Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Thumbs upToday’s top story: The top personal financial planning websites. Also in the news: The dangers of free Wi-Fi, how to lower your health care costs, and tips on taxes for freelancers.

Top 5 Personal Financial Planning Websites
Putting it all on virtual paper.

Is Free Wi-Fi Dangerous?
Free Wi-Fi can end up quite costly.

5 Ways to Lower Your Health Care Bills
How to keep a lid on your health care costs.

Freelancers, Here’s How To Do Your Taxes
One of the downsides of freelancing life.

If You Can’t Understand a Financial Move in Five Minutes, Wait First
Waiting could save you from making a big mistake.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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currencyToday’s top story: How to avoid currency exchange fees while traveling. Also in the news: How finances can reveal an unfaithful spouse, howto avoid ruining your retirement plan, and why it’s so important to include your digital assets in your estate planning.

5 money saving tips for exchanging currency
How to save on fees during your overseas travel.

11 Financial Signs Your Spouse is Cheating on You
There’s always a paper trail.

4 Ways to Ruin Your Retirement Plan
You’ll want to avoid these.

5 ways to protect your online assets
The importance of including your online accounts in your estate plan.

10 steps to take if you hope to retire soon
The sooner you start, the better off you’ll be.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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homebuyerToday’s top story: How to purchase a home in a tough real estate market. Also in the news: Keeping your credit cards safe, important retirement milestones, and why you should avoid bad credit loans.

How to Buy a Home in a Competitive Real Estate Market
Getting the right lender is crucial.

The Everyday Household Item That Can Keep Your Credit Card Safe
You’ll never look at a bag of coffee the same way again.

Top 7 Retirement Milestones You Need to Know
Retirement planning doesn’t end when you get the gold watch.

5 Types of Bad Credit Loans to Avoid
The quick fix will be painful in the long run.

Don’t Wait: 6 Good Financial Habits for 30-Somethings
The sooner you start, the better off you’ll be.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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hotel-checkoutToday’s top story: 9 ways hotels try to grab your cash. Also in the news: What it costs to close your bank account, how to pay off your high interest credit card debt, and what you need to know before purchasing life insurance.

9 Hotel Gotchas
Don’t get caught by surprise while traveling this summer.

The Costs of Closing Your Bank Account
Here come the fees.

Ways to Pay Off High-Interest Debt
Start chipping away.

10 things life insurance agents won’t say
Educate yourself before purchasing a plan.

4 big ways your expenses could rise in retirement
Travel is one of them.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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crop380w_istock_000009258023xsmall-dbet-ball-and-chainToday’s top story: Becoming debt free and staying that way. Also in the news: How to find the leaks in your budget, six ways to become “rich”, and what to do if you need a credit increase.

How to Become Debt-Free — and Stay That Way
It’s not as impossible as it sounds.

How to Find & Fix Your Budget Leaks
Sealing the money drips.

6 ways to become rich without even trying
Well, maybe a little trying.

Need Some Flexibility? 6 Ways to Increase Your Credit Limit
Proceed with caution.

Disability Benefits: How Social Security Decides If You Deserve Them
Deciphering the formula.

Q&A: Work from home jobs

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Dear Liz: Are there legitimate “work from home” Internet job opportunities, or are all those advertisements just scams?

Answer: You should be skeptical of advertisements in general and particularly advertisements about an area as scam-filled as work-from-home opportunities.

Yes, many people make a living working from home. They’re typically employees of companies that allow them to telecommute, or they’ve launched successful businesses or they’re answering phones for a call center. They are not unskilled people making a killing at jobs that require little effort, which seems to be what most of the scams promote.

You can research legitimate opportunities by starting with legitimate websites. AARP, Bankrate.com and Kiplinger all have good articles on the topic.