Ask Liz Weston

May 22, 2023 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

This week’s money news

This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on more money hot takes, and leaving your job. In other news: How businesses can navigate digital options, forgiveness, forbearance and other student loan changes to know, and what concierge medicine is.

Smart Money Podcast: More Money Hot Takes, and Leaving Your Job
This week’s episode starts with a round of Money Hot Takes.

The Tip Jar Is Dead. How Businesses Can Navigate Digital Options
Setting up tipping screens is a delicate balance. Here’s how businesses are making the most out of the new norm.

Forgiveness, Forbearance and Other Student Loan Changes to Know
Be proactive to get ahead of major federal student loan changes.

What Is Concierge Medicine? (And Should You Consider It?)
Less waiting, more access, longer visits — find out if concierge medicine is right for you.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: business digital options, concierge medicine, Smart Money podcast, Student Loans, tip, tipping

May 22, 2023 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Q&A: Roth IRA or traditional IRA? Here’s why one might be a better choice for young workers

Dear Liz: My mid-20s nephews and I discussed financial planning for them. After recommending they check with their employers for a 401(k) or equivalent program, we spoke about traditional versus Roth IRAs. Would younger investors benefit more from a Roth IRA because the length of time the money would be invested is so long that the eventual tax-free […]

Filed Under: Investing, Q&A, Retirement Savings

May 22, 2023 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Q&A: Vehicle insurance coverage limits

Dear Liz: You recently answered a question from someone who lent a van to a friend for more than a year. You mentioned the borrower “may have benefited from free insurance coverage if you continued to pay those premiums.” Some insurance companies limit the time they extend coverage when a car is driven by someone other than the […]

Filed Under: Insurance, Q&A

May 8, 2023 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

How to make summer camp more affordable

To create a fun but affordable summer for her daughters, ages 11 and 13, Flossie McCowald plans out camps well in advance. The Pennsylvania resident snags early bird discounts, takes advantage of a church-based sleepaway camp that offers scholarships and leverages sibling discounts. “Every little bit helps,” says McCowald, who is the founder of SuperMomHacks.com, […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: affordable summer, summer camp

May 8, 2023 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

This week’s money news

This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on the future of college debt, and rent vs. buy (with a dog). In other news: Record levels of debt, how trusts can support loved ones with mental illness, and Fed has ‘moved a long way’ but doesn’t promise rate hike pause. Smart Money Podcast: The Future of College […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: college debt, federal funds rate, inflation, Smart Money podcast, trusts

May 8, 2023 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Q&A: This spouse wants to keep an inheritance secret from the other spouse. Here’s a better idea

Dear Liz: A good friend is leaving me money from her IRA after she dies. I have asked that the gift be designated as “sole and separate property” to me. As I am married and file joint state and federal taxes, can this money be kept separate for my use only? I prefer that my spouse […]

Filed Under: Couples & Money, Inheritance, Q&A, Taxes

May 1, 2023 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

This week’s money news

This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on your Social Security benefits, and tax efficient retirement investing. In other news: Mortgage rates could slip lower in May, if a brokerage sweep account is a good place to earn interest or not, and inflation maybe starting to behave. Smart Money Podcast: Your Social Security Benefits, and Tax […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: brokerage sweep account, inflation, May 2023 mortgage rates, retirement investing, Smart Money podcast, Social Security benefits

Search