SPY -1.03%

BND -0.58%

QQQ -1.94%

DIA -0.41%

VNQ -0.54%

GLD -2.49%

BTC -8.37%

AAPL +0.03%

GOOGL +0.31%

NVDA -6.87%

MSFT +0.37%

META +1.62%

AMZN +0.77%

TSLA -0.51%

UBER -1.78%

GS -1.27%

BAC +0.55%

JPM +0.52%

BRK.A +0.56%

COST +1.66%

XOM +2.29%

BABA -7.35%

WMT +1.77%

SPCX -0.94%

DIS -0.79%

F -2.86%

Avril Ayers

Avril Ayers

Avril Ayers

Contributing Writer

Avril Ayers is a journalist with over eight years of experience writing, editing and proofreading. They have covered personal finance and investing since 2021.

They are dedicated to making essential financial topics clear and accessible for everyone. Through their coverage of topics such as banking, financial advisors, investing and loans, they hope to give readers actionable ideas and a clearer understanding of how the big picture affects people day to day. You can find their previous work at Business Insider, InvestorPlace and elsewhere.

EXPERIENCE

B

Business Insider
Personal Finance Editor 2023–2025

I

InvestorPlace
Web Editor 2021–2022

EDUCATION

D

Drury University
Bachelor of Arts in English and Writing 2014

FIND ME ON

Their Top Finance Tip Getting more value out of your money doesn't need to be complicated.

Avril Ayers's Expertise

Suze Orman visits the SiriusXM Studios.

Retirement • 26832 views

Suze Orman says a 'subtle' new Social Security law can increase your lifetime payouts by 76%

Winning may feel good now, but it could cost you later.

Retirement • Oct 11

52% of Gen Z investors have bet with funds they intended to invest — and their Social Security could pay the price

Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., speaks to reporters on the House steps.

Retirement • Oct 10

Social Security's retirement age labels could change — will the new names help you get a bigger benefit?

A close-up of a man's hand scratching a lottery ticket with a coin

News • 22h ago

Michigan man, 68, thought his Christmas scratcher won $500 — then sat on the $500K ticket for nearly a year

A two-column collage featuring a wattage meter, left, and the Duke Energy building in Raleigh.

News • Nov 11

South Carolina widow has relied on a $25/day generator for a year — her power was cut off over disputed $10,000 bill

target

News • Nov 10

Pennsylvania says 4 men paid Target and Kohl’s with fake bills, then returned goods for at least $12,436 in real cash

Banking • Nov 12

U.S. Bank refunded only $10K of a 99-year-old's $30K in unauthorized withdrawals — then closed his case

Worker Samuel Guerrero cuts a plot of community grass, used as a shared green space, at the Desert Color housing development in St. George, Utah.

Insurance • Nov 03

Forget Florida and California: Utah homeowners are now the most likely in America to be dropped by their insurer

Financial guru Dave Ramsey

Managing Money • Nov 08

Dave Ramsey tells caller to cover these 5 expenses before paying her credit card — even with a growing balance

Dave Ramsey gives advice to a caller about her new relationship live from his radio show studio.

Managing Money • Oct 10

Dave Ramsey breaks his own prenup rule to warn a woman who left her last marriage with $1M and $10K in monthly payments

A photo of a man wine shopping

Life • Oct 17

California's wine glut means $150 bottles are hiding behind $30 private labels — here's how to find them

More articles from Avril Ayers

More from Avril Ayers

LATEST

A close-up of a man's hand scratching a lottery ticket with a coin

News • 22h ago

Michigan man, 68, thought his Christmas scratcher won $500 — then sat on the $500K ticket for nearly a year

If you win the lottery, what you should do with the money depends on taxes and your investment plan, but you should never go in assuming that you’ll win.

A close-up of a man's hand scratching a lottery ticket with a coin

News • 22h ago

Michigan man, 68, thought his Christmas scratcher won $500 — then sat on the $500K ticket for nearly a year

If you win the lottery, what you should do with the money depends on taxes and your investment plan, but you should never go in assuming that you’ll win.

Banking • Nov 12

U.S. Bank refunded only $10K of a 99-year-old's $30K in unauthorized withdrawals — then closed his case

If your bank statement has unauthorized transactions, you should report it within 60 days.

Banking • Nov 12

U.S. Bank refunded only $10K of a 99-year-old's $30K in unauthorized withdrawals — then closed his case

If your bank statement has unauthorized transactions, you should report it within 60 days.

