This week’s top story: First-time home buyer affordability report – Q2 2024. In other news: September mortgage outlook, weekly mortgage rates drop, and pay interest while in school. First-Time Home Buyer Affordability Report – Q2 2024 Making a larger down payment or choosing a less desirable home could make this initial purchase easier, but not all […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: After her husband died, a widow’s credit limit plummeted
Dear Liz: You’ve mentioned how important it is for spouses to each have credit cards on which they are the primary account holder. My husband died last year. We had a credit card with statements that showed the charges we each had made on our separately numbered credit cards. I found the account was in his […]
Q&A: Beware the insurance salesperson in financial planner’s clothing
Dear Liz: Do you have any general advice for choosing a tax preparer? My financial advisor has recommended switching my 403(b) contributions over to Roth 403(b) with the same investment plan. I am worried that this could put us at risk for a higher tax bracket currently. Answer: Ideally, a financial advisor wouldn’t recommend switching to a […]
Q&A: A parent had life insurance, but the companies are gone. What to do?
Dear Liz: My mother died last year. I discovered she had two old life insurance policies written by companies that no longer exist. How can I determine which modern insurance company is responsible for policies written by these old companies? How can I submit a claim? My mother was born in 1932. The first policy began […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: 6 milestones and how they might change your life insurance needs. In other news: First EV road trip, weekly mortgage rates, and how to land the financial helicopter to support grown kids. 6 Milestones and How They Might Change Your Life Insurance Needs Getting married, welcoming kids and starting a business are […]
Are two savings accounts safer than one?
Dear Liz: My wife and I will be receiving a sizable amount of money. We want to put the money into a high-yield joint savings account. We don’t want to exceed the FDIC protection. Can we each open joint accounts at the same bank and have each account covered up to the $250,000 limit? Answer: That’s not […]