Get smart with your money
Dear Liz: Every so often your column mentions an organization that lists financial planners that are fee-only. I cannot find this information on your site. Please keep mentioning this in your column.
Answer: You can get referrals to fee-only planners who charge by the hour at www.garrettplanningnetwork.com. If you’re looking for fee-only planners who charge a retainer or a percentage of assets, you’ll find those at
Today’s top story: Senior checking accounts. Also in the news: The best Earth Day sales and freebies, five reasons why a nearly perfect credit score isn’t enough, and how to file taxes for a deceased love one.
What Is a Senior Checking Account?
The pros and cons.
Best Earth Day Sales, Deals and Freebies
Thank the planet for the discounts.
5 reasons why a nearly perfect credit score’s not enough
The rules are complicated.
How to File Final Taxes for a Deceased Loved One
Death, taxes, and after-death taxes.
Today’s top story: Using your tax refund to secure your future. Also in the news: Frequent overdrafters lose hundreds in fees, what to do before age 40 to retire comfortably, and how viewing your budget as a circle instead of a list can provide more flexibility.
5 Ways to Use Your Tax Refund to Secure Your Future
Protecting what you have, while still having a little fun.
Heaviest Overdrafters Pay a Week’s Wages in Fees, Study Finds
Creating a vicious circle.
10 Things to Do Before Age 40 to Retire Comfortably
Tick tock.
View Your Budget as a Circle Instead of a List to Be More Flexible
Giving yourself a little breathing room.
Today’s top story: How paying rent can affect your credit. Also in the news: How to protect yourself from cybercrime while banking with your phone, why you shouldn’t consider something “yours” until it’s completely paid off, and financial strategies for creative types without steady incomes.
How Paying Rent Can Affect Your Credit
Rent-reporting services can boost your credit.
4 ways to dodge cybercrime when banking, shopping on mobile phones
Convenience can come with a hefty price.
Avoid Saying You “Own” Something Until It’s Paid Off
It isn’t yours until the last payment is made.
The #1 Reason Artists Struggle With Money, and 3 Simple Strategies to Turn Things Around
Advice for creative types.
Saving money isn’t that hard. What’s hard is keeping money saved.
It’s too easy to cut expenses in one area only to spend more somewhere else. Sticking cash into savings won’t help if it comes right back out again.
In my latest for NerdWallet, how to trick yourself into savings that actually last.
Today’s top story: Avoiding financial pitfalls in your 20’s. Also in the news: The hidden costs of selling your home, what to do when you haven’t saved for your kid’s college tuition, and the clock is ticking on a popular Social Security strategy.
How to Avoid 5 Financial Pitfalls in Your 20s
Welcome to the real world!
4 Hidden Costs of Selling Your Home
Prepare yourself for fees.
You Didn’t Put Money Away for Your Kid’s College Fund. Now What?
Time to start playing catchup.
Time is running out for this Social Security strategy
The clock’s running out on file-and-suspend.