Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How to get the most from your credit card rewards program. Also in the news: What to consider before moving, when to work with a financial adviser, and why low interest rates on student loans are becoming a thing of past.

Maximizing Credit Card Rewards: 5 Ways to Earn Big
Making your credit card work for you.

What Every Retiree Should Consider Before a Move
Consider these before buying boxes and duct tape.

Personal Financial Planning: Do It Yourself or Go With a Pro?
Is it time to bring in the big guns?

Federal Student Loan Interest Rates Heading Up
The days of low interest rates are a thing of the past.

How Much Does a $20K Car Loan Really Cost You?
Buckle up.

Money rules of thumb: College savings edition

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailA college degree today is what a high school diploma was 60 years ago, a college consultant told me. Meaning: the bare minimum for staying in the middle class.

There will be exceptions, of course, but your kid is unlikely to be one of them. So here, in my ongoing “rules of thumb” series (previous editions include retirement and cars), are a few guidelines about saving for college:

So here, in my continuing “Rules of thumb” series, are three guidelines regarding cars: – See more at: http://asklizweston.com/page/3/#sthash.BwXsoYOC.dpuf

Save yourself first. No one’s going to lend you money for retirement, so that has to remain your top priority–hard as that is for parents to hear. Think of it this way: by saving for yourself first, you’re reducing the odds that you’ll have to move in with your kid in old age. Trust me, she’ll appreciate that someday.

But save something. Even if it’s just $25 or $50 a month to start, putting something away for college helps solidify it as a goal–and anything you can save will reduce your child’s future debt load (since most financial aid is actually loans, not grants or scholarships).

Use a good 529 plan. Money saved in 529s is tax free when used for college education costs, and most of these state-run plans are pretty good these days, thanks to better investment options and lower fees. Morningstar runs an annual list of the best and worst plans.

The more you make, the more you’re expected to save. Federal financial aid formulas aren’t adjusted for regional differences in cost of living. There’s no exception made for families that have experienced hard financial times in the past. The higher your income, the more the formula expects you will have saved…to the point where someone with an income over $100,000 could be expected to fork over a third of it for college costs. There are ways to reduce college costs, but knowing the reality of financial aid formulas will help you to understand the maxim that “if you CAN save for college, you probably SHOULD.”

 

Q&A: An Update

Dear Liz: I think you were way too hard on the young man who said his 30-year-old girlfriend’s lack of retirement savings was a potential deal breaker. You told him to get off his high horse. He was just being prudent.

Answer: It would be prudent to regard massive debt, alcoholism or drug use as deal breakers for a relationship. Elevating the young woman’s lack of retirement savings to this level is just over the top. But let’s hear what the young man himself had to say:

Dear Liz: I want to say thank you for taking the time to write on my question. I was able to find a few charts online and show her [the power of compounded returns]. She got excited about it and is now putting in to get the company match (5%).

Thank you very much for putting me in my place. I did not mean to come across as if I was better. I have been very lucky to have been able to save and be taught about compounding at an early age.

Answer: One of the potential hazards of being good with money is arrogance. We can become convinced that we know better and that other people should do things our way. It takes some humility to understand that not everyone has had the advantages we’ve had or been able to take in the information as we’ve done. Understanding that makes it easier to find compromises in a relationship that work for both parties.
Good luck with your relationship. She sounds like a keeper.

Q&A: Social Security Payouts

Dear Liz: My wife and I, 63 and 62, plan to continue working till at least 65. We will begin collecting Social Security benefits in September. Our combined income is $58,000, we own our home outright, and we have no debt, no children, $84,000 in a traditional IRA and $90,000 in a stock portfolio.

I just sold a portion of a mutual fund for a $30,000 gain that is in the bank for the time being. How long do we have to reinvest without paying a capital gains tax? Or would it be best to pay the tax now, leave the money in the bank and be done with it?

Answer: Unless you sell another investment for a $30,000 loss to offset the gain, you’re going to have to pay taxes on your profit.

“There is no way to do a tax-free reinvestment,” said tax professional Eva Rosenberg, an enrolled agent who runs the TaxMama.com site. “And the time to ask questions like that is before you sell the mutual funds.”

You still have time to avoid a much bigger mistake: signing up for Social Security now.

Your Social Security checks would be reduced $1 for every $2 you earn over a certain level, which this year is $15,480. That “earnings test” applies until you reach your full retirement age (which is 66, not 65, for both you and your wife). What’s more, you would lock in lower benefits for life and give up a chance to boost your Social Security payout in a way that’s available only to married couples who wait until full retirement age to start benefits. (More on that in a moment.)

Your savings are too small to generate much income, particularly if you want to minimize the chances of running out of money. You should be looking to maximize your Social Security benefits to help make up for that deficit. Your benefits grow substantially each year you put off applying for them, and most people will live past the break-even point where delaying benefits until full retirement age results in more money than taking them early.

