Get smart with your money
Dear Liz: In helping my 92-year-old father update his trust, we ran into a snag. Both his passport and driver’s license had expired.
We thought he didn’t need them since he does not travel, drive or hit the bars.
But to notarize documents, you need current identification. Getting a state ID card added many weeks to the process.
Remind your elderly readers to keep their ID current.
Answer: Consider it done.
Today’s top story: New payday loan rule protects borrowers from sinking into debt. Also in the news: Sailing into Columbus Day sales, how to make money on Amazon, and why you’re losing money if cash is your only savings strategy.
New Payday Loan Rule Protects Borrowers From Sinking Into Debt
Protecting the consumer.
Should You Sail Into Columbus Day Sales?
What to purchase this weekend.
How to Make Money on Amazon
So that you can turn around and then spend it on Amazon.
If Cash Is Your Only Savings Strategy, You’re Losing Money
A piggy bank doesn’t draw interest.
Today’s top story: Why a rainy day fund is as crucial as emergency savings. Also in the news: How to deal with a credit card issuer who has you seeing red, how to make money on Upwork, and 5 personal finance tips from billionaires.
Rainy Day Fund Is as Crucial as Emergency Savings
Handling all levels of crises.
Credit Card Issuer Got You Seeing Red? Try These Tips
Demanding answers.
New Freelancers: How to Make Money on Upwork
Earning some pocket money.
5 Personal Finance Tips From Billionaires
Learning from the best.
Today’s top story: Crush impulse buying with these 4 Jedi mind tricks. Also in the news: 4 ways to make money as a college student, how and why to place a fraud alert on your credit lines, and what to do if you’ve lowballed yourself into a crummy salary.
Crush Impulse Buying With These 4 Jedi Mind Tricks
Buy this you won’t.
4 Ways to Make Money as a College Student
So you’re not stuck with ramen.
How to Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit, and Why
Monitoring your credit lines.
How to Negotiate After You’ve Lowballed Yourself Into a Crummy Salary
Don’t accept less than you’re worth.
Adding freezes to your credit reports is an appropriate response to the massive Equifax database breach that exposed the private information of 143 million Americans.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking those freezes will keep you safe, however.
Credit freezes lock down your credit reports in a way that should prevent “new account fraud,” or bogus accounts being opened in your name. But there are so many other ways the bad guys can use the information they stole, which included Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses and some driver’s license numbers. In my latest for the Associated Press, find out the other ways the Equifax breach will affect your life for years to come.
Today’s top story: 5 mobile banking alerts to help you fight fraud. Also in the news: What to do if you can’t replay your SBA loan, 7 habits of highly effective credit card users, and the worst cities for record high ATM fees.
5 Mobile Banking Alerts to Help You Fight Fraud
Using your phone to protect your money.
What to Do If You Can’t Pay Back Your SBA Loan
7 Habits of Highly Effective Credit Card Users
$5 to access your own money? ATM fees jump to record high and these cities are the worst