Jackie Lam

Angels Camp, Los Angeles

Personal Finance Writer at Freelance

Freelance money writer and financial coach for artists and freelancing creatives @buzzfeed @cnet @refinery29

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Articles

As a single Vietnamese American woman, I'm expected to help aging relatives. My 4-part savings strategy makes it possible.

2 days ago | businessinsider.com | Libby Kane |Jackie Lam |Henry Blodget

A few years ago, when I was at lunch with my older brother and mom, I asked my mom why she decided to have kids. She responded half-jokingly, saying she wanted to have someone to love her unconditionally and take care of her in her old age. While it was a cheeky response, it was one that contained a kernel of truth. When you're growing up Vietnamese American, there are cultural expectations to help out aging family members.
TikTok has a way to bypass tariffs - but is it legit?

4 days ago | salon.com | Jackie Lam

What American doesn't like a deal, especially in this economy? Chinese manufacturers are banking on it. A slew of videos they have posted on social media amid Trump’s trade war claims that our favorite high-fashion and luxury brands are produced in China — and we can bypass tariffs if we order directly from them. A search on TikTok for the hashtag #chinamanufacturer yields nearly 23,000 videos, while the hashtag #chinafactory offers over 107,000 TikToks.
TikTok has a way to bypass tariffs — but is it legit?

4 days ago | finance.yahoo.com | Jackie Lam

Getty Images/Ezra Acayan What American doesn't like a deal, especially in this economy? Chinese manufacturers are banking on it. A slew of videos they have posted on social media amid Trump’s trade war claims that our favorite high-fashion and luxury brands are produced in China — and we can bypass tariffs if we order directly from them. A search on TikTok for the hashtag #chinamanufacturer yields nearly 23,000 videos, while the hashtag #chinafactory offers over 107,000 TikToks.
Car insurance prices are rising, but I lowered my rate by $350 a year in just 30 minutes

2 weeks ago | businessinsider.com | Avril Ayers |Jackie Lam |Henry Blodget

The author, Jackie Lam. Courtesy of Jackie Lam 2025-04-30T21:00:52Z Facebook Email X LinkedIn Copy link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? . Tariffs are raising the price of car insurance where I live, but I'm still trying to save money.
8 Perks of Working During Retirement

2 weeks ago | moneymanagement.org | Jackie Lam

Retirement can spark fantasies of globetrotting around the world by plane or cruise ship, lapsing into endless days of leisure, or finally having the time to pursue that long-cast-aside hobby. But these days, it turns out that those reaching retirement age might actually want to continue working. According to a Harris Poll study, 72% of those surveyed would like to semi-retire by working a more flexible schedule, while 58% would like transition into semi-retirement by working reduced hours.
How to Keep Your Insurance Premiums Down After an Accident

1 month ago | moneymanagement.org | Jackie Lam

The following is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. If you get into a car accident, expect your car insurance premium to go up. While the amount of a potential yearly premium spike following an accident can vary by state and your insurer, according an analysis by NerdWallet, in 41 states and Washington, D.C. drivers who've been in a recent accident pay more than $500 more than drivers who haven't.
The high cost of not having a bank account

1 month ago | salon.com | Jackie Lam

Imagine your daily life without using a debit card to pay for groceries or pulling up your bank app to check your account balance. But that is the current reality for millions of Americans. According to a recent survey by the FDIC, data from 2023 reveals over 5.6 million unbanked households in the U.S. In other words, they don't have a checking or savings account. That's a record low number since the survey began in 2009, but some groups were more likely to not have a bank.
The high cost of not having a bank account

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Jackie Lam

Imagine your daily life without using a debit card to pay for groceries or pulling up your bank app to check your account balance. But that is the current reality for millions of Americans. According to a recent survey by the FDIC, data from 2023 reveals over 5.6 million unbanked households in the U.S. In other words, they don't have a checking or savings account. That's a record low number since the survey began in 2009, but some groups were more likely to not have a bank.
When Will This Fall Off My Credit Report?

1 month ago | moneymanagement.org | Jackie Lam

The following is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended as credit repair or legal advice. If you’ve ever dinged your credit, you might feel like you’re in consumer purgatory. Waves of anxiety might sweep over you, especially if you’ve been working hard at rebuilding your credit. And you’re afraid that you might be denied financing when you need it. How much damage has already been done to your credit?
How to Pay Off Debt As a Gig Worker

1 month ago | moneymanagement.org | Jackie Lam

Paying off debt is hard enough when you’ve got bills to pay and are spinning a bunch of financial plates. But it only gets harder when you’ve got an income that fluctuates up and down. Maybe you’re a gig economy worker, full-time freelancer, or just lost your job. Whatever the reason, it may seem far easier to just avoid your debts for as long as humanly possible. No need to despair. Debt repayment is entirely possible, even if you’re living on inconsistent income.