Our Expert Contributors are a select group of creators, experts and thought leaders who share first-person perspectives on finance and its intersections with our lives.
Meet our expertsTed Rossman is a senior industry analyst at Bankrate, specializing in coverage of the economy, credit cards and banking. He started as a credit card analyst, helping consumers maximize rewards and get out of debt, and has expanded into other areas. Ted enjoys helping people become smarter shoppers and invest for their futures, and he’s still an avid credit card rewards chaser. He regularly shares his advice with major media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, The Today Show and CNBC.
Ted has been with Bankrate since 2011. He started in the company’s award-winning public relations department and made the move to the other side of the camera in 2018. Ted’s childhood dream was to be a sports announcer, so he believes that going on TV to talk about money is the next best thing.
Ted has a keen interest in helping people answer their pressing financial questions (you can send him yours via email). He believes that a solid personal finance strategy doesn’t need to be overly complicated. For example, setting a realistic budget, making automatic savings and investing contributions and avoiding high-cost debt will serve you very well, whether you’re planning for retirement, buying a house or helping to send your kids to college.
When he’s not earning cash back on his everyday spending, Ted enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters, and he’s still a big sports fan.
Ever since he signed up for his first credit card way back in 2003, Ted Rossman has been an avid user of cash back credit cards. In a typical year, he earns close to $3,000 in rewards from purchases he and his family would have made anyway. He’s especially focused on getting money back at the grocery store, which represents the largest credit card spending category for his growing family. Ted enjoys helping other people identify ways to earn more and spend less, including credit card rewards, debt reduction strategies and more.
Being able to successfully manage your money is one of the most important things you can learn. Unfortunately, most people don’t acquire enough financial knowledge at school or at home. My goal is to help everyday people understand credit better and use these skills to improve their financial lives.
— Ted Rossman
The GM Rewards Mastercard is a surprising contender for best cash back credit card, assuming you own a GM vehicle (or are open to buying one in the future).
The Chase Freedom Flex hasn’t been as lucrative for my family in 2025 as it was in 2024.
Nearly a decade after its debut, the Chase Sapphire Reserve gets a makeover.
While credit card delinquencies remain elevated, they aren’t as concerning as what we’re seeing in the student and auto loan markets.
Americans generally aren’t feeling good about the economy, but they’re spending anyway.
Surcharging is an increasingly common business practice. Some companies are more transparent than others.
Credit card balances fell in the first quarter of 2025, as they typically do, although there’s a good chance further increases lie ahead.
The buy now, pay later industry is changing rapidly – and becoming more credit card-like over time.
