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 […]

Continue reading...

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 […]

Continue reading...

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 […]

Continue reading...

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 […]

Continue reading...

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 […]

Continue reading...

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 […]

Continue reading...

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 […]

Continue reading...

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 7 credit card rules you can break in an emergency. Also in the news: How Gen X can start tackling its credit card debt, 6 tips to help your portfolio weather the coronavirus crash, and how to prep for and spend your government relief check. 7 Credit Card ‘Rules’ You Can Break […]

Continue reading...

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Laid off due to Coronavirus? Take these 6 steps. Also in the news: NerdWallet Experts’ tips on handling finances during coronavirus, my experience flying from Mexico to the U.S. during the Coronavirus pandemic, and how to make a will during the Coronavirus lockdown. Laid Off Due to Coronavirus? Take These 6 Steps […]

Continue reading...

How to create a retirement paycheck that lasts

Saving and investing for retirement may actually be easier than deciding how to safely spend what you’ve accumulated. Withdraw too much and you could run out of money. Withdraw too little and you might stint on some retirement pleasures you could actually afford. Taxes and Medicare premiums should be considered, too, since both could be […]

Continue reading...