Nicole Dieker

Contributor, Personal Finance

EXPERTISE

Personal finance
Credit cards
Banking
Consumer loans

EDUCATION

BA in Music, Theatre Minor, Miami University
MFA in Theatre, Illinois State University

"The more you know about credit cards, the better equipped you'll be to make choices that work out in your favor – whether you're taking advantage of your credit card grace period to avoid interest charges, using a 0% intro APR credit card to fund a vacation or redeeming your credit card rewards at their maximum value. Credit is a powerful tool, when used wisely – and as a person who's been writing about personal finance for a decade, I hope to provide you with the tools to make as many wise decisions as possible."
— Nicole Dieker

Nicole Dieker has been a full-time freelance writer since 2012 — and a personal finance enthusiast since 2004, when she graduated from college and, looking for financial guidance, found a battered copy of Your Money or Your Life at the public library.

In addition to writing for Bankrate, her work has appeared on CreditCards.com, Vox, Lifehacker, Popular Science, The Penny Hoarder, The Simple Dollar and NBC News. Dieker spent five years as writer and editor for The Billfold, a personal finance blog where people had honest conversations about money. Dieker also teaches writing, freelancing and publishing classes and works one-on-one with authors as a developmental editor and copyeditor.

Nicole Dieker is the author of Frugal and the Beast: And Other Financial Fairy Tales, in which she reworks classic fairy tales to highlight their hidden financial lessons. She also writes the Larkin Day Mystery series.

"The more you know about credit cards, the better equipped you'll be to make choices that work out in your favor – whether you're taking advantage of your credit card grace period to avoid interest charges, using a 0% intro APR credit card to fund a vacation or redeeming your credit card rewards at their maximum value. Credit is a powerful tool, when used wisely – and as a person who's been writing about personal finance for a decade, I hope to provide you with the tools to make as many wise decisions as possible."
— Nicole Dieker

Nicole's latest articles

What to do when your credit card application is denied

So, your credit card application has been denied — here’s what to do next.

9 min read Mar 04, 2024
Why I charged a cruise on my credit card

A 0 percent intro card can help you fund large purchases, even a vacation.

4 min read Feb 13, 2024
Are retail credit cards worth it?

Store credit cards reward loyalty, but they may not be the best choice for you.

6 min read Feb 08, 2024
Can I cancel a credit card application?

Can you cancel a credit card application? Yes, but only if it’s pending a decision.

7 min read Jan 26, 2024
The 3 best gas apps of 2024

Choosing the best gas app can save you money at the pump.

4 min read Jan 26, 2024
Which credit cards allow you to set spending limits for authorized users?

Not all credit cards allow you to set spending limits for authorized users.

5 min read Jan 22, 2024
What are convenience checks?

Convenience checks can be used in a number of ways, but note they come with hidden costs.

5 min read Jan 04, 2024
Is the Capital One VentureOne Card worth it?

If you’re looking for a good starter travel card—or if you simply want a low-cost, no-annual-fee card—the VentureOne Rewards card might be a good option.

7 min read Dec 21, 2023