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What transforms a reluctant financial reporter into an award-winning personal finance journalist with nearly a decade at one of America's top business networks? For Jessica Dickler, CNBC's veteran personal finance writer, it was the seismic economic shift of the Great Recession that changed everything.
"When the economy skidded and became the Great Recession, unemployment spiked, people lost their homes, their jobs and then all of a sudden, everything was a money story," Dickler reveals in this illuminating conversation. With two Peabody Awards, a DuPont Columbia Award, and a Fleck Award for financial literacy education to her name, Dickler's journey from political science major to trusted financial voice offers fascinating insights into both journalism and personal finance.
The mother of two doesn't just write about financial challenges—she lives them. Her reporting on working mothers struggling with childcare costs while advancing careers resonates deeply with readers because it mirrors her own balancing act. "I model my schedule after the kids' schedule," she explains, working a 7-3 timeline that allows her to be present for family responsibilities while maintaining professional excellence. This authenticity has helped her build a devoted audience at CNBC, where her three-month temporary position extended to nearly a decade.
Despite dramatic changes in journalism and increasing online hostility toward reporters, Dickler remains steadfastly committed to quality reporting. "What hasn't changed is the commitment to present stories based in data, with vetted sourcing, that help inform people's decisions every day about money," she notes. Her fundamental financial advice—spend less than you earn, avoid credit card debt, save consistently, invest wisely—offers a beacon of clarity in an increasingly complex financial landscape.
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.

You can follow her work here: https://www.cnbc.com/jessica-dickler/

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