Liz's Blog

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

June 20, 2013 By Liz Weston

Protecting your finances while on the road this summer, prioritizing your debt and how to find a job after graduation.

The 10 Commandments of Summer Travel
Thou shall follow these tips to keep your finances and identity safe this summer.

Sizzlin’ Summer Financial Reads
Feed your mind while working on your tan.

Which to Tackle First: High-Interest Debt or Small-Balance Debt?
The best methods for prioritizing your debt.

How I Found a Job After Graduation
Seven recent grads share their employment world successes.

Is Your Neighbor Hurting Your Home’s Value?
Bad neighbors can lead to bad home values.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

June 19, 2013 By Liz Weston

The myth of open houses, the credit report you never knew about and how to avoid being squeezed by airlines.

The Credit Report You Haven’t Seen Yet

How “alternative credit data” could help you get approved at lower rates.

Cyber-thieves: More Tips on How to Protect Yourself From Credit Card Theft

Protecting you and your credit from cyber-theft.

Are Open Houses a Waste of Sellers’ Time?

Open Houses are not only a waste of time; they could be an open invitation to thieves.

The Worst Fee-Greedy Airlines

From bag fees to charging to make reservations by phone, airlines are determined to squeeze as much money out of passengers as possible.

When to Buy a Mutual Fund

There’s money to be made in mutual funds, if you have the patience.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

June 18, 2013 By Liz Weston

Tips on summer finances, the dangers of excessive mortgages and how not to turn your home into a money pit.

How to Save More Money This Month
Six ideas to help you get through June without breaking the bank.

No, You Shouldn’t Take Out the Largest Mortgage Possible
Don’t be tempted by still-low mortgage rates.

How to Give Your Finances a Summer Makeover
Ten tips on strengthening your finances over the summer months.

Nail Your Home Renovation Budget
How to ensure your home does not become a money pit.

How to Avoid a Summer Vacation Disaster
Don’t let your summer vacation turn into a summer nightmare.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

June 17, 2013 By Liz Weston

What to watch out for with credit cards, when you need to pay U.S. taxes and a possible light at the end of the student loan tunnel.

How to Stop a Neverending Student Loan Nightmare

Could there be a real solution to the student loan crisis?

The Case Against Credit Cards: Overspending, Obesity, Inequality

Credit can be a helpful tool, but it also may make us “dumber, fatter, poorer.”

Living Abroad? Your ‘Tax Home’ Could Still Be U.S.

How to pay U.S. tax rates while living in your newly purchased English manor.

How to Get the Most Value From Your Home Inspection

The home inspection could be the most important part of your potential sale.

What’s a father worth?

June 15, 2013 By Liz Weston

About $23,000, according to this post from Insure. com:

Insure.com’s 2013 Father’s Day Index puts Dad’s household tasks at $23,344 a year, up from last year’s $20,248. The increase is largely due to higher mean hourly wages for drivers, teachers, coaches and plumbers, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

…

Moms will likely feel slighted this year. Although Mom’s 2013 value is higher than Dad’s at just under $60,000, mothers have been seeing their value drop every year.

These surveys have to be taken with a grain of salt. The ones that put Mom’s value in the six figures need a whole shaker, since they typically value Mom’s contributions as chauffeur, cook and event organizer at the same rates you’d pay a top-ranked professional–rather than the amount you’d pay a nanny or other caregiver to perform the same functions.

But still, they’re kind of fun to read, and they could remind you that life without Dad (or Mom) could be expensive, which is why you want life insurance if others are financially dependent on you.