Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Some student loan borrowers are 19 months closer to forgiveness. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on pandemic debt and moving costs, buying life insurance for children, and when you’ll receive the next economic stimulus check. Smart Money Podcast: Pandemic Debt and Moving Costs The economy’s […]

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Q&A: They paid off the mortgage rather than save for retirement. Now what?

Dear Liz: My wife and I aggressively paid down our mortgage and now have it paid off, but we don’t have much saved for retirement. I make about $90,000 a year and will receive a teacher’s pension that will replace between 30% and 60% of that (depending on what option we choose) when I retire […]

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Q&A: When credit scores are fine

Dear Liz: I was once told that the reason my credit score wasn’t higher was an insufficient credit history. Now I am doing what you have recommended by charging a monthly security alarm service to one credit card, a weekly church donation to another and satellite TV to a third. All are paid off each […]

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Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to handle debt in an unequal recovery. Also in the news: 6 ways to save at the pump, worrying about the right thing with estate taxes, and 4 in 10 Americans are struggling financially one year after the pandemic began. How to Handle Debt in an Unequal Recovery Navigating the K-shaped […]

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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Worrying about the right thing with estate taxes. Also in the news: 3 ways to get socially distanced tax prep this year, 5 sneaky things COVID-19 might do to your tax bill, and new rules for self-employed and gig workers applying for PPP loans. Worry About the Right Thing With Estate Taxes […]

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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Unwelcome income tax surprises may await those with debt. Also in the news: Knowing what’s in your EFT, 10 factors affecting COVID era travel in 2021, and why home buyers shouldn’t skip the inspection. Unwelcome Tax Surprises May Await Those With Debt Americans carrying debt can also end up owing more taxes […]

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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What free college might actually look like. Also in the news: How to get rid of credit card debt by opening another card, how to fix credit report errors, and how to figure out the size of your next stimulus check. What Free College Might Actually Look Like Separating fact from fiction. […]

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Worry about the right thing with estate taxes

Death and taxes may be the only certainties in life, but death taxes are only a remote possibility for most people. The vast majority of Americans won’t ever have or give away enough to owe estate or gift taxes. Far more people could be affected if a tax break that benefits heirs is eliminated. While […]

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Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: No flood insurance? Here’s how to get help. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast about saving on gas and 401(k) limits, 3 ways to get socially distanced tax prep help this year, and how to protect yourself from Facebook and Instagram ad scams. No Flood Insurance? […]

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Q&A: Retirement saving after layoff

Dear Liz: My husband and I are both in our early 50s and have been contributing the full amount to each of our 401(k) plans, plus the catch-up amounts since we turned 50. I was laid off in February 2020 and had only contributed $3,000. I had assumed I’d get a new job quickly, but […]

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