Kat Tretina

Orlando

The one, true Kat Tretina. Freelance writer, financial and student loan counselor, hater of debt, and protector of the land clouds.

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Articles

Cheapest commercial auto insurance in 2025

5 days ago | insurance.com | Kat Tretina |John McCormick |John Mccormick

As a small business owner, keeping your business running is no small feat — especially if you rely on vehicles. Whether you're delivering pastries or hauling tools to a job site, your business needs commercial auto insurance. Commercial auto policies can range from a few hundred dollars to $1,000 or more per month, depending on the vehicles you need to insure, your coverage limits and what types of insurance you choose. Prices also vary greatly by location and business type.
State Farm vs. Nationwide [2025]: Which Insurance Giant Is Right for You?

1 week ago | financebuzz.com | Kat Tretina |Ashley Donohoe

Nationwide and State Farm are giants in the insurance industry. While both are reputable companies with a broad range of coverage options and discount programs, Nationwide edges out State Farm in claims satisfaction. However, State Farm generally has lower rates than Nationwide for all types of drivers. In full disclosure, I've been a long-time State Farm customer and appreciate State Farm's personalized experience.
Car Insurance Rates By Credit Score [2025]

2 weeks ago | financebuzz.com | Kat Tretina |Melinda Sineriz

Building and maintaining good credit is hard work. But that hard work can pay off. A strong credit score can help you qualify for lower rates on loans or the best rewards credit cards, and it can even benefit you when you shop for car insurance. In many states, insurance companies can use your credit during the underwriting process to decide your rates. How does credit affect car insurance? A high credit score could allow you to save hundreds on auto policies.
Nationwide vs. AAA: Which Is Better for Car Insurance?

2 weeks ago | financebuzz.com | Kat Tretina |Ashley Donohoe

Depending on where you live, coverage through a AAA club may give you optional add-ons and access to valuable perks like a disappearing deductible and claims-free rewards. You might also get cheaper coverage with this provider, although that wasn't the case for me. However, AAA's car insurance products, pricing, and customer service will vary based on the club issuing the policy.
Nationwide vs. Progressive: Which Insurance Giant Is Better?

2 weeks ago | financebuzz.com | Kat Tretina |Ashley Donohoe

Nationwide and Progressive are well-known insurance companies, and both insurers are common sights on television due to their commercials (there's no escaping Flo or Peyton Manning anymore). They're also both reputable providers with many coverage options. However, these insurance giants suit different needs. If you prefer in-person help and prioritize customer service, Nationwide is the clear winner, especially for cheaper liability coverage.
State Farm vs. Farm Bureau: Which Is Cheaper for Car Insurance?

3 weeks ago | financebuzz.com | Kat Tretina |Ashley Donohoe

State Farm is the largest private passenger auto insurance company based on direct premiums written while Farm Bureau is a smaller membership-based insurance provider. However, Goliath isn't always better than Goliath. In some cases, Farm Bureau may be preferable due to its customer service and cost. In general, I found that Farm Bureau has better ratings for customer satisfaction, but tends to have higher car insurance rates for drivers with less-than-perfect driving records.
Direct Auto Insurance Review [2025]: Coverage for High-Risk Drivers

3 weeks ago | financebuzz.com | Kat Tretina |Melinda Sineriz

Direct Auto is a subsidiary of Allstate, the fourth-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the country. As Direct Auto specializes in non-standard coverage, I believe it's a good fit for those who have trouble getting coverage elsewhere, such as drivers who have been convicted of driving under the influence.
Can you pay college tuition with a credit card? Yes, but think twice.

3 weeks ago | finance.yahoo.com | Kat Tretina

It may appear to be a clever life hack: If you have a rewards credit card, use it to pay for your college tuition to earn valuable rewards. Depending on the type of school you attend, college tuition averages $11,610 to $43,350 per year, according to the College Board. By paying the bill with a rewards credit card, the amount of points, miles, or cash back you’d earn could be substantial.
Preparing for a recession? Take advantage of these credit card benefits

1 month ago | finance.yahoo.com | Kat Tretina

Between tariff concerns, inflated prices, and rising debt delinquency rates, you might already be feeling some financial uncertainty. If and when a recession hits, there may not be much you can do to combat it on an economic level, but you can protect your own wallet. Building an emergency savings fund, sticking to a budget, and getting ahead of high-interest debt balances are all good places to start.
5 Easy Steps to Getting the Most for Your Collectibles

1 month ago | money.com | Kat Tretina |Paul Reynolds

Whether you inherited your grandmother's china collection or are still holding on to your Beanie Babies, you likely have thought about how to turn your unused stuff into cash. But you may have held off on selling it because you didn’t know how much the items were worth – and were afraid of selling them for less than their actual value. Making accurate valuations of your collectibles will help you price them appropriately — and potentially get more cash if you sell them.