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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

January 25, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: 3 ways debt settlement may not be the fix you expect. Also in the news: NFL great Eric Dickerson shares money and life lessons, where to find low-cost checking and the reason why most people get rejected for a personal loan.

3 Ways Debt Settlement May Not Be the Fix You Expect
What debt settlement companies won’t tell you.

NFL Great Eric Dickerson Shares Money and Life Lessons
Tips from the Hall of Famer.

Consumers Can Find Low-Cost Checking, Despite Bank of America Move
Alternatives to BoA.

The reason why most people get rejected for a personal loan
Know the score.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: bank of america, Credit Score, debt, debt settlement, Eric Dickerson, life lessons, low-cost checking, NFL, Personal Loans

Should we pay people to save?

January 24, 2018 By Liz Weston

Long ago, people were rewarded for saving. Banks contributed something known as “interest” to the amounts deposited in savings accounts.

OK, technically they still do, but you’d be forgiven for not noticing the tiny amounts added in a low-rate environment. The current average interest rate on savings accounts is 0.06 percent.

Anemic rates may not be a major reason why Americans don’t save enough, but there’s some evidence that better rewards could induce more people to save. Two approaches that seem to work: matching funds and prize-linked accounts.

In my latest for the Associated Press, could rewarding people for saving get them to save more?

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: banking, incentives, rewards, Savings

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

January 24, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to max out your Roth IRA in 2018. Also in the news: Why smarter cars aren’t saving us money on car insurance, 4 tax breaks that could help those caring for elderly parents, and 5 money moves that will help you retire early.

How to Max Out Your Roth IRA in 2018
Tips to keep you on track.

Why Smarter Cars Aren’t Saving Us Money on Car Insurance
Need a little more time.

If You’re Caring for Elderly Parents, 4 Tax Breaks May Help
See what’s available to you.

5 Money Moves That Will Help You Retire Early
Strategic planning.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: car insurance, caregivers, early retirement, money moves, Retirement, retirement savings, Roth IRA, smart cars, tax breaks, tips

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

January 23, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: The 4 best times to file taxes. Also in the news: What’s different in this year’s tax filings, 5 traits shared by the best financial planners, and could this be the year to buy a house?

The 4 Best Times to File Taxes

Never Mind Tax Reform — What’s Different When I File This Year?

The Best Financial Planners Share These 5 Traits

Is 2018 the year to buy a house?
Could this be the year?

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: financial planners, Financial Planning, real estate, tax filings, Taxes

Monday’s need-to-know money news

January 22, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: 3 ways to invest in your career this week. Also in the news: How to pick stock investments, checking accounts for seniors, and using your emergency savings to pay off credit card debt.

3 Ways to Invest in Your Career This Week
Give your career a boost.

How to Pick Stock Investments
Choosing wisely.

Checking Accounts for Seniors
Know the perks.

Should You Pay Off Your Credit Card Debt With Your Emergency Savings?
Start making short-term sacrifices.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: career advice, checking, checking accounts, credit card debt, emergency fub, Investments, seniors and money, Stocks

Q&A: Get your credit score ready for the home-buying process

January 22, 2018 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: What score do you need to be approved for a mortgage? Is 520 even close? If not, how do I get that score higher quickly?

Answer: A score of 520 on the usual 300-to-850 FICO scale is pretty bad. Theoretically, you might be able to get a mortgage if you can make a large down payment, but you’ll have more options — and pay a lot less in interest — if you can get your scores higher.

That, however, takes time. You need a consistent pattern of responsible credit behavior to start offsetting your mistakes of the past. If you don’t already have and use credit cards, consider applying for a secured credit card, which requires a cash security deposit, typically of $200 or more. You’ll get a credit limit equal to your deposit. Using the card lightly but regularly, and paying in full every month, can help your scores.

A credit builder loan, offered by credit unions and the online company Self Lender, is another way to improve your credit while building your savings at the same time. The money you borrow is put into a savings account or certificate of deposit that you can claim once you’ve made 12 monthly payments. Making your payments on time helps improve your credit history and scores.

Taking a year to build your credit also would give you more time to save for your down payment and for closing costs. Rushing into homeownership is rarely a good idea, so take the time you need to get your financial life in order first.

Filed Under: Credit & Debt, Credit Scoring, Q&A, Real Estate Tagged With: Credit Score, Credit Scores, mortgage, q&a

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