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: Would student loan refinancing pay off for you? Also in the news: How store credit cards can leave you unprotected, the newest workplace perk that looks a lot like a payday loan, and the best (and worst) tippers in America.

Would Student Loan Refinancing Pay Off for You?
The type of loan you have matters.

How Store Credit Cards Can Leave You Unprotected
Fewer protections could leave you vulnerable.

The newest workplace perk looks a lot like a payday loan
Checking the fine print.

The best (and worst) tippers in America
Not a good look, Millennials.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The 6 big retirement mistakes and one way to avoid them. Also in the news: Decode your credit card’s fine print like a pro, use caution when shopping with buy now/pay later, and avoid ATM fees by getting cash back at the store.

The 6 Big Retirement Mistakes — and One Way to Avoid Them

Decode Your Credit Card’s Fine Print Like a Pro
Terms you need to know.

Buying Now and Paying Later? Handle With Care
Proceed with caution.

Avoid ATM Fees By Getting Cash Back at the Store
Skip a stop and the fees.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to buy a house without help from your family. Also in the news: What Walmart’s upgraded cards have in store for shoppers, the cheapest ways to fly to Disney World using points and miles, and how to boost your savings post-Fed interest rates cuts.

How to Buy a House Without Help From Your Family
Doing it on your own.

What Walmart’s Upgraded Cards Have In Store for Shoppers
Better perks are coming.

Cheapest Ways to Fly to Disney World Using Points and Miles
How to play the rewards game.

The Fed just cut interest rates. Here’s how to boost your savings
Time to shop around.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How college students can make the most of their summer earnings. Also in the news: 7 tips for becoming an ethical shopper, how store credit cards can leave you unprotected, and when it’s ok to leave a bad tip.

College Students, Make the Most of Your Summer Earnings
Taking care of Present You and Future You.

7 Tips for Becoming an Ethical Shopper
Matching your purchases with your values.

How Store Credit Cards Can Leave You Unprotected
Fewer protections than major credit cards.

When It’s OK to Leave a Bad Tip
Sometimes bad tips are justified.

The 6 biggest retirement mistakes, and 1 defense

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One of the biggest retirement mistakes you can make is not realizing what you don’t know.

I regularly hear from people in or near retirement who misunderstand how Social Security works, dramatically underestimate life expectancies or fail to plan for big expenses, such as long-term care or taxes.

These aren’t folks looking for advice. They’ve already made up their minds and want to argue about financial planning precepts, such as when to take Social Security or how much retirement is likely to cost. But what they think they know just isn’t so.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why people don’t get objective financial advice before they retire and how to change course.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Car buyers could save thousands with just an hour of research. Also in the news: Home affordability is boxing out Americans who dream of relocating, the 15 best and worst US cities for young families, and why you should plan now to deal with holiday credit card debt.

Car Buyers Could Save $2,000 (or More) With an Hour of Research
60 minutes could save you thousands.

Survey: Home Affordability Boxes Out Americans Who Dream of Relocating
Almost 25% of Americans would like to relocate.

The 15 best—and worst—US cities for young, growing families
Is the West Coast the best coast?

Make a plan now to deal with holiday credit card debt. Here are four tips to follow.
The holidays are right around the corner.