Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Liz's Blog

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Where to turn when a natural disaster upends your finances. Also in the news: 5 ways women can combat investing disadvantages, Ask a Travel Nerd on when to book holiday travel, and why your rent is often more than a mortgage payment.

Where to Turn When a Natural Disaster Upends Your Finances
Act quickly to get free aid first, then turn to financial tasks like contacting insurers and creditors.

5 Ways Women Can Combat Investing Disadvantages
Here are some of the investing disadvantages Americans say women have, and advice on how to overcome them.

Ask a Travel Nerd: Is It Time to Book Holiday Travel Yet?
Despite ongoing uncertainty caused by the pandemic, it still makes sense to book your holiday travel early.

Why Your Rent Is Often More Than a Mortgage Payment
The extra costs baked into your monthly rent.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How to get free money for college and help to find it. Also in the news: 4 alternatives to big banks, workplace scams to watch out for, and unexpected things you could buy with crypto.

You Can Get Free Money for College — and Help Finding It
The FAFSA qualifies you for federal financial aid. And it’s not too late to submit it for this academic year.

Tired of Your Big Bank? Consider These 4 Alternatives
Become more than just a number.

Scam Alert: Avoid a Big Mistake in a New Job
CEO fraud and other scams try to get employees to purchase gift cards, send money or divulge sensitive information.

Unexpected Things You Didn’t Know You Could Buy With Crypto
From home goods to travel.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Pandemic puts personal finance on high school agenda. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on Delta spending habits and marriage vs. mortgage, 4 new rules for entrepreneurs in 2021, and the mortgage outlook for September.

Pandemic Puts Personal Finance on High School Agenda
“Educators say there’s never been more interest in the subject from students and parents.”

Smart Money Podcast: Delta Spending Habits and Marriage vs. Mortgage
How the Delta variant is changing the way people spend money.

4 New Rules for Entrepreneurs in 2021
How COVID has rewritten the rules.

Mortgage Outlook: September Rates to Ascend, Then Level Off
What to expect in the month ahead.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How to bounce back from an income drop. Also in the news: 5 tips for fostering a successful hybrid workplace, is the Fed to blame for high home prices, and why right now might be the best time to sell your car.

When Your Income Drops, Here’s How to Bounce Back
Recovering from an income drop depends on quickly cutting back expenses while also tackling the emotional stress.

5 Tips for Fostering a Successful Hybrid Workplace
Breaking old office habits and seeking employee input early and often can help create a successful hybrid workplace.

The Property Line: Blame the Fed for High Home Prices?
House prices are skyrocketing for multiple reasons. The Federal Reserve is just one piece of the puzzle.

Why Now Might Be the Best Time to Sell Your Car
Used cars have never been hotter.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: 5 ways to prepare and pack for COVID-Era travel. Also in the news: 8 safety tips for solo female travel, how doing a subscription detox could plug monthly budget leaks, and how to take advantage of (and keep) a high credit score.

5 Ways to Prepare and Pack for COVID-Era Travel
A lot has changed in the travel world since the pre-pandemic days of 2019.

8 Safety Tips for Solo Female Travel
Traveling solo as a woman has its challenges, but these tips can help you avoid unwanted situations.

Doing a Subscription Detox Could Plug Monthly Budget Leaks
Take a look at auto-renewing subscriptions — should you go cold turkey or use a more targeted approach?

How to Take Advantage of (and Keep) a High Credit Score
Reaping the rewards.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: 4 common debt consolidation mistakes and how to avoid them. Also in the news: Inflation could be sapping your pandemic savings, how your driving habits can lower your insurance bills, and how lifestyle creep can erode your savings one raise at a time.

4 Common Debt Consolidation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Before you consolidate, build your credit, assess your budget and compare consolidating to other debt payoff strategies.

As Pandemic Saving Settles, Inflation Could Sap Your Surplus
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many Americans have been able to tuck away more cash than ever before.

How Your Driving Habits Can Lower Your Insurance Bill
Telematics insurance can help you lower your car insurance rates, as long as you’re a safe driver.

Lifestyle Creep: Eroding Your Savings, One Raise at a Time
Lifestyle creep may put your retirement savings at risk more than anything else.