Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Should I pay for my hotel using cash, points or both? Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on fake reviews and saving too much, 5 travel writers draft their favorite airlines, and where to get relief if there isn’t a second stimulus check. Should I Pay for […]

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Q&A: Finding affordable financial planning

Dear Liz: I’ve read your advice and that of many others to only use a fee-only financial planner. However, we’ve never felt like we could afford that expense, and many of the planners I’ve found wouldn’t take accounts as small as ours anyway. We’re in our mid-40s and feel like we’ve wasted many years waiting […]

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Q&A: Death, taxes and home sales: How to handle the mixture

Dear Liz: My wife and I bought our house 61 years ago in Southern California. The wife passed away seven years ago, and I became the sole owner. If I should die owning the house, I know my daughter will inherit and her tax basis will be the value of the house on that date. […]

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Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What Biden on Trump could do for your student loans. Also in the news: Is moving now your best financial pros and cons, how to get a personal loan without perfect credit, and what to do when you can’t afford food. What Biden or Trump Could Do for Your Student Loans The […]

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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: When debt relief does more harm than good. Also in the news: New ways to get more money for your old car, back-to-school tips for avoiding child identity theft, and the top sacrifices made by ‘super savers’. When Debt Relief Does More Harm Than Good The behavior has to change, too. New […]

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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Should students gamble on an Income Share Agreement? Also in the news: How to make a debt-free switch to cashless payments, 4 home insurance pitfalls to avoid during hurricane season, and see how much home you can afford with the 30/30/30 rule. Should Students Gamble on an Income Share Agreement? An ISA […]

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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to adjust your school supplies budget for the online classroom. Also in the news: 5 things to do with all that money you haven’t been spending the past few months, is moving now the best financial move for Millennials, and how COVID-19 may impact applying for financial aid. How to adjust […]

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Q&A: A felony doesn’t preclude you from Social Security benefits

Dear Liz: If someone has a felony, is it true they cannot claim Social Security retirement benefits? If so, what is the best option: a Roth IRA or a brokerage account? How do they get started without a lot of money? Answer: A felony does not prevent you from claiming Social Security in the future […]

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Q&A: Backdoor Roth IRA contributions

Dear Liz: You mentioned in a previous column that a backdoor Roth contribution could be expensive if you have a large pretax IRA. I was in that situation, and opted to first roll my IRA into my employer’s 401(k). I then made a nondeductible contribution to a new IRA and shortly afterward converted it to […]

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Q&A: 2020 taxes bring another stimulus shot

Dear Liz: My 2019 tax return was electronically submitted May 11 and my income was low enough to qualify for a stimulus payment. I got my refund at the end of July but was told I wouldn’t get a stimulus check because my 2018 income was too high. The IRS agent on the phone said […]

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