Amanda Smith
Amanda Smith is an Australian freelance journalist and writer based in the New York City area who reports on culture/society, technology, and health.
Her ability to hold a mirror up to society, to see both the malaise and majesty, has led to assignments with highly respected titles such as The Guardian, Business Insider, MIT Tech Review, and National Geographic. She is a regular contributor to CNET, Cointelegraph, and the Sydney Morning Herald, where she covers AI, crypto, and reproductive technology. Previously, she covered personal finance on the NerdWallet Australia team for three years.
EXPERIENCE
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CCNETFreelance Journalist 2024–Present
EDUCATION
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UUniversity of South AustraliaMaster of Journalism 2013
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UUniversity of South AustraliaBachelor of Public Relations 2007
FIND ME ON
- Business Insider
- NerdWallet
- Cointelegraph
- MIT Technology Review
- CNET
- The Guardian etc.
Their Top Finance Tip
Identity and upbringing have more of an influence on financial health than you might think. Explore it.
Amanda Smith's Expertise
Amanda's favorite resources
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CNBC
2
Fortune
3
The Washington Post
In Conversation
More from Amanda Smith
LATEST
Managing Money • 13h ago
One couple used a ‘marital loophole’ to ‘zero out’ income taxes for 7 years — but the IRS watches it closely. Here’s how
Some high earners who own property can claim real-estate losses against their income. You just need to tread carefully to avoid a big bill.
Managing Money • 13h ago
One couple used a ‘marital loophole’ to ‘zero out’ income taxes for 7 years — but the IRS watches it closely. Here’s how
Some high earners who own property can claim real-estate losses against their income. You just need to tread carefully to avoid a big bill.
Life • 12449 views
'Absolutely insane': People are mad at the mouse over an $86 family meal ‘deal’ at a Disneyland pizza stand
Disney guests are up in arms about the cost of a pizza combo at one on-site restaurant. Redditors are shocked that people would pay that much for fast-food pizza with so many options nearby.
Life • 12449 views
'Absolutely insane': People are mad at the mouse over an $86 family meal ‘deal’ at a Disneyland pizza stand
Disney guests are up in arms about the cost of a pizza combo at one on-site restaurant. Redditors are shocked that people would pay that much for fast-food pizza with so many options nearby.
Managing Money • May 19
Soccer player who made over $2 million a year explains why retirement made him wish he 'never played’
Money can't buy financial literacy, even for those making millions. One soccer star wishes he had chosen another career that would support him until retirement.
Managing Money • May 19
Soccer player who made over $2 million a year explains why retirement made him wish he 'never played’
Money can't buy financial literacy, even for those making millions. One soccer star wishes he had chosen another career that would support him until retirement.
News • May 18
Only 2% backed Kevin O'Leary's $100 billion Utah data center — now residents want a referendum to kill it
As more ultra-wealthy personalities push for AI centers in small towns, local residents are fighting back.
News • May 18
Only 2% backed Kevin O'Leary's $100 billion Utah data center — now residents want a referendum to kill it
As more ultra-wealthy personalities push for AI centers in small towns, local residents are fighting back.
News • May 18
'Cringe bathroom' and 'sad fireplace': Homeowners who can't sell are turning to Reddit for advice on their listings
The pandemic-era property market feeding frenzy is over, and some sellers are struggling to sell their homes. They’re turning to unexpected places to capture public sentiment.
News • May 18
'Cringe bathroom' and 'sad fireplace': Homeowners who can't sell are turning to Reddit for advice on their listings
The pandemic-era property market feeding frenzy is over, and some sellers are struggling to sell their homes. They’re turning to unexpected places to capture public sentiment.
Life • 10263 views
Ditching travel plans due to high costs? The Points Guy says banks give you thousands 'for free' to fund trips
You should also play offense, he says, and stop assuming that when you book, that's the best price you're going to get.
Life • 10263 views
Ditching travel plans due to high costs? The Points Guy says banks give you thousands 'for free' to fund trips
You should also play offense, he says, and stop assuming that when you book, that's the best price you're going to get.
News • May 14
Tech company's 16,000 workers lose their 401(k) match so the company can bet on AI — and they're not alone
From "quiet cutting" to public layoffs citing AI efforts, many of the big tech companies are cutting employee benefits. Here's why it will hurt women the most.
