Helaine Olen

HELAINE OLEN is a columnist at Slate, where she writes “The Bills,” a column focusing on the intersection of money, life, economics, society and politics, as well as the popular biweekly advice feature, “Ask the Bills.” She’s the author of the critically acclaimed and award winning book “Pound Foolish: The Dark Side of the Personal Finance Industry” and the co-author (with Harold Pollack) of “The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to be Complicated.” She also contributes to Inc.’s small business coverage, and writes the magazine’s personal finance column, “Spread the Wealth.” Known for her wit, humor, easy to understand explanations and keen insight, Olen is a frequent media presence and public speaker, and has been a featured guest on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and took part in the Emmy award winning “Frontline” documentary, “The Retirement Gamble.” Business Insider calls Olen one of the 50 Women Who Are Changing the World, and she’s been deemed one of the Top 30 Most Influential People in Personal Finance and Wealth. Olen got her start writing about money at the Los Angeles Times, where she wrote and edited the popular “Money Makeover” feature. @helaineolen