Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Liz's Blog

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Smart strategies for fighting back against inflation. Also in the news: Easing into credit cards with a simple cash-back card, Medicare and dental implants, and these 6 psychological biases may be holding you back from building wealth.

Wary of Credit Cards? Ease In With a Simple Cash-Back Card
No-fee, flat-rate cash-back cards offer useful rewards and benefits as beginners learn about credit cards.

Smart Strategies for Fighting Back Against Inflation
Plan purchases carefully and trade variable-rate debt for fixed interest rates to help offset rising prices.

Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants?
Original Medicare doesn’t cover dental implants, but you may be able to find coverage elsewhere.

These 6 psychological biases may be holding you back from building wealth
How to overcome them.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How COVID-fueled crowdfunding can revive small businesses. Also in the news: How point and mile values have changed over the pandemic, the one trick to traveling cheaply, and this tool tells you what you owe the IRS before they come looking for it.

How COVID-Fueled Crowdfunding Can Revive Small Businesses
Tips for launching an effective campaign.

How Have Point and Mile Values Changed Over the Pandemic?
For the most part, airline miles are worth more than they were last year, while hotel points are worth less.

There’s Just One Trick to Traveling Cheaply: Flexibility
To fly for the lowest price, you should try searching without a specific destination or date in mind.

This Tool Tells You What You Owe the IRS Before They Come Looking for It
Beating the IRS to the punch.

Smart strategies to fight back against inflation

By

Few economists predict we’ll return to the double-digit price increases of the late 1970s and early 1980s. But knowing some of the ways consumers coped back then — and how things are different now — can help you formulate a plan to deal with rising prices.

First, a primer: Inflation shrinks your purchasing power, so you need more money to buy the same goods and services. When inflation averages less than 2%, as it did from 2010 to 2020, it would take more than 35 years for prices to double. When inflation averages 5%, which was the annualized rate reported in May, prices would double in less than 15 years. That is a huge deal if you live on a fixed income or are trying to calculate how much you’ll need in retirement.

In my latest for the Associated Press, strategies that may prove helpful.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: What Gen Z can learn from Millennials’ money mistakes. Also in the news: How points and miles credit cards can ease the return to travel, financial vital signs to monitor right now, and the Biden administration makes it easier to qualify for Covid funeral reimbursement.

What Gen Z Can Learn From Millennials’ Money Mistakes
As millennials have learned, if you put off getting your financial life organized, your options are limited later.

How Points and Miles Credit Cards Can Ease Return to Travel
Compatibility is essential when it comes to consideration of travel credit card offers.

Financial Vital Signs to Monitor Right Now
Taking a mid-year checkup.

Biden administration makes it easier to qualify for Covid funeral reimbursement
Amended death certificates are no longer necessary.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Financial vital signs to monitor right now. Also in the news: July’s mortgage outlook, pandemic college enrollment, and how to make some cash before returning to school.

Financial Vital Signs to Monitor Right Now
A midyear financial review is often a good idea.

Mortgage Outlook: July Rates to Shrug and Stay the Course
A look at what could happen this month.

Pandemic Sinks College Enrollment Again, but Fall Looks Brighter
Community colleges saw enrollment drop most, but analysts expect a recovery for all types of institutions this fall.

How to Make Some Cash Before Heading Back to School
Tips for landing a summer job.