After a working lifetime of alarm clocks and meetings, you might be looking forward to a lot more unstructured time once you retire. But taking care of one more to-do list early on can set you up for a better retirement. The following assumes you’ve already done some basic financial planning. Ideally, before you retire, […]
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Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Why rising car prices make gap insurance worth a look. Also in the news: The fed interest rate hike, and what a credit card authorized user is, how to apply for a credit card, and how to handle a windfall. Why Rising Car Prices Make Gap Insurance Worth a Look If your car […]
Q&A: The ins and outs of I-bonds
Dear Liz: As you know, interest rates on certificates of deposit are extremely low. I was thinking of investing in government I-bonds. Can you discuss the pros and cons? Answer: I-bonds are guaranteed by the U.S. government and currently pay an interest rate of 7.12%. But they do have some downsides. The rate on Series I savings […]
Q&A: No cash-back offer on unused exemption
Dear Liz: When selling a home and qualifying for the $500,000 exemption, but only needing to use $250,000 of it, what happens to the unused balance? An accountant told my friend she would get it in cash, which sounds incorrect to me. Answer: You’re right — that’s not correct. It’s so incorrect, in fact, that your friend […]
Q&A: Why your estate plan might need a do-over
Dear Liz: We had a living trust done in 2006. The lawyer recently died and his office mailed us a packet with the trust document in it. We want to make a few changes. Every lawyer wants to do the whole thing over and have us sign papers giving them powers. Answer: Your estate plan is probably […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: What to look at before investing in a friend’s business venture. Also in the news: How Apple makes airport security less painful for some travelers, why you should stop using coupons, and 17 huge red flags from personal finance ‘influencers.’ Should You Invest in a Friend’s Business? Examine all angles before investing in […]