A two-column collage featuring a wattage meter, left, and the Duke Energy building in Raleigh.

News • Nov 11

South Carolina widow has relied on a $25/day generator for a year — her power was cut off over disputed $10,000 bill

If you think your energy bill is too high, a wattage meter can show you exactly how much each device in your home costs.

A two-column collage featuring a wattage meter, left, and the Duke Energy building in Raleigh.

News • Nov 11

South Carolina widow has relied on a $25/day generator for a year — her power was cut off over disputed $10,000 bill

If you think your energy bill is too high, a wattage meter can show you exactly how much each device in your home costs.

target

News • Nov 10

Pennsylvania says 4 men paid Target and Kohl’s with fake bills, then returned goods for at least $12,436 in real cash

The U.S. will be rolling out a new $10 bill soon. The best way to make sure you don’t get a counterfeit bill is to learn about the security features of real bills.

target

News • Nov 10

Pennsylvania says 4 men paid Target and Kohl’s with fake bills, then returned goods for at least $12,436 in real cash

The U.S. will be rolling out a new $10 bill soon. The best way to make sure you don’t get a counterfeit bill is to learn about the security features of real bills.

Financial guru Dave Ramsey

Managing Money • Nov 08

Dave Ramsey tells caller to cover these 5 expenses before paying her credit card — even with a growing balance

Dave Ramsey says the best way to get out of credit card debt is to stop using it. An emergency fund could prevent the problem altogether.

Financial guru Dave Ramsey

Managing Money • Nov 08

Dave Ramsey tells caller to cover these 5 expenses before paying her credit card — even with a growing balance

Dave Ramsey says the best way to get out of credit card debt is to stop using it. An emergency fund could prevent the problem altogether.

Suze Orman visits the SiriusXM Studios.

Retirement • 26832 views

Suze Orman says a 'subtle' new Social Security law can increase your lifetime payouts by 76%

The financial guru explains how new terminology could encourage Americans to delay claiming and collect bigger checks.

Suze Orman visits the SiriusXM Studios.

Retirement • 26832 views

Suze Orman says a 'subtle' new Social Security law can increase your lifetime payouts by 76%

The financial guru explains how new terminology could encourage Americans to delay claiming and collect bigger checks.

Two adults talk to an older woman as she attempts to sign a document.

News • Nov 05

A Kentucky man died without a will and left $2.3M in accounts to his kids. An appeals court says his widow gets half

A transfer-on-death account has some upsides while you’re alive, but it’s still a good idea to have a will even if you think you know exactly where your money is going when you die.

Two adults talk to an older woman as she attempts to sign a document.

News • Nov 05

A Kentucky man died without a will and left $2.3M in accounts to his kids. An appeals court says his widow gets half

A transfer-on-death account has some upsides while you’re alive, but it’s still a good idea to have a will even if you think you know exactly where your money is going when you die.

A man in handcuffs is sent to jail.

News • Nov 03

Connecticut man was named executor of an elderly man's estate. A judge just gave him over 5 years for stealing $2.1M

Before giving someone control of your money through power of attorney, make sure you understand the risks involved and the steps you can take to mitigate them.

A man in handcuffs is sent to jail.

News • Nov 03

Connecticut man was named executor of an elderly man's estate. A judge just gave him over 5 years for stealing $2.1M

Before giving someone control of your money through power of attorney, make sure you understand the risks involved and the steps you can take to mitigate them.

Worker Samuel Guerrero cuts a plot of community grass, used as a shared green space, at the Desert Color housing development in St. George, Utah.

Insurance • Nov 03

Forget Florida and California: Utah homeowners are now the most likely in America to be dropped by their insurer

Natural disasters due to climate change are one of the biggest reasons insurance companies leave a state, but rising inflation is also a key factor.

Worker Samuel Guerrero cuts a plot of community grass, used as a shared green space, at the Desert Color housing development in St. George, Utah.

Insurance • Nov 03

Forget Florida and California: Utah homeowners are now the most likely in America to be dropped by their insurer

Natural disasters due to climate change are one of the biggest reasons insurance companies leave a state, but rising inflation is also a key factor.

A woman holding an old woman's hand in a hospital bed

News • Nov 02

Indiana woman, 52, forged her mother's name on $170K home deed on the day she died, jury finds — she now faces 22 years

One of the best ways to prevent a future fight — or worse — after your death is to talk to your kids about your estate plan while you’re alive.

