Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Liz's Blog

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How to manage money in your 30’s. Also in the news: Student loan holders catch a home buying break, why you should get to work building an unemployment fund, and the 10 best entry-level jobs for 2017.

How to Manage Money in Your 30s
Taking the longview.

Student Loan Holders Catch a Home-Buying Break
It’s about to become a little easier.

Get to Work on Building Your Unemployment Fund
Preparing for the worst.

The 10 Best Entry-Level Jobs For 2017
We all have to start somewhere.

Allowances Don’t Teach Kids About Money – You Do

By

Many parents tell me they feel guilty about allowances.

They aren’t consistent about when and how they give their kids money. They wonder if allowances should be tied to chores. Even how they dole out money can be a problem. Cash is easiest, but much of what kids want to buy — downloads of a favorite show, a toy on Amazon, a realm in Minecraft — requires plastic.

I’ve used our daughter as a guinea pig to test all kinds of allowance systems and apps , starting when she was just 3.

In my latest for the Associated Press, how to start teaching your kids about money at an early age.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Credit report with score on a desk
Today’s top story: How your selfie could affect your life insurance. Also in the news: How to build credit in exactly 250 words, why you need to get to work on building your unemployment fund, and why the credit scoring system is about to get less awful.

How Your Selfie Could Affect Your Life Insurance
That brunch selfie could raise your life insurance rates.

How to Build Credit in (Exactly) 250 Words
Short, sweet, and effective.

Get to Work on Building Your Unemployment Fund
Don’t waste anymore time.

The Credit Scoring System Is About to Get Less Awful
Big changes are coming this fall.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How to deal with a mooching friend. Also in the news: 11 ways to save money on Entertainment, how to invest $100,000, and how insurance can help save wedding disasters.

Ask Brianna: How Do I Deal With a Mooching Friend?
Making tough decisions.

11 Ways to Save Money on Entertainment
While still having fun.

How to Invest $100,000
Strategic investing.

Wedding gone wrong? Insurance could help set things right
A silver lining.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: 3 keys to budgeting as a freelancer. Also in the news: What you can learn about saving from a former big spender, why small business owners should offer pension plans, and what you need to know about credit cards when you travel abroad.

3 Keys to Budgeting as a Freelancer
Keeping a steady budget without steady income.

What You Can Learn About Saving From a Former Big Spender
Tips on what NOT to do.

Why Small-Business Owners Should Offer Pension Plans
Battling the retirement savings crisis.

What you need to know about credit cards when you travel abroad
Watch out for fees.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: The 4 perks of Solo 401(k) for business owners and freelancers. Also in the news: How to monitor your credit in exactly 250 words, how to eat healthy on a budget, and the best places to retire in 2017.

4 Perks of Solo 401(k) for Business Owners and Freelancers
Retirement savings for sole employees.

How to Monitor Credit in (Exactly) 250 Words
Short and sweet.

How to Eat Healthy on a Budget
You don’t have to live on ramen.

The Best Places To Retire In 2017
Where would you like to go?