Andrea Coombes is a former Senior Writer at Reink Media Group. Andrea has 20+ years of experience translating complex personal finance topics into articles that help people reach their financial goals. Her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, MarketWatch, Forbes, NerdWallet, and many other financial publications. Andrea is a sought-after source in her own right, having been interviewed by many top-tier U.S. publications on matters of personal finance including NPR’s All Things Considered, the WSJ Money Matters Podcast, NASDAQ, and Marketplace.

Andrea covers topics ranging from retirement planning to taxes, investing strategies to how to stop fighting with your spouse about money. In the Roth vs. Traditional IRA debate, she's firmly on the side of: It depends.

Andrea is an experienced personal-finance speaker who has presented to groups on a variety of topics such as how to budget, improve credit, manage debt, and build savings. She's participated on and moderated panels discussing 529 college savings plans, how to invest for retirement, and more.

Andrea also has worked as a personal financial coach and certified consumer credit counselor, helping people navigate their money challenges, and for a time she was a volunteer tax preparer. (She's not a masochist -- she actually likes doing taxes.)

She's currently working on becoming a Certified Financial Planner, through the University of California - Berkeley Extension's Certificate Program in Personal Financial Planning.

Awards Andrea has won include the Excellence in Personal Finance Reporting Award from the National Endowment for Financial Education (2012) and The National Award for Outstanding Reporting on Consumer Issues from the National Association of Consumer Advocates.

Andrea has a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's degree in journalism, both from the University of California - Berkeley.

Latest Articles

Where to Invest $100, $1,000, $10,000 or More

Turn your lump sum into long-term growth. Explore strategies like IRAs, broker accounts, and robo-advisors to invest $100 or more wisely.

• Andrea Coombes
• May 26, 2026

Best Rollover IRAs for 2026

Find the best rollover IRA accounts. Compare Fidelity, Schwab, and E*TRADE for easy transfers, low fees, and smart retirement investing tools.

• Andrea Coombes
• May 15, 2026

Merrill Edge IRA Review

Open a Merrill Edge IRA with $0 minimum and enjoy top-tier tools, low fees, and exclusive Bank of America Preferred Rewards benefits.

• Andrea Coombes
• May 04, 2026

J.P. Morgan IRA Review

Start a J.P. Morgan IRA with no minimum and $0 trading fees, plus use the Wealth Plan tool to plan, track, and achieve your retirement goals.

• Andrea Coombes
• May 04, 2026

Interactive Brokers IRA Review

Open an Interactive Brokers IRA with $0 fees, fractional shares on all U.S. stocks and ETFs, and low-cost robo advisor options.

• Andrea Coombes
• May 04, 2026

Charles Schwab IRA Review

Open a Charles Schwab IRA with $0 minimum. Enjoy 24/7 support, low fees, and a wide range of investment options to grow your retirement savings.

• Andrea Coombes
• May 04, 2026

How Do I Open a Roth IRA?

Learn how to open a Roth IRA, meet eligibility rules, choose investments, and roll over a 401(k) to build tax-free retirement income for life.

• Andrea Coombes
• April 27, 2026

IRA vs. 401(k): The Best Way to Use Each Account

Wondering whether to save in an IRA or 401(k)? Compare contribution limits, tax breaks, fees, and investment options to choose the best retirement account.

• Andrea Coombes
• April 27, 2026

Best Roth IRA Accounts for 2026

Find the best Roth IRA accounts. Fidelity, Schwab, and E*TRADE lead with low fees, smart investing tools, and retirement planning support.

• Andrea Coombes
• April 27, 2026

What Is an ETF?

Learn how ETFs work, their benefits vs. mutual funds, and how to use them to build a diversified, low-cost portfolio.

• Andrea Coombes
• February 09, 2026

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Where to Invest $100, $1,000, $10,000 or MoreBest Rollover IRAs for 2026Merrill Edge IRA ReviewJ.P. Morgan IRA ReviewInteractive Brokers IRA ReviewCharles Schwab IRA ReviewHow Do I Open a Roth IRA?IRA vs. 401(k): The Best Way to Use Each AccountBest Roth IRA Accounts for 2026What Is an ETF?What Is Asset Allocation?Best Way to Invest: 5 Steps to Get Started in 20265 Investing Concepts Everyone Should KnowPassive Investing: A How-To GuideTrading vs. Investing: What You Should KnowHow Much Does It Cost to Open an IRA?What Is a Retirement Account?What Is the Best Investment for Retirement?What Is a Mutual Fund?