Biography
Consumer news reporter Gregory Karp covers consumer issues and writes the weekly Spending Smart column, which appears on Sundays. He has been a newspaper reporter and editor for 20 years. Before joining the Tribune, he was a personal finance and economy writer at The Morning Call in Allentown, Pa. He's covered everything from municipal news to a U.S. Senate race to the telecommunications industry. He's been a local news editor, online editor and business news editor at two papers. Karp is author of two books, "Living Rich by Spending Smart" and "The 1-2-3 Money Plan."
Summer travel? Think beyond airfare
May 17, 2013
As travelers start thinking about winging off to summer vacations, many could learn a few things from expert fliers to ensure they get the best value for their money when booking flights.
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Save your way to soft landing in emergencies
May 3, 2013
A basic tenet of personal finance that gets short shrift but can dramatically improve your money life is having a cash emergency fund.
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Driving down car debt commitment
April 20, 2013
As the weather heats up, so does action on car dealer lots and showroom floors. Many American consumers will be trying to reconcile their bank account balances with that delightful new-car smell, asking "how much car can I afford?"
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Retirees can convert time into money
March 29, 2013
Time and money are inexorably linked through our life stages.
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Simple auto repairs pay off
March 1, 2013
A common theme when trying to save money is "do it yourself," but many car owners are hesitant to take that advice and attempt basic maintenance and repairs on their vehicles.
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Is direct selling career for you?
February 19, 2013
How would you like to inexpensively start your own business that could, just maybe, lead to bigger money than you're making now? You could work for yourself and work from the comfort of your home.
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Financial guidance vs. folly
February 1, 2013
Whom can you trust for money advice?
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Balancing insurance needs
January 21, 2013
Insurance is not only a fundamental part of most consumers' financial lives, it's also among the most confusing.
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Credit scoring myths -- and the facts
January 4, 2013
Perhaps no area of personal finance is more confusing than credit. That's because some of the basic tenets of credit scoring seem illogical.
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A year of advice
December 21, 2012
Tiny print that tricks consumers, stuff that used to be free but isn't anymore and gadgets you can install on your car to reduce auto insurance premiums.
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School of smarter spending
December 7, 2012
As we scurry about during the highest of all shopping seasons, our money habits will be on full display. Yet the motivations behind how we spend are often hidden, stemming from our most ancient and fundamental human tendencies.
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School of smarter spending
December 7, 2012
As we scurry about during the highest of all shopping seasons, our money habits will be on full display. Yet the motivations behind how we spend are often hidden, stemming from our most ancient and fundamental human tendencies.
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Find truth in the fine print
November 26, 2012
Mouse print: It's the catch, the gotcha, the bait-and-switch.
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Loyalty programs or bust
November 9, 2012
Air-travel lovers take note: If you're not flying free much of the time or flying in luxury — first-class seating, airline club lounges, free checked bags — you're probably not taking advantage of sophisticated strategies to supersize your frequent-flier miles on the cheap.
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Safe driver? Consider telematics
October 26, 2012
Like in Lake Wobegon, the fictional place where all the children are above average, most people think they're above-average drivers.
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It pays to lay off the layaway
October 12, 2012
Layaway is illogical. Almost nobody should use it for holiday gift purchases this year.
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Tax-free toast to your health
September 28, 2012
Do you hate more money?
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A season to save
September 14, 2012
"To every thing there is a season," says a passage in the Bible and, much later, lyrics to the hit song, "Turn! Turn! Turn!" made famous by the 1960s folk-rock band The Byrds.
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Teaching kids about money
September 1, 2012
Older children want fancy cellphones, vehicles to get around and the latest video games and consoles. And, no doubt, some will want the new LeBron James basketball shoe by Nike that will reportedly sell for $315 per pair.
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Giving your trash a purpose
June 22, 2012
Plastic soda bottles, old carpet, out-of-date phone books and lint from the clothes dryer are typical items you might find in any American's trash or recycling bin. For some, however, the line between trash and treasure is fine. They are on America's bandwagon for repurposing or "upcycling."
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Get more mileage out of used bike
April 27, 2012
Like new cars, new bicycles depreciate dramatically the moment they leave the cycle shop. So buying used can be a better value for your money, especially if you can score a decent ride for less than $100.
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Drive auto insurance lower
November 4, 2011
The ideal way to save money is to exert effort once and automatically reap savings over and over again, every month. That's why examining your car insurance makes a lot of sense.
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Don't get taken for a ride on car repairs
September 2, 2011
For consumers, information is power. But smart shoppers can't be expected to be experts in all categories of buying. That's why one of the biggest benefits of using the Internet is to lift the veil of ignorance that leads to bad purchases.
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New sites, apps that might be worth consuming
June 3, 2011
Technology is a huge help for consumers to spend money smarter.
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Is it a good idea to lease?
May 31, 2011
Consumers who lease vehicles are confronted with a decision after a few years of ownership. Do I give back the car after the contractual lease period ends, or do I buy it?
