Julia Glum

Julia Glum: A Chronicler of Modern Financial Realities

We've followed Julia Glum's work as she evolved from a breaking news reporter to one of personal finance journalism's most distinctive voices. Her career embodies the shift toward service-oriented financial storytelling that empowers readers to navigate complex systems.

Career Evolution: From Campus Newsrooms to National Platforms

• University of Florida Beginnings: Cut her teeth as editor-in-chief of The Independent Florida Alligator, the largest student newspaper in America
• Early Career Grind: Reported on education and breaking news for Newsweek and IBT, developing rapid-response journalism muscles
• Money Magazine Era: Joined Money in 2018, rising from staff writer to managing editor while launching the influential Dollar Scholar newsletter

Defining Works: Financial Journalism with Generational Lens

• "Should I Buy or Finance My Next Cell Phone?"

This 2025 piece exemplifies Glum's approach to dissecting everyday financial decisions. Through personal narrative and expert interviews, she demystifies phone financing contracts while exposing how payment plans manipulate consumer psychology. The article's viral success stemmed from its balance of data (comparing carrier rates across 36-month periods) with relatable generational references to carrier store anxieties.

"Breaking up that big payment into lots of little ones has both pros and cons... Financing a phone spreads the cost over time but risks normalizing perpetual debt."

• "The Rising Cost of Eggs"

When egg prices surged 15% in early 2025, Glum traced the supply chain from avian flu outbreaks to grocery store refrigeration units. Her reporting stood out for connecting agricultural policy to household budgeting, complete with substitution cost analyses comparing egg protein alternatives.

• "12 Ways Abortion Bans Hurt Finances"

This 2022 investigation broke new ground in quantifying reproductive policy's economic impacts. Glum collaborated with healthcare economists to model travel costs, lost wages, and childcare expenses - creating one of the first frameworks for understanding abortion access as a financial health issue.

Pitch Guidance: Aligning with Glum's Editorial Mission

Focus on Financial Innovation for Young Adults

Glum prioritizes stories about emerging financial tools/services reshaping millennial/Gen Z money management. Successful pitches might explore:

• Fintech apps addressing student loan repayment
• Employer benefits adapting to gig economy workers
• State programs for first-time homebuyers under 40

Her Dollar Scholar newsletter (160k+ subscribers) specifically seeks actionable advice for readers early in their financial journeys.

Tax Policy Through Human Stories

As Money's tax coverage lead, Glum looks for case studies illustrating IRS policy changes. A recent piece followed a freelance writer navigating new 1099-K thresholds. Ideal pitches combine personal narratives with regulatory expertise, particularly around:

• Gig economy taxation
• State tax credit programs
• IRS modernization efforts

Avoid Abstract Market Analysis

While Glum covers macroeconomic trends, she anchors them in consumer impacts. Pitches about Fed rate hikes should focus on credit card APR changes rather than bond market fluctuations. Similarly, inflation stories must connect to specific purchasing decisions like grocery budgeting strategies.

Awards and Industry Recognition

• 2024 National Tax Coverage Award: Won for investigative series on IRS free filing program adoption barriers
• Media Excellence in Personal Finance (2023): Recognized for Dollar Scholar's innovative use of memes/gifs to explain Roth IRA rules
• 2022 SABEW Best in Business: Honored for pandemic-era reporting on stimulus check distribution disparities