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Liz Weston

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

November 22, 2017 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: What to do if an ATM eats your deposit. Also in the news: Betterment adds a charitable giving option, 3 things you definitely shouldn’t finance, and the best Cyber Monday sales for 2017.

What to Do if an ATM Eats Your Deposit
Don’t panic.

Betterment Adds a Charitable Giving Option
Just in time for Giving Tuesday.

3 things you definitely shouldn’t finance
Don’t take out that credit card just yet.

Best Cyber Monday Sales for 2017
No need to fight the crowds.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: ATM, Betterment, cyber Monday, deals, deposits, financing, Giving Tuesday, investment, sales

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

November 21, 2017 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Black Friday snafus and the insurance that fixes them. Also in the news: Holiday credit card promotions, how to skip long lines at the airport without spending a dime, and five things you shouldn’t buy on Black Friday.

Black Friday Snafus and the Insurance That Fixes Them
Protect yourself.

Are Holiday Credit Card Promotions Right for You?
Reading the fine print.

Skip Long Lines at the Airport — Without Spending a Dime
What you need to know.

5 things you shouldn’t buy on Black Friday
Hold out for real bargains.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: airlines, Black Friday, Credit Cards, Insurance, shopping, tips, travel

When good money advice is bad for you

November 21, 2017 By Liz Weston

Discussing economic class is tricky in America, but the working and middle classes face vastly different financial challenges than upper-income families, and the gaps are growing wider. Good money advice for high earners could be lousy for low earners, and vice versa.

For example, certified financial planners recommend saving a three-month emergency fund before tackling other money goals.

That advice can make sense for affluent families — those who can afford a financial planner — since high earners often have enough discretionary income to create an emergency fund quickly. For families living paycheck to paycheck, the same advice could be an expensive mistake.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why good money advice isn’t one size fits all.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: financial advice

Monday’s need-to-know money news

November 20, 2017 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: What doesn’t affect your credit score. Also in the news: A crash course for first-time Black Friday shoppers, how far your money will stretch on Black Friday, and how to pick a college that won’t break the bank.

What Doesn’t Affect Your Credit Score
Focusing on the important factors.

A Crash Course for First-Time Black Friday Shoppers
Tips for rookies.

See How Far Your Money Will Stretch on Black Friday
Getting the most for your money.

How to pick a college that won’t break the bank
Avoiding years of student loan repayment.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Black Friday, college, college tuition, Credit Score, Student Loans, tips

Q&A: How to figure out the right time for retirement

November 20, 2017 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: I hear so much talk about waiting to collect Social Security. What are good reasons to start collecting Social Security at age 62? I recently retired from the military with a monthly retirement of $4,400. I plan to work a civilian job until I’m 62 (eight more years).

I’m in fairly good health now, but decades of military service and multiple deployments overseas put a lot of miles on my chassis. I truly hope I do, but I don’t know if I will live until I’m 80 or 90 years old.

Answer: None of us knows how much more time we have on this Earth. The primary reason for delaying Social Security is to decrease the odds of running short of money if we (or our spouses) happen to live a long time.

Think of it as a kind of longevity insurance because the longer you live, the more likely you are to use up your savings and to rely on your Social Security check for most, if not all, of your income. The wealthier you are — in savings and in pensions — the less important it may be to delay Social Security.

Your military pension provides a substantial monthly check and (presumably) survivor benefits for your spouse. These benefits will rise with inflation. You also have retiree health insurance at reasonable rates. You’re better off than most people approaching early retirement.

Still, your pension may not cover all your expenses and it’s not clear how much you have in other savings. Also, consider that your survivor would get about half (or less) of your pension check if you die first. So you may still want to hedge your bets by waiting at least until your full retirement age of 67 to start Social Security.

In addition to increasing your benefit, delaying to that age means you won’t be subject to the earnings test that can reduce your check by $1 for every $2 you earn over a certain limit (currently $17,040). You may think now that you’ll be ready to stop working at 62, but many early retirees find they miss the stimulation and social contact work provides.

Filed Under: Q&A, Retirement Tagged With: q&a, Retirement, retirement planning

Q&A: When considering retirement, money isn’t the only factor

November 20, 2017 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: You answer many questions about whether people are ready to retire. But there’s one other thing to consider besides money, and this is more important.

Folks need to seriously ask themselves whether they can handle being retired. I know I can’t stand it.

I have more than enough assets, plus a pension, plus healthcare, plus no debts or bills. I’m young and healthy. But I find happiness in work.

Unfortunately, I had to leave my job owing to conditions outside of my control. I now live in a beautiful house at the beach, with all my money and all the things I like to do — and I’m miserable. I’m looking for a part-time job. I live in a small community and there aren’t many jobs, but I’m hopeful to find one.

Tell your readers that it’s not only the advice of a financial planner, but also some good soul-searching that they’ll need, especially if someone is a manager or a highly educated professional. You can’t just give that up and go from full time to no time. At least work part time before retiring to make sure it’s what you want.

Answer: That’s excellent advice. Not everyone derives meaning and purpose from work, but many do, and an abrupt adjustment can be painful. Good luck in your search for a job that gives you a reason to get up in the morning.

Filed Under: Q&A, Retirement Tagged With: q&a, Retirement, retirement planning

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