- Ascent Authors
- Kristi Waterworth
Kristi Waterworth
Expert Contribution: Author
FINANCIAL INDUSTRY WRITER SINCE 2011
NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 46 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 04-03-2024
Kristi Waterworth is a real estate and personal finance journalist with a long publication history who got her start in local news. Located in the Missouri Ozarks, she's introduced hundreds of thousands of people to new financial concepts, helped them buy their first home, and even given them great advice when it came to caring for their home and landscaping. For almost 30 years, she has guest-written hundreds of articles and been published in dozens of publications as a regular writer, including about a half dozen newspapers. When she's not writing, Waterworth is committing shenanigans with her four dogs and piddling in her pollinator garden.
Financial Areas of Expertise
Crypto, Mortgages, Insurances, Small Business, Investing, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Featured in Renowned Media Publications
Education
- B.A. American History, Columbia College, Missouri.
Kristi's Recent Articles
-
![]()
How to Avoid 5 Super Expensive Vet Bills
Apr 3, 2024
Pets can be so expensive, but not every vet bill is inevitable. Here are ways to avoid five particularly expensive vet bills.
Read More
-
![]()
The Unexpected Benefits of Expensive Pet Food
Mar 23, 2024
There are unexpected perks that come with expensive pet food, so long as you read the labels carefully and choose the best values. Keep reading …
Read More
-
![]()
Moving In With Someone Can Save You $900 to $1,600 a Month in These 10 Metro Areas
Mar 20, 2024
It's hard to save money if you're spending every nickel on rent -- but in these 10 metro areas, moving in with someone can be …
Read More
-
![]()
Why Are Home Prices So High?
Mar 19, 2024
It costs more to buy a house today, we all know that. But why? Keep reading for a discussion of the factors at play.
Read More
-
![]()
3 Lies You've Been Told About Mortgage Interest Rates
Mar 17, 2024
Mortgage interest rates aren't as straightforward as they seem. Keep reading for the partial truths within this particular real estate lore.
Read More
-
![]()
Why Every Investor Should Consider CDs in Their Portfolio
Mar 17, 2024
CDs are stable assets that appreciate without input, making them worth a second look. Read on to learn more.
Read More
-
![]()
If You're Considering CDs, Here's Why Money Market Accounts Might Be Better
Mar 6, 2024
CDs aren't the only savings vehicles in town -- there are also money market accounts. Keep reading to learn why they're better for some savers.
Read More
-
![]()
4 Key Differences Between CDs and Money Market Accounts
Mar 5, 2024
Both CDs and money market accounts can help you earn more interest on your savings, but they're not the same. Read on to learn more.
Read More
-
![]()
CDs vs. Money Market Accounts: How to Choose What's Best for You
Mar 4, 2024
Saving can be a tricky process. Do you choose a CD or a money market account? Let's look at the options in this article.
Read More
-
![]()
Are You Paying More Than the Average American for Groceries?
Mar 4, 2024
How much do you pay for groceries? How do you think it stacks up? Keep reading for the inside scoop.
Read More
-
![]()
Never Overlook These 3 Crucial Things When Investing in CDs
Feb 18, 2024
Investing in CDs is an accessible way for even investing novices to get a little bit bigger payout, but you have to read the fine …
Read More
-
![]()
3 Little-Known Money Traps That Could Be Draining Your Wallet
Feb 18, 2024
Is your wallet feeling a bit lighter right now than you expect? It might be one of these three money traps to blame.
Read More
-
![]()
3 Reasons Shoppers Love H-E-B Supermarkets
Feb 14, 2024
H-E-B supermarkets are beloved by Texans across the state, but it's not out of simple state loyalty. There's something different in an H-E-B.
Read More
-
![]()
I'm Ready to Face My Mountain of Debt Head On: Here's My Plan
Feb 3, 2024
When I left my husband, I gained a lot of bad debt. But it's not going to get the better of me -- I have …
Read More
-
![]()
Can You Afford to Sell Your Home?
Feb 3, 2024
Just because your home has a lot of equity thanks to rising tides doesn't mean you can actually afford to sell it. Find out what …
Read More
-
![]()
How Much Does 'Home Equity' Really Matter?
Jan 31, 2024
With skyrocketing home values in the wake of COVID-19, a lot of people have more equity in their homes. Here's why it might not matter …
Read More
-
![]()
I Bought a Fixer-Upper Home in 2015 and Here's Why I Still Don't Regret That Choice
Jan 31, 2024
Buying a fixer upper is one of the greatest things I've ever done. Keep reading to learn why it's worked out so well for me.
Read More
-
![]()
I Just Opened 6 Savings Accounts at My Credit Union. Here's Why.
Jan 24, 2024
New savings accounts will help me better meet my goals in 2024. Keep reading to learn about the bucketing technique for savings.
Read More
-
![]()
The Trash Kitten I Found Is Now 9 Months Old. Here Are Some Things I Wish I Had Known
Jan 15, 2024
Sometimes, the kitten distribution system knows what it's doing. Here are some lessons I've learned about raising a foundling kitten.
Read More
-
![]()
3 Essential Financial Health Checks I Perform Yearly for My Small Business
Jan 12, 2024
Small businesses aren't set in stone, they're living entities that require you to check in on them regularly. Find out what I do every January.
Read More
-
![]()
I Have 4 Senior Dogs. Here Are My 3 Top Tips for Saving Money on Their Care
Jan 12, 2024
My four senior dogs can be a massive challenge, both medically and financially. These are some tricks I use to help keep costs contained.
