Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Should you use your emergency fund during the COVID-19 outbreak? Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on the Coronavirus relief checks, why you should join a money community for financial support, and 13 tips to help protect your online financial information. Should You Use Your Emergency Fund […]

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Q&A: Taxes when inheriting a home

Dear Liz: My sister recently passed, and I acquired her home, which I’m selling (it’s now in escrow). I was looking at state tax forms for real estate transactions, and there is nowhere to check for a person who was given a home through death. Does this mean it is taxable? I was told since […]

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Q&A: Withdrawing after-tax retirement funds

Dear Liz: I have been contributing to retirement accounts for many years, starting back in the early 1980s. Back then, there were no deductions for contributions. I made about $50,000 of after-tax contributions, meaning I’ve already paid taxes on that money. Later I switched to before-tax contributions. Now that I am retired and approaching 65, […]

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Q&A: Coronavirus aid law lets you more easily tap retirement savings. That doesn’t mean you should

Dear Liz: You recently mentioned that a person can withdraw money from their 401(k) and spread the taxes over three years. If 401(k) is paid back, they can amend their tax returns to get those taxes refunded. Because of some major home repairs, I asked our accountant about this before we proceeded. He said that […]

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Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to get cash from your life insurance policy. Also in the news: How to manage your credit score during a crisis, how to tell if your financial advisor is really helping you, and how much a credit card cash advance will really cost you. How to Get Cash From Your Life […]

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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Global Entry travelers now have an 18-month renewal grace period. Also in the news: College students can get more aid during the Coronavirus crisis, 4 ways to travel cheaply during an economic downturn, and choose a student loan repayment program with this calculator. Global Entry Travelers Now Have an 18-Month Renewal Grace […]

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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to do if you can’t pay for insurance due to Coronavirus. Also in the news: 3 effective ways to get airlines and hotels to bend their rules, a new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on spring cleaning your finances, and what the CARES Act means for public service student loan forgiveness. […]

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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to know before accepting COVID-19 credit card relief. Also in the news: You can now get free weekly credit reports, how to get money to family and friends in a crisis, and what your small business should do with its Paycheck Protection Program loan. What to Know Before Accepting COVID-19 Credit […]

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Is your financial adviser really helping you?

Stock market crashes don’t just test investors’ mettle. Abrupt downturns also can reveal what kind of financial adviser you have. Some people will discover, to their horror, that they’ve been dealing with outright crooks. Ponzi schemes are among the cons that fall apart when markets do, as investors try to pull their money out and […]

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Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Cancel your travel credit card due to Coronavirus? Ask for a retention offer first. Also in the news: What to do when a family member or friend needs money, and before opening a new credit line, check for this restriction. Cancel Your Travel Credit Card Due to Coronavirus? Ask for a Retention […]

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