Ask Liz Weston

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Liz Weston

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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refinancingToday’s top story: How to win a bidding war in a hot housing market. Also in the news: How to retire during a bear market, how to get your financial priorities straight, and how to survive an IRS audit.

6 Ways to Win a Bidding War in a Hot Housing Market
Strategies to help you come out a winner.

How to retire in a bear market
Quitting work when the market isn’t cooperating.

Is Your Money Going Where It Needs To? How To Get Your Financial Priorities Straight.
Time to get things sorted.

The IRS Audit Survival Guide
Don’t panic.

How to Pay Bills When You Can’t Pay Your Bills

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stack-of-billsWhen Bruce McClary was a housing counselor, his clients regularly showed up for appointments with grocery bags full of unopened bills.

“It wasn’t unusual. They couldn’t pay the bills, so they didn’t open them,” says McClary, who now works in public relations for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Ignoring bills seems to work — at least for a while. The repo man typically won’t take your car if you’re a little late with your payment (although he can). Credit card companies and student lenders may start to call, but you can always send them to voicemail. Foreclosures can take months, if not years, depending on where you live.

In my latest for NerdWallet, how to put a plan together when the money you have just isn’t enough.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Home-related tax deductions you shouldn’t overlook. Also in the news: What to do if you’re behind on your health insurance premiums, the benefits to itemizing your taxes, and secrets to getting the best deal on a new car.

4 Home-Related Tax Deductions You Shouldn’t Overlook
Every deduction helps.

Behind on Health Insurance Premiums? Here’s What to Do
Act quickly.

Is itemizing your taxes worth the hassle?
You could be leaving money on the table.

20 secrets to getting the best deal on a new car
Don’t get taken for a ride.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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estate planningToday’s top story: The 10 keys to proper estate planning. Also in the news: What types of insurance everyone should consider, why you need to review your car insurance policy, and how to choose the right budgeting software.

10 Keys to Proper Estate Planning
Protecting yourself and your family.

3 types of insurance everyone should consider
More protection for youself and your family.

Why Your Car Insurance Shouldn’t Be As Old As Your Car
Time to review your policy.

Budgeting Software Showdown: Mint vs. You Need a Budget
Selecting the right software for your needs.

6 Tax Traps to Avoid
Traps are lurking everywhere.

Q&A: Helping a friend build credit

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Dear Liz: I am selling my car to an old friend with no credit history. (The used car salesman wanted to charge her 6.5% interest.) Is there a way that I can report her timely payments to the credit reporting services to help her build her credit?

Answer: It’s not really practical for individuals to report payments, since subscribing to credit bureaus is expensive.

The rate your friend was quoted actually isn’t bad given her lack of credit history. If she kept the loan term relatively short (four years or less), she might be able to build up enough equity and credit history to refinance it to a lower rate in a year or two.

If she’d prefer not to take that route, you might suggest she explore credit builder loans. These loans, offered by credit unions, banks and some online lenders, are designed to help establish credit histories at the bureaus. The lenders typically put the borrowers monthly payments, minus a small interest charge, into a certificate of deposit that is the borrowers to keep after the final payment.

Secured credit cards are another good way to build credit scores. Borrowers make a refundable deposit with the issuing bank and get a credit line that’s typical equal to that deposit.

Q&A: The hazards of debt settlement

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Dear Liz: My wife and I owe about $46,000 in credit card debt. We are considering a debt consolidation plan in which our debt would be reduced to about $27,000. According to what I’ve read and what’s included in the paperwork, any reduction in our debt may be reported to the IRS as income. I’m assuming this would not only increase our tax burden but could result in the forfeiture of some of my Social Security benefits. Am I correct in these assumptions?

Answer: What you’re considering is debt settlement, not debt consolidation.

With debt consolidation, you get one loan to pay off other, smaller debts in full. The right debt consolidation loan would offer a fixed interest rate and would allow you to pay off what you owe within three to five years.

Debt settlement, on the other hand, means you’re trying to get your creditors to accept less than what you owe. Debt settlement typically requires that you stop making payments to your creditors, which will trash your credit scores and could lead to lawsuits. You typically accrue interest, late fees and penalties that could offset or even wipe out any savings the debt-settlement company is promising you.

And the fact that the company seems to be promising you specific results, such as a $19,000 reduction in your debt, is a red flag all on its own. Your creditors don’t have any obligation to settle with you, and a debt settlement company shouldn’t promise that it can make the debt disappear.

To answer your specific questions: Yes, any debt that is “forgiven” in a settlement is considered income that can be taxed. It isn’t considered earned income, however, and so doesn’t trigger the Social Security earnings test that can reduce your benefits.

You’d be wise to read what the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have to say about debt settlement on their sites. In the vast majority of cases, you’re better off avoiding this option. Pay off what you owe if you can. If you can’t, explore a debt management plan offered by a nonprofit credit counselor and also make an appointment with a bankruptcy attorney so you understand all your options.