Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Liz Weston

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 back-to-college lessons on building credit. Also in the news: Focus on just one thing in order to retire early, 4 salary negotiation tactics that actually work, and what you need to know before switching to a cheaper phone plan.

5 Back-to-College Lessons on Building Credit
Preparing for a solid future.

To Retire Early, Focus on Just One Thing
Save like mad.

4 Salary Negotiation Tactics That Really Worked
How to get what you’re worth.

What You Need to Know Before Switching to a Cheaper Phone Plan
There will be changes.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Costly subprime credit cards offer little help. Also in the news: Take charge of your credit score with your credit report, why you should consider a mortgage recast, and four ways to manage your credit card debt.

Costly Subprime Credit Cards Offer Little Help, NerdWallet Study Finds
Just digging a deeper hole.

If You Want a Good Credit Score, Read Your Credit Reports
Studying up.

Why You Should Consider a Mortgage Recast
Save on your monthly payment.

4 ways to manage your credit card debt
Getting it under control.

The 3 biggest money decisions you’ll ever make

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Some factors that influence your financial success are beyond your control. Older people tend to be richer than younger people. White U.S. households, on average, have many times the wealth of black or Hispanic households. Those born into the top or bottom of the economic strata typically stay there.

But the decisions you make about three key areas in your life can have an outsize impact on whether you’re able to build financial stability.

In my latest for the Associated Press, the three biggest money decisions you’ll ever make.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How seniors can save money with discounts. Also in the news: Home equity borrowing and taxes, smart ways to save on car expenses, and the 3 times you shouldn’t ask for a raise.

How Seniors Can Save Money With Discounts
Every penny counts.

Is Interest on Home Equity Borrowing Tax-Deductible
Understanding the rules.

Smart Ways to Save on Car Expenses
Tips to find savings.

3 times you shouldn’t ask for a raise
When the timing is right.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 ways to invest in real estate. Also in the news: What makes small-cap stocks mighty (and risky), why auto insurance could be limited in self-driving cars, and how to negotiate a cheaper cellphone contract.

5 Ways to Invest in Real Estate
It doesn’t have to be exhausting.

What Makes Small-Cap Stocks Mighty (and Risky)
How to get started.

With Self-Driving Cars, Auto Insurance’s Time Is Limited
Being a backseat driver in your own car.

How to Negotiate a Cheaper Cell Phone Plan
Don’t pay for what you don’t use.

Q&A: Watch out for shady companies promising to help you repay student loans

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Dear Liz: I’m 32 and have a little over $100,000 in student debt from undergraduate and graduate school. I’m trying to get my professional life on track, and I can’t figure out how to pay the loans off. Everything I see online seems shady. What are the questions I need to be asking myself? What are the things I should be searching for on the Internet to help me get control of my financial situation?

Answer: “Shady” is exactly the right word to describe many of the companies promising student loan debt relief. They’re making false promises and charging troubled borrowers fat fees for government help that’s available for free. Many of these outfits get disciplined in one state, only to pop up in another.

If you’re struggling to pay federal student loans, you have several options for making the payments more manageable. You can research income-based repayment programs at StudentLoans.gov. Private student loans don’t have the same consumer protections or numerous repayment options, but you can contact your lenders directly to see what they offer.

The amount of debt you have is large but not insurmountable, especially if it qualified you for a well-paying job.

You don’t have to rush to pay off the federal student loans because those offer low, fixed rates, but you may want to prioritize paying off variable-rate private loans.

Also, don’t let your concern about your debt prevent you from saving for retirement. That, too, will be expensive, and the longer you wait to contribute to a retirement fund, the harder it will be to catch up.