Many people erroneously think they should grab Social Security as early as they can, but the Social Security system isn’t going away, and you are likely to regret settling for a smaller check. Remember that your wife probably will outlive you and will have to get by on one check, so you should make sure your benefits are as big as they can be.

One way to do that is for the lower-earning spouse to claim spousal benefits at his or her full retirement age. Once the lower earner’s benefit maxes out at age 70, he or she can switch if that benefit is larger.

But spousal benefits can’t start until the higher earner files for his or her own benefit. If the higher earner waits until full retirement age to apply, he or she has the option to “file and suspend” — a maneuver that lets the spouse claim spousal benefits while leaving the higher earner’s benefit untouched so it can continue to grow.

This “claim now, claim more later” strategy is available only to people who wait until their full retirement age to start.

Your tax question and your plan to start Social Security early indicate you could really use some sessions with a fee-only financial planner. Such a consultation is a good idea for everyone as they’re approaching retirement, but in your case, it’s essential.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Why you should ditch your debit card. Also in the news: Knowing when it’s okay to co-sign for a loan, how much credit card debt is too much, and 3 common mistakes when choosing an insurance plan.

5 Expert Reasons to Ditch Your Debit Card
Why some believe credit is better than debit.

How to Know When It’s OK to Co-Sign a Loan
Do a little soul-searching first.

Do You Have Too Much Credit Card Debt?
How much is too much?

Choosing an insurance plan: 3 common mistakes
Looking beyond the deductibles.

Money rules rock

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailThe more you learn about personal finance, the more you realize that “one size fits all” advice doesn’t really fit all. There are often too many exceptions, too many differences in upbringing, personality, culture, financial situations and goals to confidently say, “This is what everyone should do.”

Yet at the same time, people want clear direction. Give them too much information, and many just freeze up. Rather than do the wrong thing, they do nothing–which may be the worst thing of all.

So I was delighted to read about an MIT study that found rules of thumb helped small business owners more than teaching them accounting standards. The simple approach produced “economically meaningful improvements in business practices and outcomes,” according to “Keeping It Simple: Financial Literacy and Rules of Thumb.”

That gives me hope that the “money rules of thumb” pieces I write might actually help you get ahead. With that in mind, please click through to read my latest column for DailyWorth, “7 Money Rules You Need to Know.”

 

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: When the best times are to both purchase airfare and to travel. Also in the news: An under-the-radar retirement risk, five ways to avoid ATM fees, and how white lies about money can leave you deep in debt.

Best Days to Travel, Buy Airfare
Flying at certain times of the day can save you money.

The biggest retirement risk no one talks about
What happens when our minds begin to slip?

5 Tips for Avoiding ATM Fees
Where you do your banking could make all the difference.

5 Little Money White Lies That Can Leave You in the Red
Don’t get caught by these untruths.

The Only 3 Money Principles You Need To Know
Three principles to better your financial health.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

imagesToday’s top story: Four ways to help teach you kids about finances. Also in the news: The best jobs for the future, how to not let debt collectors ruin your life, and how to save money on the summer’s big music festivals.

4 Analogies That Help Teach Children About Finance
Making a complicated subject easier to understand.

Best jobs for the future
Time for a career change?

Don’t Let Debt Collectors Ruin Your Life
Being in debt is stressful enough.

5 Ways to Attend Summer Music Festivals on the Cheap
More money for t-shirts!

Maximize Your Grocery Budget With the Inverted Pyramid Method
It’s not as complicated as it sounds.

Match.com Babies Can Win a College Scholarship
Yes, you read that correctly.

What Mom really wants on Sunday…

Massage of shuolder…is a day at the spa, according to a poll commissioned by Insure.com.

About two out of five moms picked pampering as their top choice for a purchased gift. A family getaway was the next most popular option, preferred by about one third of respondents. Gift cards, a nice dinner out, a romantic getaway, chocolates and breakfast in bed were other favorites.

As for the day itself, the majority wanted to spend time with the whole family and preferred homemade presents from their kids.

Appreciating Mom means appreciating all the things mothers do, which offers a natural segue (at least for personal finance types) to a discussion about the importance of life insurance. That’s part of the Insure.com post as well. The idea is that if Mom weren’t around, you’d have to not only replace her income (assuming she works outside the home, as most mothers do) plus hire someone to perform at least some of the many tasks she accomplishes each day.

But “Hey, Mom, I bought you some life insurance!” doesn’t really have the right ring to it. So look into getting insurance, but book the massage as well.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How to create a post-college financial plan. Also in the news: Tips for safe shopping online, how to protect your child from identity theft, and eight questions to ask a home inspector.

8 Tips for Creating a Post-College Financial Plan
As graduation approaches, it’s time to get serious.

5 Tips for Safe Online Shopping
Recent massive security breeches have shoppers on edge.

A Mother’s Day Guide to Keeping Your Child’s Identity Safe
People of all ages are at risk for identity theft.

8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Inspector
Buying a home is stressful enough.