Carrie Johnson, Extension personal and family finance specialist and associate professor of human development and family science, is featured in a recent WalletHub.com article.

Johnson was one of 33 experts from across the country who were interviewed for an article titled “No Annual Fee Credit Cards.”

“Finding a credit card with no annual fee may be one goal of a consumer looking to get a new card. However, it isn’t the only item one should consider when comparing cards,” Johnson said in the story. "There may be reasons that having a credit card with an annual fee is a smart financial decision. For example, by paying an annual fee the consumer may be eligible for other benefits. These benefits may include cash-back rewards or travel perks. Do a little math when considering a credit card with an annual fee to see if the benefits will ‘pay you back’ throughout the year. Determine how much you need to spend to make up for the upfront cost of the annual fee.”

Johnson also said some people look for no annual fee cards if they are trying to build credit.

Johnson joined NDSU’s faculty in 2016. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Dakota State University, Madison, South Dakota; master’s degree at South Dakota State University, Brookings; and her doctorate in family and consumer science education at Iowa State University, Ames.

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