For the past few years, financial services companies have been bugging me to name a “trusted contact.” Banks, brokerages and insurers increasingly want to have someone to call or email in case they notice suspicious activity and can’t reach the account holder. I ignored these requests. Trusted contacts are a great idea for older people […]
Recent Blog Posts
Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Mortgage Outlook in March. Also in the news: Balancing Hopes, Dreams and a Low-Paying College Major, Smart Money podcast on the tax, and how to safely tap home equity in a financial emergency. Mortgage Outlook: Rates Could Keep Climbing in March Mortgage rates are more likely to go up than go down in […]
Q&A: Worried about identity theft? Here are some things you can do
Dear Liz: Last week I received my annual mortgage interest report. The envelope was not sealed and my full Social Security number was exposed. Two days later, I received an e-mail from PayPal for a purchase made online in my name with a different address. What do I need to do to protect myself from identity […]
Q&A: A gray area in required distributions
Dear Liz: I’ve reached that “certain age” when I should be taking required minimum distributions from my retirement accounts. I retired from full-time work at age 65 but continued doing small jobs at an hourly rate for that same employer. I set my own hours and earn just a couple thousand bucks a year. The company […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: 3 business loan application mistakes and how to avoid them. Also in the news: New tax reporting requirements and the five stages of a market bubble. 3 Business Loan Application Mistakes and How to Avoid Them When applying for a business loan, choose the right lender, organize your paperwork and seek advice from […]
Thursday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Grimace-free ways to learn personal finance. Also in the news: How to stop anxiety from sabotaging your investments, and what to look for in a house if you want to start a family. Grimace-Free Ways to Learn Personal Finance Outrageous statements and flashy graphics grab attention, but there’s also plenty of sound, […]