I'M Kat Tretina

a full-time freelance writer and counselor

with certifications in financial education and student loans.

My Money Story

There’s no way around it;
I made a lot of money mistakes

I had a lot of sleepless nights because of money-related anxiety. It’s not an experience I would wish on anyone, and it’s what led me to start writing about personal finance in the first place.

My education isn’t in finance; I double-majored in Communications and English at Elizabethtown College, and I went on to earn my Master of Arts degree in Communications from West Chester University.

I learned a good deal from my own financial mistakes, and I enjoy helping people avoid those problems. That drive caused me to pursue financial counseling, and I’ve earned counseling certifications in financial education and student loan repayment.

Finance Content Writing

That Offers a Fresh Take on Stale Topics

Previously, I worked as a writer for Student Loan Hero, focusing on student loan and higher education content. After Student Loan Hero was acquired by LendingTree in 2018, I branched out to freelance full-time, and have been working for myself ever since.

My work has been published by major outlets like The Buy Side From Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, Money.com, Forbes Advisor and more.

When I am Not Writing About Money

Here's What You should know

I am originally from the Philadelphia area, but I relocated to Florida in 2016
(But I am still a die-hard Flyers fan).

Now, I’m a Disney annual passholder
(My top tip? Make sure you have a Dole Whip float).

All of my articles are written entirely by me — but they are written in the presence of at least one of my three land clouds (dogs). They are lovebugs, even if they are terrible interns.