News • May 14
Tech company's 16,000 workers lose their 401(k) match so the company can bet on AI — and they're not alone
From "quiet cutting" to public layoffs citing AI efforts, many of the big tech companies are cutting employee benefits. Here's why it will hurt women the most.
Managing Money • May 11
Her $55,000 student loan balance vanished overnight — 10 months later, SoFi took her to court
Millions of Americans are defaulting on their student loans. One 35-year-old professional got sued after last checking her account was $0. What’s going on with student loans right now?
Managing Money • May 11
Her $55,000 student loan balance vanished overnight — 10 months later, SoFi took her to court
Millions of Americans are defaulting on their student loans. One 35-year-old professional got sued after last checking her account was $0. What’s going on with student loans right now?
News • May 09
Kevin O'Leary wants to build a data center 3x the size of Manhattan in Utah — sparking chants of 'shame!' from locals
Local communities across the country are up in arms over the approved data centers being built. Kevin O’Leary said the red tape around data centers is causing the U.S. to fall behind in the AI race.
News • May 09
Kevin O'Leary wants to build a data center 3x the size of Manhattan in Utah — sparking chants of 'shame!' from locals
Local communities across the country are up in arms over the approved data centers being built. Kevin O’Leary said the red tape around data centers is causing the U.S. to fall behind in the AI race.
Insurance • May 08
Delayed, underpaid, buried in red tape: California seeks biggest-ever $2 million fine against State Farm over wildfires
The 2025 wildfires forced 200,000 people from their homes, and homeowners are still fighting for compensation. Why is home insurance such a nightmare?
Insurance • May 08
Delayed, underpaid, buried in red tape: California seeks biggest-ever $2 million fine against State Farm over wildfires
The 2025 wildfires forced 200,000 people from their homes, and homeowners are still fighting for compensation. Why is home insurance such a nightmare?
Managing Money • May 07
Jet Li is the latest millionaire to admit he loves shopping at Costco — why the ultrawealthy can’t resist saving a buck
Celebrities and multimillionaires love Costco. But why are they buying in bulk when they could purchase anything at any price point?
Managing Money • May 07
Jet Li is the latest millionaire to admit he loves shopping at Costco — why the ultrawealthy can’t resist saving a buck
Celebrities and multimillionaires love Costco. But why are they buying in bulk when they could purchase anything at any price point?
Managing Money • May 03
A couple lost $185K in retirement savings because no advisor was actually managing their account
Imagine waking up one morning to check your retirement account and it’s dropped from $185K to $10K. It’s a nightmare scenario for anyone, especially a couple in their mid-50’s who are ready to retire.
Managing Money • May 03
A couple lost $185K in retirement savings because no advisor was actually managing their account
Imagine waking up one morning to check your retirement account and it’s dropped from $185K to $10K. It’s a nightmare scenario for anyone, especially a couple in their mid-50’s who are ready to retire.
News • May 03
Hochul vows no new taxes, but 54% of New Yorkers back Mamdani's $5 billion 'tax the rich' plan instead
Mayor Mamdani wants rich New Yorkers to have to pay more in personal income taxes, but Governor Hochul said she won’t consider it. Here’s what New Yorkers want.
News • May 03
Hochul vows no new taxes, but 54% of New Yorkers back Mamdani's $5 billion 'tax the rich' plan instead
Mayor Mamdani wants rich New Yorkers to have to pay more in personal income taxes, but Governor Hochul said she won’t consider it. Here’s what New Yorkers want.
Managing Money • May 01
My late mother put a storage unit in my name — and $1,800 went to collections. Will it hurt my credit if I don't pay?
If a loved one puts debt in your name, then passes away, you have a tricky situation to sort out.
Managing Money • May 01
My late mother put a storage unit in my name — and $1,800 went to collections. Will it hurt my credit if I don't pay?
If a loved one puts debt in your name, then passes away, you have a tricky situation to sort out.
News • Apr 30
Bank robber who stole nearly $200K says his privacy was violated when caught. Supreme Court will decide if he’s right
Can a convicted bank robber lay claim to a reasonable expectation of privacy?
News • Apr 30
Bank robber who stole nearly $200K says his privacy was violated when caught. Supreme Court will decide if he’s right
Can a convicted bank robber lay claim to a reasonable expectation of privacy?
News • Apr 29
Ford's latest patent lets your truck scan your face and read your lips — and one day it could testify against you
Owning a car is starting to feel a lot like renting your own data back from the manufacturer. Ford’s new patent is chilling for privacy experts and advocates.
