savings account… Read more

by Lauren Perez Aug 12, 2022

When choosing whether to open a bank account with Ally Bank or Capital One, it really comes down to whether you want access to physical branches when you bank. Ally Bank is an entirely online… Read more

by Lauren Perez Mar 07, 2023

There are special banking opportunities for those who have served our country in the military, are currently serving or for the families of these individuals. Two such options are Navy Federal Credit… Read more

by Lauren Perez Jan 27, 2023

The main plus of having a bank account with a big bank is the widespread access you have to your money. Both Wells Fargo and Bank of America provide their customers with thousands of ATMs and… Read more

by Lauren Perez Mar 24, 2022

No matter your age, you’ve probably dreamed of retiring on a sandy beach somewhere at some point. Perhaps you’ve started planning your retirement in Florida or San Diego. An even more attractive move… Read more

by Lauren Perez Mar 17, 2023

Many people dream of spending their retirement in a sunny and warm locale, often heading to Arizona or Florida. But perhaps you’re interested in retiring abroad instead of stateside. In fact, heading… Read more

by Lauren Perez Jan 24, 2023

Whether you’re new to investing or have been doing it for years, mutual funds offer a great way to invest your money. It allows you to invest in multiple stocks and bonds without the hassle of… Read more

by Lauren Perez Nov 17, 2022

When you place your investments in the care of an investment manager or advisor, you’ll often run into various fees. The advisor can charge you a percentage of your assets, a transaction fee per… Read more

by Lauren Perez Aug 20, 2018

It can be hard to start a search for a new bank. Nowadays, there are so many banks to choose from, with online banks adding their names to the ranks of big banks. But if online banking isn’t for you,… Read more

by Lauren Perez Feb 17, 2023

Money market accounts offer a unique way to save and spend your money. They act as a mix of a savings account and a checking account. This means you can earn interest on your money market account… Read more

by Lauren Perez Feb 17, 2023

Whether you’re new to banking or looking to switch banks, you’re probably familiar with Chase and Bank of America. These are two of the biggest names in the banking industry. Each has similar product… Read more

by Lauren Perez Jul 15, 2022

Simple has announced that it will be closing in 2021. Once the bank is officially closed, customers’ accounts will be transferred to Simple’s parent company, PNC Bank. For other account… Read more

by Lauren Perez Mar 14, 2023

A SEP-IRA is a tax-deferred retirement plan for self-employed people and small business owners. Like all retirement savings programs, there are limits, rules and regulations you need to know about to… Read more

by Lauren Perez Dec 06, 2022

While most estate plans focus on leaving wealth to your heirs, some people also wish to provide for a charitable cause with their estate. A charitable remainder trust allows you to do both by setting… Read more