Liz's Blog

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

July 21, 2015 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: The money moves you need to make at the midyear point. Also in the news: Life events that require financial planning, common credit score killers, and why you should always read the fine print when choosing a checking account.

Your Midyear Guide to Managing Your Money
Moves you need to make now.

10 Life Events That Require Financial Planning
Both happy and sad.

5 Common Credit Score Killers
How to avoid them.

Want 1% Interest On Your Checking Account? You Can Get It, But Make Sure To Read The Fine Print
That 1% could end up costing you.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

July 20, 2015 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How your medical debt impacts your FICO score. Also in the news: Signs your parents are victims of a financial scam, what you need to know when hunting for scholarships, and how to fly first class on the cheap.

The Impact of Medical Debt on FICO Scores
A new formula treats medical debt differently.

5 Signs Your Parents Are the Victims of a Financial Scam
Older adults are more susceptible to scams.

Everything You Need to Know When Hunting for Scholarships
Helping your kids on the road to college.

How to fly first class for free (or on the cheap)
Bargain your way out of coach this summer.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

July 17, 2015 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to simplify your financial life. Also in the news: Credit card fees you shouldn’t have to pay, the hidden costs of starting your own business, and the amazing credit card features you’ve always wanted.

8 Easy Ways to Simplify Your Financial Life
Sifting through the clutter.

6 outrageous credit card fees you shouldn’t have to pay
Banks will always find a way to get more of your money.

The Hidden Costs of Starting Your Own Business
You’ll need to spend money to make money.

5 Credit Card Features You Wish You Had — That Actually Exist
Choose your own rewards? Sure!

6 estate planning tips even broke people need to take

July 16, 2015 By Liz Weston

No one really wants to sit around thinking about what will happen if they get seriously sick or so incapacitated they can’t make sound financial decisions — let alone contemplate the actual D word. But that doesn’t mean you can forget about estate planning altogether. It won’t just go away if you ignore it, and you could be leaving yourself vulnerable in the future.

Maybe you have a will, which is usually the centerpiece of an estate plan and allows you to say who gets what when you die. But that won’t cover everything.

Even if you’re young or short on assets, you need to take steps to protect the quality of your life and the lives you leave behind. My column for Daily Worth shows you how.

Elsewhere on the web, I disagree with Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley over financial aid in my column for Reuters.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

July 15, 2015 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How a secured credit card could help you build your credit. Also in the news: Generations X and Y race to prepare for retirement, how to handle your debt when you’ve lost your job, and an identity theft reveals how he empties your bank account.

The Best Secured Credit Cards in America
How to build or improve your credit.

Gen X Vs. Gen Y: How Retirement Ready Is Each Generation?
Which generation is best prepared for retirement?

What to Do About Debt When You’ve Lost Your Job
You cannot ignore it.

An Identity Thief Explains the Art of Emptying Your Bank Account
It’s shockingly easy.

4 phone calls that can save you a ton of money
Savings are just a phone call away.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

July 14, 2015 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: What happens if you get caught lying on your FAFSA? Also in the news: Why your financial life is a mess, which interest rate you should choose, and the credit score every small business owner should understand.