News • Apr 29
Ford's latest patent lets your truck scan your face and read your lips — and one day it could testify against you
Owning a car is starting to feel a lot like renting your own data back from the manufacturer. Ford’s new patent is chilling for privacy experts and advocates.
Managing Money • Apr 26
A husband secretly drained $100K from his 401(k) and lost it all in an online scam — Dave Ramsey calls it betrayal
Imagine waking up one morning to your spouse telling you they got scammed out of $100K. That’s the reality for this New Jersey woman. Here’s how to ensure this never happens to you.
Managing Money • Apr 26
A husband secretly drained $100K from his 401(k) and lost it all in an online scam — Dave Ramsey calls it betrayal
Imagine waking up one morning to your spouse telling you they got scammed out of $100K. That’s the reality for this New Jersey woman. Here’s how to ensure this never happens to you.
Managing Money • Apr 26
A couple in their 70s sold their home for a $700K 'BoomerBus'
The retirees made a big lifestyle bet, but the fuel crisis could stall their adventures. Here’s what roadtrippers and van life folks need to consider.
Managing Money • Apr 26
A couple in their 70s sold their home for a $700K 'BoomerBus'
The retirees made a big lifestyle bet, but the fuel crisis could stall their adventures. Here’s what roadtrippers and van life folks need to consider.
Life • Apr 24
US is on track to have 8 million fewer people than earlier projected by 2055. The fertility crisis is a financial one
In China, Japan, Italy and South Korea, there are already more deaths than births, and experts say more developed countries would face serious population decline if not for immigration.
Life • Apr 24
US is on track to have 8 million fewer people than earlier projected by 2055. The fertility crisis is a financial one
In China, Japan, Italy and South Korea, there are already more deaths than births, and experts say more developed countries would face serious population decline if not for immigration.
News • Apr 24
In a fit of caprice, Trump reverses course on interest rates while backing Warsh for the Fed
President Trump has spent a considerable amount of time calling on the Fed to cut interest rates. This week, he contradicted himself on the same day the Senate Banking Committee met.
News • Apr 24
In a fit of caprice, Trump reverses course on interest rates while backing Warsh for the Fed
President Trump has spent a considerable amount of time calling on the Fed to cut interest rates. This week, he contradicted himself on the same day the Senate Banking Committee met.
News • Apr 23
Warren Buffet says 800 US companies could wipe out income tax — but 88 profitable giants paid the IRS $0 in 2025 rebates
Dozens of the big businesses we all know and use daily have circumvented income taxes.
News • Apr 23
Warren Buffet says 800 US companies could wipe out income tax — but 88 profitable giants paid the IRS $0 in 2025 rebates
Dozens of the big businesses we all know and use daily have circumvented income taxes.
Managing Money • Apr 20
I’m in Chapter 13 bankruptcy and just got married. My payments jumped from $300 to $2,000 — did we screw up?
When a couple comes together, so do their finances.
Managing Money • Apr 20
I’m in Chapter 13 bankruptcy and just got married. My payments jumped from $300 to $2,000 — did we screw up?
When a couple comes together, so do their finances.
News • Apr 18
22-year-old billionaires pay professionals $2M a day to train the AI that could replace them
Would you work for 22-year-olds who envision the future of white-collar work without humans?
News • Apr 18
22-year-old billionaires pay professionals $2M a day to train the AI that could replace them
Would you work for 22-year-olds who envision the future of white-collar work without humans?
News • Apr 17
Elon Musk demands that banks advising on SpaceX’s blockbuster IPO must subscribe to his AI chatbot, Grok
The world’s richest man is attempting to bolster Grok subscriptions through big business contracts.
News • Apr 17
Elon Musk demands that banks advising on SpaceX’s blockbuster IPO must subscribe to his AI chatbot, Grok
The world’s richest man is attempting to bolster Grok subscriptions through big business contracts.
Managing Money • Apr 16
Private equity hits 16-year lows, crypto keeps tumbling — and Trump wants both in your 401(k)
Trump wants more “diversification” in 401(k)s. Opponents say we shouldn’t play with retirement savings.
Managing Money • Apr 16
Private equity hits 16-year lows, crypto keeps tumbling — and Trump wants both in your 401(k)
Trump wants more “diversification” in 401(k)s. Opponents say we shouldn’t play with retirement savings.
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