Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Curb inflation with 5 credit card perks. Also in the news: What you need to know about Apple’s Buy Now Pay Later feature, how to tell if free business software will cost you, and how one person ditched $20K in debt.

Curb Inflation With 5 Credit Card Perks
Your credit card may hold some valuable money-saving features or benefits, whether your goal is to pay off debt or save on costs.

What You Need to Know About Apple’s Buy Now, Pay Later Feature
Apple Pay Later divides your purchase into four equal installments with zero interest or fees, but there are risks to “buy now, pay later” plans.

How to Tell if Free Business Software Will Cost You
Free business software may have no upfront costs, but you could pay for it in other ways.

How I Ditched Debt: From $20K to $0 in Five Years and 8 Steps
I dug deep into a bag of tricks and tips to pay down debt. Here are the ones that made the most difference.

Thursday’s need-to-know money

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Today’s top story: 9 essential business tasks that take an hour or less. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on the cost of childcare, 6 mistakes to avoid when you open a new credit card account, and why managing your money starts with your emotions.

9 Essential Business Tasks That Take an Hour or Less
It only takes a few minutes to apply for an employer identification number, get a business insurance quote and more.

Smart Money Podcast: Nerdy Deep Dive: Why Is Child Care So Expensive?
This week’s episode is a Nerdy deep dive into the cost of child care.

6 Mistakes to Avoid When You Open a New Credit Card Account
Learning about a new card will help you optimize its benefits and avoid its gotchas.

Why Managing Your Money Starts With Your Emotions
Dealing with your feelings about money can clear away obstacles to making smart financial decisions.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Family travel insurance might save your 2022 trip budget. Also in the news: The case for flying on low-demand days, how an attorney in Seattle got their student loans forgiven, and a look at the antiquated dower rights.

Family Travel Insurance Might Save Your 2022 Trip Budget
Some travel insurance covers children and other travel companions.

The Case for Flying on Low-Demand Days
The rise of remote work hasn’t had much of an impact on when people fly, it turns out.

How I Got My Student Loans Forgiven: Attorney in Seattle
A fraught program gets temporary improvements.

‘Dower Rights’ Still Exist?
This antiquated law is a reminder to triple-check how marriage affects your property ownership.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money new

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Today’s top story: Should you use a reverse mortgage to pay for long-term care? Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on giving family and friends money, a look at the Metro affordability report for first-time buyers, and the easiest ways to make your cell phone bill cheaper.

Should You Use a Reverse Mortgage to Pay for Long-Term Care?
A reverse mortgage can provide a crucial stream of income to pay for long-term care costs, but there are some limitations.

Smart Money Podcast: Giving Family Money, and What’s Happening With Inflation
This week’s episode starts with a discussion about when and how to give your family and friends money.

First-Time Home Buyer Metro Affordability Report – Q1 2022
Two years into the pandemic-era housing market, affordability falls again, making a bleak first quarter for first-time home buyers in 2022.

The Easiest Ways to Make Your Cell Phone Bill Cheaper
Your attention span is already prisoner to your phone; your wallet doesn’t have to be, too.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to make sure you’re insured for summer activities. Also in the news: Alternatives to business loans, making a home inventory for insurance claims, and the best credit cards for people with bad credit.

How to Make Sure You’re Insured for Summer Activities
Having the right insurance coverage can help you enjoy summer fun with peace of mind.

Can’t Get a Business Loan? Consider These Alternatives
Consider online lenders, business grants or raising equity if you can’t get a business loan from a traditional lender.

How to Make a Home Inventory for Insurance Claims
Doing an inventory while your home is safe and sound makes it easier to file insurance claims later.

These Are the Best Credit Cards for People With Bad Credit
If you have bad credit (or no credit history), here are the best options for you.

Q&A: How to start an IRA for your new Gen Z college graduate

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Dear Liz: My son is about to graduate from college and, as a present, I want to use $10,000 to start an IRA for him. But which is better? A Roth or a standard IRA?

Answer: Congratulations to both of you! Starting a retirement account is a great idea, but you should be aware of the numerous rules that limit who can contribute and how much.

Let’s start with the annual contribution limit, which for 2022 is $6,000 for people under 50. (People 50 and older can make an additional $1,000 “catch up” contribution.) Also, your son needs to have earned income — such as wages, salary or self-employment income — that is at least equal to the size of the contribution you want to make. In other words, he needs to earn $6,000 for you to contribute $6,000. If he’s about to start a full-time job, that probably won’t be an issue, but if he’s not working, or working only part time before starting graduate school, that might further limit how much you can contribute.

For all of those reasons, a Roth IRA contribution may be best. He won’t get an upfront tax deduction but withdrawals in retirement will be tax free. He can withdraw Roth contributions at any time without taxes or penalties, so the Roth can serve as a de facto emergency fund. Obviously, it’s better to leave the money alone to grow, but having access to the cash could be helpful while he builds a regular emergency fund.