Get smart with your money
Dear Liz: I have an 834 credit score, with three credit cards. I don’t carry debt or pay annual fees. I’m considering closing one of my cards and replacing it with one available through my credit union. Is it worth the hassle? Answer: Closing accounts won’t help your credit scores and may hurt them. If […]
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Dear Liz: I am the sole owner of a condo. I am getting ready to realize a dream of mine by traveling around the world. I will be gone indefinitely. Thus, I am thinking about renting out my condo. I know I get a write-off for repairs on the unit, cleaning supplies, etc. What about […]
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This week’s top story: April mortgage rates will be stuck in neutral as inflation idles. In other news: Certain borrowers should consolidate their federal student loans by April 30 to get forgiveness, defaulting on a car loan, and what a Kroger-Albertsons merger could mean for grocery shoppers. April Mortgage Rates Will Be Stuck in Neutral as […]
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Dear Liz: I recently applied online for a credit card and was rejected, as my credit reports were frozen. I thawed them and applied again, only to be declined again. I received a letter stating that the rejection was because I have no installment credit history. I have no debt, credit scores in the mid-800s and […]
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Dear Liz: The value of our car, furniture and personal items is well below the $185,000 that currently triggers probate in California. We no longer own real estate. Am I correct that investment and bank accounts that have designated beneficiaries do not count toward the probate limit? Answer: Yes. (Your car doesn’t count either, by the way.) […]
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Financial stress is so common that certified financial planner Katie Lindquist says almost every client she has tells her they are feeling it. “They don’t know what they should be doing with their money, and they feel like they should know. They feel shame around their money habits, which is a huge driving force of […]
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This week’s top story: 5 tips for avoiding tax scams in 2024. In other news: How a travel credit card can be your ticket to big savings, what to know when applying life insurance for transgender people, and government shutdown threat finally put to rest for now. 5 Tips for Avoiding Tax Scams in 2024 If […]
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