Ask Liz Weston - Personal Finance Columnist

January 30, 2015 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Credit report red flags that only your lender can see. Also in the news: What to do when you receive a windfall, how financial literacy can help fight domestic violence, and important tax info for freelancers.

4 Credit Report Red Flags You Don’t See – But Your Lender Does
Secret warning signs only your lender can see.

3 Things to Do When a Bunch of Money Falls in Your Lap
Think twice before buying the sports car.

How Financial Literacy Can Fight Domestic Violence
Knowledge is power.

25 Financial Terms Everyone Should Know
There may be a quiz!

Important Tax Basics for Freelancers
Sorting through the confusion.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Reports, domestic violence, financial literacy, financial vocabulary, freelancing, red flags, tax breaks, windfalls

January 29, 2015 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

January tune-up: Your paperwork

Is anyone else drowning in paperwork? I try to “prevent, prune and process,” but paper has a way of multiplying on its own. Here’s my game plan for reducing paper clutter: Prevent. I’ve signed up for the Direct Marketing Association’s opt out list to reduce junk mail and I use Catalog Choice to cut down […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Catalog Choice, DMA, documents, IRS, opt-out, paperwork, records, scanner, shredder, Taxes

January 29, 2015 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How a secret email address could protect you from identity theft. Also in the news: How to beat the banks, how to raise money-savvy kids, and 21 great personal finance tips. The Simple Email Trick That Could Protect Your Identity The benefits of a secret email address. Where the Banks Earn, You […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: banking tips, Identity Theft, kids and money, savings tips

January 28, 2015 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to boost your emergency fund. Also in the news: What you need to worry about for retirement besides money, why you should worry about medical identity theft, and deciding when it’s time to dump your credit card. 11 Ways to Boost Your Emergency Fund How to prepare for unexpected expenses. 5 […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Cards, emergency fund, grocery savings, medical identity theft, Retirement

January 27, 2015 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Tax breaks for retirement savers. Also in the news: Surprising tax complaints, how to find cheap airfare, and becoming comfortable with investing using a mock portfolio. 10 tax breaks for retirement savers How to minimize the taxes on your savings. The Most Surprising Tax Complaint in America No, it’s not slow refunds. […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Identity Theft, Investing, Retirement, super bowl, tax breaks, tax complaints, Taxes, travel

January 26, 2015 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How Generation X should plan for retirement. Also in the news: Factors that affect your Social Security benefits, five things that can ruin your tax refund, and important financial steps widows and widowers need to take. Retirement planning steps for Generation X Time’s running out. 3 Factors That Affect Your Social Security […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: generation x, IRA, Roth IRA, social security. retirement, tax refunds, widowers, widows

January 26, 2015 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Q&A: Keeping investments in one brokerage

Dear Liz: I recently retired at 56 and am receiving a pension. My wife is set to retire next year at 56 and will also receive a pension. I chose to leave my 401(k) in my employer’s plan but am planning to consolidate it with my wife’s 457 and four 403(b) accounts once she retires. […]

Filed Under: Estate planning, Investing, Q&A, Retirement Tagged With: Estate Planning, Investing, q&a, Retirement

January 26, 2015 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Q&A: Could reducing your credit limit hurt your credit score?

Dear Liz: I asked one of my credit card issuers to increase my credit line from $2,000 to $5,000 but was turned down. The reason given was that I have too high credit limits from my other cards. Combined, I have about $100,000 in available credit, although I’ve never used more than $15,000 at any […]

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Q&A Tagged With: Credit Cards, Credit Scores, q&a

January 23, 2015 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to get organized for tax season. Also in the news: Credit report myths, the coverage perks hiding in your insurance policy, and how your credit card can be stolen without you noticing. Getting Organized for Tax Preparation Get your folders ready. Nine credit report myths you need to know Time for […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Reports, insurance policies., mythbusting, Retirement, tax preparation

January 22, 2015 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to avoid balance transfer mistakes. Also in the news: Saving money as an empty nester, credit cards rewards that help the environment, and how you could be accidentally improving your credit score. 5 Balance Transfer Credit Card Mistakes You Can Avoid Pay attention to time limits. A Guide to Saving Money […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: balance transfers, credit card rewards, empty nesters, improving your credit, salary negotiating

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