Jen Smith

Contributor

Jen Smith, Personal Finance Expert and Writer at DollarSprout

With nearly a decade of experience as a personal finance writer and author, Jen Smith is passionate about empowering individuals to achieve financial freedom through practical strategies and simple living. She’s the founder of Modern Frugality, a resource for debt management and frugal living, and co-host of the Frugal Friends Podcast, part of the iHeart Podcast Network.

Jen began her personal finance journey by paying off $78,000 of debt in just two years without a six-figure income. She has since written three personal finance books, including the Amazon best-seller The No-Spend Challenge Guide, and her expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Woman’s Day, and more.

Jen has also written for several prominent platforms, including Investopedia, The Penny Hoarder, and The Balance, covering topics such as retirement, investing, and frugal living.

Outside of her professional work, Jen enjoys life as a mom and continues to embrace creative and frugal ways to enrich her family’s life.

Education

  • Florida College of Integrative Medicine: M.S. in Integrative Medicine, B.S. in Health Sciences
  • University of Central Florida: A.A.

Media Mentions

Connect with Jen on LinkedIn to learn more or check out her latest articles on DollarSprout.

14 Legitimate Ways to Get Free Diapers for Your Baby

As most new moms (and dads) can attest, the number of diapers a baby can go through in a day is staggering. My son is no different. As much as I like to think he’s special, his butt is not. The average child will go through 7,000 diapers before they’re potty trained.[1] At an average…

Jen Smith 20 Nov

The Pink Tax: The Absurd Reason It Costs More to Be a Woman

Women endure a slew of disadvantages when it comes to financial security. Studies show that women on average pay more for mortgages, even though they’ve historically been better at paying them back.[1] Women endure a slew of disadvantages when it comes to financial security. Studies show that women on average pay more for mortgages, even…

Jen Smith 18 Nov

The 6 Step Process to Profitable Craigslist Selling

When I was in college I was always looking to make extra cash to fund my Starbucks addiction. And like most over-caffeinated students, my schedule didn’t leave a lot of room for a part-time job. That’s why one of my favorite side hustles was Craigslist. There’s no account to set up, you can sell virtually…

Jen Smith 13 Nov

15 Smart Places to Buy Discount Shoes Online

I’ve never been up on the latest fashion trends. So when it comes to shoes I’m happy buying discount shoes online or the cheapest brands from big box stores just to have something on my feet. But more often than I’d like to admit, those shoes cost me more in the long run. The sandals…

Jen Smith 24 Oct

Side Hustle Statistics 2019: Who, How Much & Most Popular Gigs

From dog walking to delivering food, there’s a side hustle for every personality, preference, and schedule. Starting a side hustle can be as simple as downloading an app or submitting some personal information on a website. But what you might not be able to tell is if the side hustle is going to be worth…

Jen Smith 27 Sep

Rocket Money vs. Trim: Which App Will Save You the Most?

I recently had to send a fax. Instead of getting in my car to find a store where I could print and fax my forms, I signed up for a free month of a service that would let me send faxes online. One month later I checked my transactions and saw I had a $10…

Jen Smith 12 Sep

The 10 Important Do’s and Don’ts of Choosing a Side Hustle

There are plenty of reasons you might need an extra $50 or $100 in your pocket immediately. After all, tires don’t warn you before they go flat and kids have no regard for how much their stunts cost in urgent care bills. You might also need money fast if you’re trying to pay off debt…

Jen Smith 22 Aug

Postmates Driver Review: 4 Tips for Earning the Most

When it comes to signing up for one of the many apps that deliver dinner, groceries, or even your dry cleaning, there’s no shortage of companies claiming you’ll make money fast with their services. Some have an easy application process, offer flexible hours, and can earn you a good amount of money. One of those…

Jen Smith 22 Apr

Get Paid to Write: 13 Sites That Pay Up to $450 per Article

When I started a blog four years ago, I had no idea I could get paid to write about anything. Fast forward three years. Now I get paid to write about things I love, and I make a full-time living doing it. Freelance writing can be a great way to make money from home. But…

Jen Smith 21 Nov