This week’s money news

This week’s top story: These states plan to phase out gas car sales. In other news: How to help your loved one navigate the costs of dementia care, weekly mortgage rates are up, but prices are the real villain, and new airline requirements.

These States Plan to Phase Out Gas Car Sales
California, New Jersey and Virginia are among at least a dozen states that plan to wind down gas vehicle sales over the next decade.

How to Help Your Loved One Navigate the Costs of Dementia Care
Care costs can be overwhelming for those living with dementia — here’s how you can support them.

Weekly Mortgage Rates Are Up, but Prices Are the Real Villain
Mortgage rates continued to rise for the week ending April 25.

New Airline Requirements: Cash Refunds and Transparent Fees
The Biden administration is regulating airline junk fees and refunds — here’s what it means for travelers.

Q&A: Remarriage wouldn’t affect her divorced survivor benefit if she’s over 60

Dear Liz: I’m a CPA and getting conflicting answers from the Social Security office about a case I’m working on. Both clients are 70 and they’re considering legal separation or divorce. She took Social Security at 62 and receives about $1,500 a month before deductions. He started Social Security at 70 and receives about $4,600. […]

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Q&A: Managing mortgage debt in retirement

Dear Liz: My husband and I are Gen Xers who are renting. We have enough cash from the sale of our last home to make a small down payment on another. If we moved to a more affordable community, we could manage the payments, but it would still be a stretch. That scenario would not […]

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This week’s money news

This week’s top story: 8 ways to personalize your rental and get your deposit back. In other news: Life insurance for small business, how couples can share the mental load of money management, and how to plan for retirement. 8 Ways to Personalize Your Rental — and Get Your Deposit Back Cosmetic upgrades can help personalize […]

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How to escape from a money rut

Sometimes, climbing out of a money rut starts with a pep talk — to yourself. “I like affirmations and speaking out loud,” says Giovanna Gonzalez, a financial educator and author of “Cultura & Cash.” Her favorite affirmations are statements like, “I am not a reflection of my money mistakes,” “I can improve my financial situation,” […]

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Q&A: Can my credit score really be marred over $20?

Dear Liz: I have had great credit for years. Late last year, I somehow overlooked a $20 payment due from one of my credit cards. My score dropped by more than 50 points, from about 815 to 765. I quickly paid the $20 and contacted the issuer. They told me they were required by law to […]

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Q&A: Complicated condo question

Dear Liz: You recently answered a question about gifting a condo. I understood the first part of your answer: If the person receiving the gift lives in the condo for two of the last five years, then there is no capital gains exposure. The second part of your answer is a little confusing to me. You […]

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This week’s money news

This week’s top story: What student loan borrowers should know if MOHELA is your servicer. In other news: Pregnant workers must get time off for birth, abortion, what not to do during mortgage preapproval, and 5 questions to ask when helping an older parent with money. MOHELA Senate Hearing: What Student Loan Borrowers Should Know If […]

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Q&A: Handling family property, when to take retirement and building credit history

Dear Liz: My wife and I plan to leave our house to our four children. My concern is that one may want to sell and split the proceeds; another may want to keep the house, rent it and divide up the income; and of course there’s always the real possibility that one may want to […]

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Q&A: Waiting to apply for retirement benefit or not

Dear Liz: I am recently divorced but was married for 20 years. My ex is 12 years older and he waited until 70 to start collecting Social Security benefits. I am 62 and self-employed. My retirement benefit is greater than half of his (but not by much). It is my understanding that after his death […]

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