Sienna Kossman

My first interactions with credit cards occurred while working as a retail sales associate, pitching time-sensitive card perks to every customer who came through the checkout line. At the time, my 16-year-old self viewed credit only as an elusive gateway to overspending. Today, after many years of working odd jobs and completing a college degree, I hold a few lines of credit and understand that as long as you are proactive about maintaining financial literacy, credit can be a very beneficial tool, especially at a young age. Prior to my graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, I spent a summer writing consumer-friendly health and money articles for U.S. News & World Report. I’ve since developed a desire to continue learning how to better manage my personal finances and help others do the same. Today I am a staff reporter for CreditCards.com, delving into the world of credit scores and reports.