Liz's Blog

Giveaway: The Liz Weston library

February 25, 2014 By Liz Weston

Need to spring clean your finances? I’m giving away five sets of my two biggest sellers: “The 10 Commandments of Money” and “Your Credit Score.”

To enter to win, leave a comment here on my blog (not my Facebook page).

Click on the tab above the post that says “comments.” Make sure to include your email address, which won’t show up with your comment, but I’ll be able to see it.

If you haven’t commented before, it may take a little while for your comment to show up since comments are moderated. But rest assured, it will.

The winners will be chosen at random Friday night. Over the weekend, please check your email (including your spam filter). If I don’t hear from a winner by noon Pacific time on Monday, his or her prize will be forfeited and I’ll pick another winner.

Also, check back here often for other giveaways.

The deadline to enter is midnight Pacific time on Friday. So–comment away!

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

February 25, 2014 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: A security flaw in the iPhone could expose your information to hackers. Also in the news: How to transform your finances, reducing financial adviser fees, and what to do when your parents ask you for financial assistance.

Don’t Use Your iPhone Until You Read This
A security flaw is leaving personal and financial information vulnerable.

Transform Your Finances With One 3-Letter Word
No, it’s not “win” as in “win the lottery”.

Are excessive financial fees eating your returns?
Why it’s crucial to pay close attention to financial adviser fees.

6 Do’s and Don’ts for When Your Retired Parents Ask for Financial Help
The difficult questions to ask when roles are reversed.

Oklahoma requires students learn personal finance to graduate
High school students will have to have a working knowledge of personal finance.

A free guide to filling out the FAFSA–get it now!

February 24, 2014 By Liz Weston

Exciting news: One of the most-respected experts in financial aid has written a book about filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)–and right now you can get it as a free PDF download.

Mark Kantrowitz, who helmed FinAid.org for years and is now publisher of Edvisors, has this to say about the book he co-authored with David Levy, who has 30 years’ experience as a university financial aid director:

The book is packed with 250 pages of insights and advice about filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), along with a step-by-step guide to completing the application form. There are tips about increasing eligibility for need-based aid, avoiding the most common errors and appealing for more student aid. I have attached a tip sheet about Filing the FAFSA that is based on the book.

If you have a kid heading off to college, this book is a must read. To get the book, register (also for free) at the Edvisors site. The book is also available to buy on Amazon in paperback for $24.95. The Kindle version is $8.95.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

February 21, 2014 By Liz Weston

Today’s big story: What you can get removed from your credit report. Also in the news: How to tell if your partner is a sound financial match, which Olympic medal would your savings plan win, and why online dating can be hazardous to your wallet.

What Can I Get Removed From My Credit Reports?
Patience is key.

Want To Know If Your Partner Is A Financial Match? Take These 8 Steps
Financial compatibility is crucial in a relationship.

Which Olympic Medal Would Your Savings Habits Win?
Go for the gold!

The Financial Risks of Online Dating
That dreamboat on the screen could actually be a nightmare.

How I went from $50,000 in debt to $50,000 in savings
It can be done!

High school graduates are losing ground fast

February 21, 2014 By Liz Weston

We’ve known for awhile that incomes have been dropping for people with only high school educations. But there was a statistic in a recent Pew Research Center study that really set me back on my heels: 22% of people aged 25 to 32 who graduated high school, but not college, live in poverty. That compares to 6% of people with college degrees.

The poverty rate overall and for the college educated has doubled since 1979, when the early wave of the Baby Boom was in the same age bracket. For those with just a high school diploma, though, the rate has more than tripled.

Meanwhile, the earnings gap between college graduates and high school graduates is the widest it’s been in 50 years.

For more on the Pew study, read my latest Reuters column. You can subscribe here to weekly updates of my education column.