Ask Liz Weston

February 27, 2020 By Liz Weston

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: When the market drops, play the long game with retirement savings. Also in the news: Is booking a last-minute spring break flight with miles a good idea, a credit union’s new card goes all-in with 3X points, and how to get a credit card when you’re already in debt. When the Market […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: ask a points nerd, Credit Cards, credit union, miles, retirement savings, rewards, spring break, stock market, Tropical financial credit union

February 26, 2020 By Liz Weston

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Credit cards that earn 2% cash back or more on purchases. Also in the news: Most Americans go mobile with payment apps, why you shouldn’t let your credit score define you, and the best tax preparation software of 2020. Credit Cards That Earn 2% Cash Back or More on Purchases Reward simplicity. […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: credit card rewards, Credit Score, mobile payment apps, tax preparation software

February 26, 2020 By Liz Weston

Should you shift to a cash management account?

High-yield cash management accounts are popping up at brokerages nationwide, promising customers much better returns and higher insurance limits than they can get from traditional banks. The accounts are a twist on the sweep accounts brokerages have long offered their customers, where idle cash is swept into a money market account or affiliated bank account […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: banking, cash management accounts, Savings

February 25, 2020 By Liz Weston

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Home Down payment – more attainable than you may think. Also in the news: The best balance transfer credit cards for business, the SmartMoney podcast tackles converting an IRA to a Roth, and how to avoid higher airline baggage fees. Home Down Payment: More Attainable Than You May Think Big down payments […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: airline baggage fees, balance transfer credit cards, IRA, Roth, SmartMoney podcast

February 24, 2020 By Liz Weston

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How the IRS knows if you cheat on your taxes. Also in the news: 3 reasons to pay for spring break with a travel credit card, alternative options if you can’t find an affordable FHA-approved home, and why the bank holds your deposit for 9 days on new accounts. How the IRS […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: banking deposits, Credit Cards, FHA-approved homes, IRS, reward points, spring break, tax cheats, Taxes

February 24, 2020 By Liz Weston

Q&A: To build credit, try this set-it-and-forget-it trick

Dear Liz: I have little credit history and my Experian credit score is about 620. My wife has no credit history. We are in the process of increasing our creditworthiness. I have an unsecured credit card from my credit union. She will be getting a secured credit card. We will use these lightly and regularly, […]

Filed Under: Credit Scoring, Q&A Tagged With: Credit, credit building, q&a, tips

February 24, 2020 By Liz Weston

Q&A: Delaying Social Security benefits

Dear Liz: My wife is a retired schoolteacher who has a pension. Because she is subject to the government pension offset, she will not be eligible for my Social Security benefit when I pass. My plan was to wait until 70 to file to maximize my benefit. This usually has the advantage of also increasing […]

Filed Under: Q&A, Social Security Tagged With: delaying benefits, q&a, Social Security

February 24, 2020 By Liz Weston

Q&A: An emergency kit document hack

Dear Liz: Thanks for answering my question about storing hard copies of financial services records for emergency preparedness. My wife and I finally reached a compromise: We printed out our account numbers, but we attached code names to them that only we would recognize. Now both of us are comfortable that even though someone might […]

Filed Under: Identity Theft, Q&A, The Basics Tagged With: data protection, emergency kit, follow up, q&a

February 21, 2020 By Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Make your brand loyalty pay off. Also in the news: When your new car have more tech than you know what to do with, one thing to know when filing your taxes, and beware email attachment scams this tax season. Make Your Brand Loyalty Pay Off Cash in on your devotion. Does […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: brand loyalty, email attachment scams, new car shopping, new cars, rewards, tax assistance, tax scams, Taxes

February 20, 2020 By Liz Weston

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Beware of these overhyped financial strategies. Also in the news: How to get car insurance quotes online the smart way, how often should you shop around for car insurance, and what to know about the marriage tax penalty. Beware of These Overhyped Financial Strategies Looking out for your best interests. How to […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: car insurance, fee-only financial planners, financial strategies, marriage tax penalty, online car insurance quotes

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