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Liz Weston

Q&A: The stigma of bankruptcy

November 24, 2014 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: Someone recently asked you about whether they were responsible for their mother’s credit card debt, and at the end of your answer you suggested she talk to a bankruptcy attorney. How can you promote that kind of irresponsibility?

Answer: Some people are quite firm in their belief that bankruptcy should never be an option — even for elderly widows on fixed incomes with no hope of ever paying off their debts. But if enough things go wrong in their lives, these anti-bankruptcy folks might find themselves grateful that there’s a legal way out of the debtors’ prison that their lives would become.

Filed Under: Bankruptcy, Q&A Tagged With: Bankruptcy, q&a

Friday’s need-to-know money news

November 21, 2014 By Liz Weston

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: A little known tax credit could save future retirees money. Also in the news: How to avoid overspending during the holidays, making the right upgrades when selling your home, and how to maximize your Social Security benefits.

The Crucial Tax Credit Retirement Savers Don’t Know About
Your 401(k) contributions could save you money come tax time.

Watch out! 11 ways retailers get you to overspend
Retailers have their eyes on your wallet for the holidays.

Know Your Market When Doing Home Upgrades To Increase Value
Investing in the right improvements.

How to Maximize Social Security for Your Retirement
When you decide to start taking benefits can make a huge difference.

5 Ways to Whip Your Budget Into Shape for the Holidays
The holidays don’t have to leave you broke.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 401(k), holiday shopping tips, home improvements, real estate, Retirement, Social Security, Taxes

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

November 20, 2014 By Liz Weston

retirement-savings3Today’s top story: How to prepare your finances for the end of the year. Also in the news: Strategies to prevent holiday shopping binges, why your employer wants you to save for retirement, and what to do as you approach retirement.

5 Year-End Personal Finance Tips
Preparing for the new year.

3 Strategies to Prevent a Holiday Shopping Binge
Keeping the festivities in check.

The Surprising Reason Employers Want You to Save for Retirement
It’s all about productivity.

5 things to do now if you’re near retirement
Start preparing for one of life’s biggest changes.

7 Money Myths About Millennials
Millennial mythbusting.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 401(k), holiday shopping, millennials, Retirement, tips

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

November 19, 2014 By Liz Weston

bank_fee1Today’s top story: Beware the dirty tricks of student loan collectors. Also in the news: Tax tips, the best strategy for holiday shopping, and busting some digital banking myths.

Watch Out for These Student Loan Debt Collectors’ Dirty Tricks
Stay on your toes.

Beat the Crowd With This Smart Year-End Tax Move
Understanding capital losses.

Top 5 Digital Banking Myths
Time for some mythbusting.

The Best Strategies for Your Final Holiday Shopping Countdown
The war plan for holiday shopping.

3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Taking Out Student Loans
Hindsight is your best friend/worst enemy.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: debt collection, digital banking, holiday shopping, student loans. taxes, tax tips

What will you pay for college? Probably more than you think

November 18, 2014 By Liz Weston

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailI recently used the College Board’s “estimated family contribution” calculator to see how much we’ll be expected to pay when our (currently pre-teen) daughter heads off to college.

The answer? Roughly half our annual incomes. Each year.

No colleges actually charge the amount we’d theoretically be expected to pay. So our out-of-pocket costs would be somewhat less. But the exercise drives home how important it is to run these numbers, early and often, if you want a college education for your kids that doesn’t bankrupt you, and them.

Because I know how the formulas work, I was able to tweak some numbers to lower our EFC. Moving more money into retirement accounts and using savings to pay down the mortgage helped a lot with the federal formula, and helped some with the institutional formula (which, unlike the federal, counts home equity). We still wouldn’t get any need-based help from most colleges but could get some breaks if our daughter gets into one of the most-expensive elite schools. (The total cost of the average public college is $20,000 to $25,000; $40,000 for privates and $60,000 for elites.)

If we didn’t have a fat college savings account, we likely would steer our daughter toward public schools or privates willing to offer merit scholarships to reduce the total cost. It’s much better to start a college search knowing what you can afford than to have to tell your kid, dream school acceptance letter in her hand, that you can’t send her there. Or worse, that you will–and then never be able to retire.

For more about how financial aid formulas work, read my Reuters column this week: “A guide to figuring out the real cost of college.”

 

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: college, college costs, CSS Profile, EFC, estimated family contribution, FAFSA, financial aid

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

November 18, 2014 By Liz Weston

homebuyerToday’s top story: How to financially prepare for winter. Also in the news: How to determine if you should rent or buy a home, how to keep student loans from ruining your life, and how to avoid gift card fraud during the holidays.

8 Ways to Tackle Winter Money Challenges With Ease
How to reduce heating costs and holiday expenses.

Know Your “Rent-to-Price” Ratio When Deciding If You Should Buy a Home
How to determine if you should consider buying vs renting.

7 ways to top student loans from ruining your life
Taking charge of your loans.

How to Avoid Gift Card Fraud This Holiday Season
Protecting your purchases.

When You’re Most Likely to Get a Call From a Debt Collector
Prepare yourself.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: buying vs renting, debt, debt collection, gift card fraud, Student Loans, winter expenses

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