A woman holding an old woman's hand in a hospital bed

News • Nov 02

Indiana woman, 52, forged her mother's name on $170K home deed on the day she died, jury finds — she now faces 22 years

One of the best ways to prevent a future fight — or worse — after your death is to talk to your kids about your estate plan while you’re alive.

Brandenburg, Cottbus: An Amazon employee sorts packages onto shelves at the distribution center.

News • Nov 02

Amazon hired a caregiver who’d never had a traditional job. Two years later, she oversees its warehouse robots

Amazon has created more sustainable jobs for some workers, but a Senate report found that the company consistently values speed over preventing injuries.

Brandenburg, Cottbus: An Amazon employee sorts packages onto shelves at the distribution center.

News • Nov 02

Amazon hired a caregiver who’d never had a traditional job. Two years later, she oversees its warehouse robots

Amazon has created more sustainable jobs for some workers, but a Senate report found that the company consistently values speed over preventing injuries.

woman at computer

News • Oct 28

Should 60K Microsoft workers take the buyout and run? How to know when you should nab a package, or turn it down

“You have to put your CEO hat on and really determine, you know, is my department needed,” says CFP Malik S. Lee.

woman at computer

News • Oct 28

Should 60K Microsoft workers take the buyout and run? How to know when you should nab a package, or turn it down

“You have to put your CEO hat on and really determine, you know, is my department needed,” says CFP Malik S. Lee.

Misael Rosario during an interview with WFTV 9.

News • Oct 28

Florida man loses $6.5M in 15 fraudulent wire transfers over 3 days — and $4M is still missing

Avoiding fraud is getting harder, but by using the right tools and applying common sense, you can make it harder for your money to be targeted.

Digital wire transfer being accepted.

News • Oct 28

Florida man loses $6.5M in 15 fraudulent wire transfers over 3 days — and $4M is still missing

Avoiding fraud is getting harder, but by using the right tools and applying common sense, you can make it harder for your money to be targeted.

Kissimmee, Florida Mayor Jackie Espinosa

News • Oct 25

Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa arrested for allegedly misappropriating $50K in Covid relief grants

Fraud investigations can seem interminable, especially when it’s your tax dollars at stake.

Kissimmee, Florida Mayor Jackie Espinosa

News • Oct 25

Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa arrested for allegedly misappropriating $50K in Covid relief grants

Fraud investigations can seem interminable, especially when it’s your tax dollars at stake.

Two-panel image of Christie Culbreath with her lawyer (left) and the tax assessor (right).)

News • 10043 views

Video allegedly shows South Carolina tax assessor slapping woman who questioned her property tax bill

Suing multiple parties makes a case more complicated, but it can help ensure victims get the compensation they deserve.

Two-panel image of Christie Culbreath with her lawyer (left) and the tax assessor (right).)

News • 10043 views

Video allegedly shows South Carolina tax assessor slapping woman who questioned her property tax bill

Suing multiple parties makes a case more complicated, but it can help ensure victims get the compensation they deserve.

Google co-founder Larry Page.

News • Oct 24

Larry Page bought $173M in mansions to escape California's potential billionaire tax — possibly saving him nearly $15B

California's Proposition 40 would hit billionaires with a one-time 5% tax on their wealth in an effort to raise funds for healthcare and education.

Google co-founder Larry Page.

News • Oct 24

Larry Page bought $173M in mansions to escape California's potential billionaire tax — possibly saving him nearly $15B

California's Proposition 40 would hit billionaires with a one-time 5% tax on their wealth in an effort to raise funds for healthcare and education.

A two-column collage featuring former co-op owner Isabel Adon, left, and the building she calls home.

News • Oct 24

She bought into a Bronx decades ago, then had her ownership stripped away overnight. Now she’s part of a $60M settlement

Passing down a home to your kids is a huge goal for many people, but a New York City program makes that harder for residents of Black and Latino neighborhoods.

A two-column collage featuring former co-op owner Isabel Adon, left, and the building she calls home.

News • Oct 24

She bought into a Bronx decades ago, then had her ownership stripped away overnight. Now she’s part of a $60M settlement

Passing down a home to your kids is a huge goal for many people, but a New York City program makes that harder for residents of Black and Latino neighborhoods.

A customer looks at his phone as he sits with his cart at a Home Depot store.

News • Oct 21

Ohio men collected $68K in prepaid Home Depot orders — 50 different times — by posing as contractors, lawsuit claims

Online ordering is convenient, but it also exposes you to new types of fraud. It’s important to know how to protect yourself in advance.

A customer looks at his phone as he sits with his cart at a Home Depot store.

