Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Liz's Blog

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How your employer can help you save for emergencies. Also in the news: Tips and traps when buying a used car at auction, 4 questions to consider before opening a new credit card, and how to actually read your retirement account statements.

How Your Employer Can Help You Save for Emergencies
Employer-supported emergency funds are on the rise.

Tips and Traps When Buying a Used Car at Auction
Don’t get stuck with a lemon.

4 Questions to Consider Before Opening a New Credit Card
Think before you apply.

How to Actually Read Your Retirement Account Statements
Deciphering the tiny print.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Make sure a new holiday credit card plays well with others. Also in the news: How one couple paid off over $200K of debt in six years, how to tell if consolidating your student loans would actually save you money, and the 10 best finance movies of the decade.

Make Sure a New Holiday Credit Card Plays Well With the Others
1 in 4 consumers will open a new credit card over the holidays.

How I Ditched Debt: ‘Happiness Journey’ Fueled Payoff
How one couple paid off over $200K in six years.

Here’s how to tell if consolidating your student loans would actually save you money
Not all loan consolidations are equal.

The 10 Best Finance Movies of the Decade
Financial lessons on the big screen.

How employers help workers save for rainy days

By

Everyone needs a rainy-day fund — your financial health depends on it. Your employer could help you build one.

Many companies offer 401(k)s and other retirement plans, but until recently few had programs to promote short-term savings. That’s starting to change, as employers experiment with matching funds, payroll deductions and other methods to encourage workers to build emergency funds.

In my latest for the Associated Press, see why employer-sponsored emergency savings accounts are beginning to gain traction.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Don’t let holiday shopping sink your credit score. Also in the news: 10 housing and mortgage trends or 2020, money habits that are doing you more harm than good, and the No. 1 job of 2019 pays $140,000 – and its hiring growth has exploded.

Don’t Let Holiday Shopping Sink Your Credit Score
Not the kind of gift you should give yourself.

10 Housing and Mortgage Trends for 2020
What to watch for in the new year.

These money habits in your ‘financial junk drawer’ are probably doing you more harm than good
New year, better habits.

The No. 1 job of 2019 pays $140,000 — and its hiring growth has exploded 74%
The robots are coming.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Letting go of shame over your debt. Also in the news: How to get the highest credit card welcome bonuses, 3 tax mistakes you’re probably making today, and what to do when debt collectors keep calling for someone else.

It’s Time to Let Go of Shame Over Your DebtIt’s counterproductive and does nothing to solve the problem.

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/travel/how-to-get-highest-credit-card-welcome-bonuses/
Get ready to shop around.

3 Tax Mistakes You’re Probably Making Today
Avoid these mistakes at all costs.

What to Do When Debt Collectors Keep Calling for Someone Else
Knowing your rights.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: One credit score factor to check twice during the holidays. Also in the news: How to give back without busting your budget, how not to get hustled in the holiday bustle, and the best apps for tracking your credit card rewards.

One Credit Score Factor to Check Twice During the Holidays
Utilizing your credit wisely.

How to Give Back Without Busting Your Budget
Create a giving plan.

Identity Theft: Don’t Get Hustled in the Holiday Bustle
‘Tis the season for identity theft.

The Best Apps for Tracking Your Credit Card Rewards
All your rewards in one place.