Read More
-
![]()
Costco Sells Tiny Houses: Here Are The Hidden Costs
Jan 10, 2024
Costco sells kits to build your own tiny house, but they're not complete bundles. Find out what you need to complete your new home and …
Read More
-
![]()
No, the Fed Didn't Lower Rates, But This Is Why It's Still OK to Buy a House Right Now
Jan 5, 2024
The Fed may not have lowered rates, but it doesn't really matter if you're looking to buy a home. Buy anyway -- here's why.
Read More
-
![]()
Can You Use a Home Equity Loan for Refreshing Your Home for the Holidays?
Dec 18, 2023
Looking to refresh your home for the holidays? Look no further than a home equity loan to help get the work done quickly. Check out …
Read More
-
![]()
3 Little-Known Surprises That Can Make or Break a Fixer-Upper Home
Dec 14, 2023
Buying a fixer-upper can save you a ton of money, or it can break you slowly. Here are some surprises to be aware of when …
Read More
-
![]()
What Does It Cost to Own a Pet? It's a Lot More Than You Think
Nov 20, 2023
Do you know what it costs to own a pet these days? The odds are incredibly high that you are very wrong. Read on to …
Read More
-
![]()
A Kitchen Upgrade Can Make Your Home Holiday-Ready. Here Are Some Inexpensive Ways to Refresh Your Space
Nov 12, 2023
Simple changes can make your kitchen the focal point of your holiday celebration. Give these DIY upgrades a try before calling in the pros this …
Read More
-
![]()
I've Been a Realtor and a Contractor. These Are My Juiciest Tips for Homeowners
Oct 19, 2023
I worked in the real estate industry for a decade and I've seen a lot of ways homeowners go wrong. Read on for my best …
Read More
-
![]()
Renting Is Now More Affordable Than Owning, According to Realtor.com. Here's Why I Still Recommend Buying a Home
Oct 17, 2023
Renting may be more affordable than owning a home right now, but a house is more than just a place to live. Here's why you …
Read More
-
![]()
This Little-Known Home Renovation Trick Could Save You Big Bucks
Oct 11, 2023
If your remodeling budget is a bit thin, or you just like getting big discounts, there's a way to save a bundle on your projects. …
Read More
-
![]()
6 Ways to Save on Home Closing Costs
Oct 6, 2023
Closing costs can be expensive, but they don't have to be. Read on for a few ways to reduce them so you can bring less …
Read More
-
![]()
3 Pet-Friendly Home Features That Can Improve Your Home's Resale Potential
Sep 29, 2023
A pet-friendly home doesn't have to be hard to sell. Here are three pet-friendly upgrades that can help your home move. Read on to learn …
Read More
-
![]()
3 Tips for Getting Your Home Ready to Show Without Spending Much Money
Sep 28, 2023
Getting your house ready to show doesn't have to be hard. Here's how you can do it for almost nothing if you're picky about the …
Read More
-
![]()
It's Fair Housing Month. Here Are 3 Steps You Can Take to Ensure You Get an Unbiased Appraisal
Apr 28, 2023
One of the less talked about issues with homeownership is biased appraisals. Read on to learn about both avoiding and fighting them.
Read More
-
![]()
You Can Pay to Lower the Interest Rate on Your Mortgage. Here's How
Apr 18, 2023
You don't have to pay full price for your mortgage. Here's how to get a discount on your next home purchase.
Read More
-
![]()
3 Things to Know Before Applying for a Mortgage
Apr 15, 2023
Thinking about getting a mortgage this year? Here are a few things to expect as you prepare.
Read More
-
![]()
8 Things to Look for in a House That Will Save You Money
Mar 24, 2023
Looking for a way to spend less on your next home purchase? Read on for some features to watch for that will save -- and …
Read More
-
![]()
Spread Your Social Media Message with LinkedIn Ads
May 18, 2022
LinkedIn ads are an effective marketing tool to reach and engage with potential customers. Here's how you can advertise your business on LinkedIn in six …
Read More
-
![]()
The Ins and Outs of Brand Ambassadors
May 18, 2022
A brand ambassador will endorse your product and help you reach new customers online and offline. Learn how to create a brand ambassador program for …
Read More
-
![]()
7 Characteristics of Stand-Out Employees
May 18, 2022
You can identify stand-out employees by identifying characteristics that help move your team forward. Here are seven characteristics to find those employees.
Read More
-
![]()
6 Amazing Things You Can Do With Zapier & Mailchimp
May 18, 2022
Zapier can integrate functionality into Mailchimp to eliminate tedious tasks. Here are six ways to integrate Zapier with Mailchimp to automate your email marketing.
Read More
-
![]()
The Pros and Cons of Using Trello to Manage Your Creative Project
May 18, 2022
Trello is a popular project management solution that fits all types of businesses, but is it right for you? We list the pros and cons …
Read More
-
![]()
Airtable Content Management Simplifies Project Planning
May 18, 2022
It's time to turn over complicated tasks of content management to an easy-to-use tool like Airtable. Get the most out of Airtable by following these …
Read More
-
![]()
You Can Start a Business with $2,000
May 18, 2022
With a good idea, energy, and a bit of luck, you can start a small business with $2,000. But where should you look? Here are …
Read More
-
![]()
Becoming a Tech Entrepreneur: The Basics
May 18, 2022
There are several different types of entrepreneurs in the technology space, and you can learn a lot from them. Let's take a quick look at …
Read More
-
![]()
Old MacDonald Wrote a Guide Called “How to Start a Farm”
May 18, 2022
Are you looking to start your own farm? The Ascent outlines some things you should consider and guides you on how to get started from …
Read More
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. The Motley Fool has a Disclosure Policy. The Author and/or The Motley Fool may have an interest in companies mentioned.