Kay Bell

Current

• Owner at SKB Editorial Services

Past

• Editor and Writer at Bankrate.com
• Government relations at Nestle
• Government relations at LTV

2 more...

Education

• Texas Tech University

Recommended

4 people have recommended Kay

Connections

176 connections

Industry

Writing and Editing

Websites

• My Portfolio
• My Blog

Kay Bell’s Summary

As owner of Austin, Texas-based SKB Editorial Services, I write articles that make money and taxes understandable so readers can make more money and pay fewer taxes.

My forte: Translating difficult subject matter into lively, readable copy.

My specialty: Everyone's favorite subject, taxes.

My passion: Helping people attain a better understanding and control of their money -- How to make more of it, save some of it and spend the rest wisely!

Although my business was established 2005, I've focused on personal finance, with a keen on taxes, for more than a decade.

"The Truth About Paying Fewer Taxes," my first solo book, was published by Financial Times Press in 2009. Part of FT Press' respected "Truth About" series, my book provides readers an overview of key tax laws and how they can make the tax code work in their favor.

I am Contributing Tax Editor at Bankrate.com, a pre-eminent personal finance Web site. The Bankrate job is a natural; I helped launch the site's tax coverage in October 1999.

I came to tax and financial writing after starting my journalism career at a West Texas daily newspaper. I took a career detour to Washington, D.C., where I spent almost two decades as a Congressional staffer and then moved to the private sector as a government relations specialist for two major corporations.

In addition to consumer-oriented copy for numerous respected media outlets, I also write about finances for corporate clients.

I'm also experienced and comfortable producing TV/radio and video copy. I've provided reports on tax and other personal finance topics for AP Radio and appeared on-air for expert interviews, live and taped, on various broadcast outlets. Most recently, I was a source for the NPR program Marketplace on 401(k) loans.

I also write the popular Don't Mess With Taxes blog, which has been named one of the best tax sites in the blogosphere. I also write the Bankrate.com tax blog, Eye on the IRS.

Kay Bell’s Specialties:

Sorting through legislative and financial language and translating it into English so that readers can understand and act on it in ways that improve their financial lives.

Kay Bell’s Experience

• Owner

  SKB Editorial Services

  (Writing and Editing industry)

  May 2005 — Present (4 years 8 months)

  I turn difficult subject matter into lively, readable copy. My focus? Money -- how to make more of it, save some of it and spend the rest wisely!
  
  I keep a keen eye on taxes, those things you hate, both federal and state, but can't totally escape! Through my articles, two blogs and book, "The Truth About Paying Fewer Taxes," I help you at least lessen the pain of doing your part to maintain a civilized society.
  
  Experienced financial writer, both in personal and business money matters.

Kay Bell’s Education

• Texas Tech University

  B.A. , Journalism, history , 1974 — 1978

  Activities and Societies:

  University Daily newspaper

Additional Information

Kay Bell’s Websites:

• My Portfolio
• My Blog

Kay Bell’s Groups:

Society of Professional Journalists, Association for Women in Communications, Society of American Business Writers and Editors, Writers' League of Texas, National Tax Association, Online News Association, Freelance Austin (president), Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, National Professional Advisory Board to the College of Mass Communications at Texas Tech University

•    Texas Tech Alumni
•    Texas Tech Group
•    MyVenturepad
•    Society of Professional Journalists
•    The Association for Women in Communications (AWC)
•    Small Business and Personal Finance
•    Texas Tech Alumni Association Networking Group
•    Association for Women in Communications/Austin Professional Chapter
•    FeedBlitz Publishers
•    NetworkInAustin.com
•    Writers' Showcase
•    501 Tech Club Austin
•    The Business Valuation, Forensic Accounting, & Litigation Support Group for Attorneys
•    Austin Women in New Media
•    Presenting Women

Kay Bell’s Honors:

Named in September 2009 to a three-year term on the National Professional Advisory Board to the College of Mass Communications at Texas Tech University.

Selected in November 2006 as a member of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP), a group of volunteers dedicated to helping the IRS identify ways to improve customer service and satisfaction. TAP is a Federal Advisory Committee established under the authority of the Department of the Treasury. Chosen by peers in 2009 as Chair of TAP's Area 5, which represents six mid-America states.