News • Oct 21

Ohio men collected $68K in prepaid Home Depot orders — 50 different times — by posing as contractors, lawsuit claims

Online ordering is convenient, but it also exposes you to new types of fraud. It’s important to know how to protect yourself in advance.

Kara Swisher, left, and Mark Cuban (right) speak into microphones

News • Oct 19

Kara Swisher says Mark Cuban is one of the 'good guy' billionaires, even though he 'started off as a massive d--------'

18% of Americans believe it’s immoral to be a billionaire. To understand why, just look at the billionaires people actually like.

Kara Swisher, left, and Mark Cuban (right) speak into microphones

News • Oct 19

Kara Swisher says Mark Cuban is one of the 'good guy' billionaires, even though he 'started off as a massive d--------'

18% of Americans believe it’s immoral to be a billionaire. To understand why, just look at the billionaires people actually like.

Filled up Amoco gas station with cars trying to take advantage of low gas, amid a price war in Georgia town.

News • Oct 17

Neighboring Georgia gas stations slash prices to 97 cents a gallon in all-out price war near Atlanta

With gas prices sky high, is it worth going out of your way to get cheaper gas?

Filled up Amoco gas station with cars trying to take advantage of low gas, amid a price war in Georgia town.

News • Oct 17

Neighboring Georgia gas stations slash prices to 97 cents a gallon in all-out price war near Atlanta

With gas prices sky high, is it worth going out of your way to get cheaper gas?

A photo of a man wine shopping

Life • Oct 17

California's wine glut means $150 bottles are hiding behind $30 private labels — here's how to find them

Finding the best wine for your budget is hard, but it might be easier right now if you stick to a private label.

A photo of a man wine shopping

Life • Oct 17

California's wine glut means $150 bottles are hiding behind $30 private labels — here's how to find them

Finding the best wine for your budget is hard, but it might be easier right now if you stick to a private label.

A man walks his dogs in the neighborhood at Utah Avenue and 42nd Ave North in Nashville.

News • Oct 16

Only 5 US housing markets still favor sellers — everywhere else, a record seller glut has buyers calling the shots

If you have the ability to pay for a house, now’s a great time to buy. Unfortunately, that’s harder than ever for many Americans.

A man walks his dogs in the neighborhood at Utah Avenue and 42nd Ave North in Nashville.

News • Oct 16

Only 5 US housing markets still favor sellers — everywhere else, a record seller glut has buyers calling the shots

If you have the ability to pay for a house, now’s a great time to buy. Unfortunately, that’s harder than ever for many Americans.

Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering trading cards are displayed on shelves at a Target store in Los Angeles.

News • Oct 15

Virginia police officer accused of shoplifting Magic trading cards from Target — while on duty and in uniform

Trading card games are subject to scalpers and theft due to their massive popularity, but publishers are fighting back.

Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering trading cards are displayed on shelves at a Target store in Los Angeles.

News • Oct 15

Virginia police officer accused of shoplifting Magic trading cards from Target — while on duty and in uniform

Trading card games are subject to scalpers and theft due to their massive popularity, but publishers are fighting back.

Winning may feel good now, but it could cost you later.

Retirement • Oct 11

52% of Gen Z investors have bet with funds they intended to invest — and their Social Security could pay the price

More than half of Gen Z investors have used money they planned to invest on sports betting instead. That comes with short- and long-term risks.

Winning may feel good now, but it could cost you later.

Retirement • Oct 11

52% of Gen Z investors have bet with funds they intended to invest — and their Social Security could pay the price

More than half of Gen Z investors have used money they planned to invest on sports betting instead. That comes with short- and long-term risks.

Dave Ramsey gives advice to a caller about her new relationship live from his radio show studio.

Managing Money • Oct 10

Dave Ramsey breaks his own prenup rule to warn a woman who left her last marriage with $1M and $10K in monthly payments

A good relationship is built on trust. Knowing when to bring up your finances with a new partner that has kids can be tricky.

Dave Ramsey gives advice to a caller about her new relationship live from his radio show studio.

Managing Money • Oct 10

Dave Ramsey breaks his own prenup rule to warn a woman who left her last marriage with $1M and $10K in monthly payments

A good relationship is built on trust. Knowing when to bring up your finances with a new partner that has kids can be tricky.

Explore more authors

We’re proud of our contributors, and can’t wait for you to meet them.

About Moneywise

About Moneywise

Contributor

Contributor

ABODO Author

Dana Sitar, CEPF®

Contributor