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

What Is Asset Allocation?

Learn how to choose the right asset allocation. Balance stocks, bonds, and cash based on your time horizon, risk tolerance, and investment goals.

• Andrea Coombes
• May 25, 2025

Best Way to Invest: 5 Steps to Get Started in 2026

Learn how to start investing in 5 easy steps. Set your goals, choose the right account, assess risk, pick investments, and build long-term wealth.

• Andrea Coombes
• February 05, 2025

5 Investing Concepts Everyone Should Know

Master essential investing principles like risk tolerance, diversification, and dollar-cost averaging. Start investing smarter and grow long-term wealth.

• Andrea Coombes
• December 18, 2024

Passive Investing: A How-To Guide

Discover two easy ways to invest for retirement: target-date funds and Lazy Portfolios. See pros, cons, and tips for building long-term wealth.

• Andrea Coombes
• November 26, 2024

Trading vs. Investing: What You Should Know

Learn the key differences between trading and investing, from goals and risks to timeframes. Discover which strategy best fits your financial future.

• Andrea Coombes
• November 25, 2024

How Much Does It Cost to Open an IRA?

Learn how to open an IRA with $0, compare broker fees, and understand costs for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds to maximize your retirement savings.

• Andrea Coombes
• November 25, 2024

What Is a Retirement Account?

Learn how retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs work, their tax benefits, and how they compare to savings and investment accounts.

• Andrea Coombes
• November 12, 2024

What Is the Best Investment for Retirement?

Learn retirement investing basics. See why target-date funds, index fund portfolios, and robo-advisors are smart, low-cost ways to grow long-term.

• Andrea Coombes
• November 12, 2024

What Is a Mutual Fund?

Mutual funds simplify investing by pooling money into stocks and bonds. Discover fund types, fees, and tips for choosing the right investment.

• Andrea Coombes
• November 02, 2024

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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?