Q&A: How to figure out if your student loan qualifies for coronavirus relief

Dear Liz: I’m confused about what help is being offered to people with student loans. At first I heard interest was waived but payments had to be made. Then supposedly the stimulus package made payments optional. Is there something I have to do to get relief or is it automatic? Answer: If your student loans […]

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Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: COVID-19 loan options and payment relief. Also in the news: Why you shouldn’t give your adult kids your house, managing the high cost of infertility, and when you’ll get your Coronavirus relief check. COVID-19: Loan Options and Payment Relief Lenders respond to the pandemic. Don’t Give Your Adult Kids Your House Good […]

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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: SmartMoney Podcast – Coronavirus and your portfolio. Also in the news: How to suspend or cancel car insurance temporarily, what to do when the Coronavirus crisis delays your wedding day, and Coronavirus food delivery options and how your credit card can help. SmartMoney Podcast: Coronavirus and Your Portfolio Managing the toll on […]

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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to do when your Coronavirus stockpile runs low. Also in the news: How expanded Coronavirus unemployment benefits work, buy a car at a safe distance with a No-Touch deal, and how to lift or cancel a credit freeze. What to Do When Your Coronavirus Stockpile Runs Low Shopping strategically. How Expanded […]

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Don’t give your adult kids your house

Adding an adult child to your house deed, or giving them the home outright, might seem like a smart thing to do. It usually isn’t. Transferring your house to your kids while you’re alive may avoid probate, the court process that otherwise follows death. But gifting a home also can result in a big, unnecessary […]

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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to do if you’re laid off due to Coronavirus. Also in the news: Coronavirus relief for small businesses and the self-employed, free ways to protect your mental health, and 4 things to do for your parents during the Coronavirus outbreak. What to Do if You’re Laid Off Due to Coronavirus One […]

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Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Does life insurance cover deaths from Coronavirus? Also in the news: Everything you need to know about Coronavirus stimulus checks, how expanded Coronavirus unemployment benefits work, and what to do if you can’t pay rent this month. Does Life Insurance Cover Deaths From Coronavirus? Looking at the exceptions. Coronavirus Stimulus Checks: How […]

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Q&A: Inheriting an IRA can get messy

Dear Liz: My brother passed away at age 47. My mother was named beneficiary of his retirement account. We opened an inherited IRA under her name. Sadly, my mother recently passed away, and my father is the beneficiary of the account. Does my father open a regular IRA or inherited IRA? How would the title […]

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Q&A: Car repo is a nonstarter

Dear Liz: I had to move to assisted living due to a stroke. I no longer need my car — or the car payment. Can I simply stop paying and let it be repossessed? There are about 18 months to go before it’s paid off. I don’t need great credit anymore and our current expenses […]

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Q&A: Those IRS coronavirus-extended deadlines apply to more than just taxes

Dear Liz: Now that we’re not required to file our taxes until July 15 this year, has anything been said about pushing back the 2019 contribution deadline for IRAs and Roth IRAs? Answer: The IRS recently confirmed that the deadline for making contributions to IRAs has also been extended to July 15. The deadlines were […]

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