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The magic of tidying up your money

May 26, 2015 By Liz Weston

ClutterFor the uninitiated, it probably seems weird that a book with the unlikely title “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” can be a New York Times bestseller–or that the introverted Japanese author Marie Kondo is now so famous she can no longer ride the Tokyo subway for fear of being mobbed.

Kondo contradicts a lot of the accepted wisdom about the best ways to organize, urging marathon sessions and encouraging people only to keep what “sparks joy.”

Here’s how the New York magazine writer Molly Young describes the appeal:

In theory, Kondo should translate poorly to American audiences. We don’t like being scolded, we don’t like foreigners telling us how to live, we don’t like our sloppily balled socks treaded on. We don’t like paying $16.99 for 224 pages of nagging. Our roommates and spouses do that for free.

But Kondo doesn’t nag. Instead, she urges a kind of animistic tenderness toward everyday belongings…Kondo’s thesis—that the world is filled with worthy recipients of mercy, including lightweight-microfiber ones—is as lovely as it is alien. It’s empathy as an extreme sport.

While reading the book, it struck me that while you may not want to apply all Kondo’s principles to your stuff, they actually work pretty well when applied to your money. For more, read my DailyWorth column, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up Your Finances.”

 

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: DailyWorth, finances, Marie Kondo, organizing, organizing personal finances

Friday’s need-to-know money news

May 22, 2015 By Liz Weston

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Big changes are coming to your credit report. Also in the news: Excuses for not saving for retirement, how your social life changes when you’re saving money, and what to do as you approach retirement.

Big Changes to Credit Reports Are on the Way: What It Means for You
A new way of handling disputes.

5 Poor Excuses People Have for Not Saving for Retirement
No excuses!

Why Saving Money Means Changing, Not Eliminating, How You Socialize
No reason to become anti-social.

5 Things to Do Now if You’re Near Retirement
Start getting ready!

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Reports, disputes, retirement savings, saving money

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

May 21, 2015 By Liz Weston

321562-data-breachesToday’s top story: Health insurer CareFirst is hit with a massive data breach. Also in the news: How to dive into the investment pool, when you shouldn’t use a credit card, and identity theft facts that will terrify you.

1.1 Million User Records Stolen From Health Insurer CareFirst
Another day, another data breach.

5 Tips First-Time Investors Need to Know
Jumping into the investment pool.

3 Times You Shouldn’t Use a Credit Card
Using your card wisely.

Are you susceptible to a ‘cracking card’ scam?
How to safeguard your cards.

5 Identity Theft Facts That Will Terrify You
Fear can be a good thing.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Blue Cross, card cracking, CareFirst, credit card tips, data breach, Identity Theft, Investing

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

May 20, 2015 By Liz Weston

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: What to do when your car loan outlasts your car. Also in the news: What to buy during this weekend’s Memorial Day sales, how to plan for semi-retirement, and how to trick yourself into spending less by using direct deposit.

What to Do If Your Car Loan Outlasts Your Car
Your options are limited, but they exist.

Best Things to Buy at Memorial Day Weekend Sales
Get the most bang for your buck.

How to Plan for Semi-Retirement
Choosing to work instead of having to work.

Direct Deposit Into Your Savings To Trick Yourself Into Spending Less
You won’t even miss it.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: car loans, direct deposit, Memorial Day sales, Retirement, Savings, semi-retirement

Is your car part of the airbag recall?

May 20, 2015 By Liz Weston

gravestoneIt would be good to know if your car is one of the 34 million with potentially defective airbags than can explode and kill you in an accident. You may need a little patience to find out.

The government Web site that can allow you to look up recalls by your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) seems to be overwhelmed at the moment. You also can call the hotline at 888-327-4236 and request a callback (I’m still waiting). Even if your car isn’t currently listed, you still have to check back regularly to see if it gets added.

If your car is affected, there won’t be a charge for the fix. You can contact any dealer of your vehicle to schedule the repair, according to the Consumer Federation of America. You also can ask your dealer or the manufacturer for a loaner car if there will be an extended wait.

After a decade of denial, Japanese airbag manufacturer finally admitted its airbags were defected and widened a recall to 34 million vehicles. You don’t want to ignore this serious issue–the sooner you contact a dealer, the sooner you can get on the list for a repair, said Jack Gillis, CFA’s automotive expert and author of The Car Book, published with the Center for Auto Safety.

 

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: airbags, autos, cars, Consumer Federation of America, defects, recall, Takata, vehicle identification number

Don’t pay for student loan help

May 19, 2015 By Liz Weston

Customer Support liarI just got another recorded call from a woman who cheerfully told me that my student loans had been “flagged” to qualify for a new federal program, just approved by Congress, to help me pay my debt. The fact that I’ve never had a student loan is, surely, just a minor detail.

People fall for these scams all the time, paying good money to get help they could have found for free. Right now, there’s a free student loan hotline you can call to get your questions answered and find out about your options. It’s available today, tomorrow and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Eastern. Check it out at The Borrowers Hotline.

If you miss the hotline window, you can find answers to your questions at the U.S. Department of Education and at Student Loan Borrower Assistance, a site run by the National Consumer Law Center.

 

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: federal student loans, financial aid, loan repayment, private student loans, student debt, Student Loan Borrower Assistance, student loan scams, Student Loans, The Borrowers Hotline, U.S. Department of Education

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