Ask Liz Weston

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

February 19, 2020 By Liz Weston

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: When and how to say no to extended car warranties. Also in the news: How to save money with used baby items, medical expenses you can deduct on your taxes, and why you really need to set up automatic credit card payments. Extended Car Warranties: When and How to Say No Don’t […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: automatic credit card payments, baby items, extended car warranties, medical expenses, tax deductions, tips

February 19, 2020 By Liz Weston

Beware of these overhyped financial strategies

A good rule of thumb when you’re trying to eat healthy is to beware of any food you see advertised. The most beneficial fare — whole grains, fruits, vegetables — tends not to have a marketing budget. Similarly, investments that are enthusiastically pushed by commission-earning salespeople may not be the best for your financial health. […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: fee-only financial planners, financial strategies

February 18, 2020 By Liz Weston

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Identity theft protection you may not know you already have. Also in the news: How auto insurers use you non-driving habits to raise prices, how younger consumers can get a credit boost from their elders, and how to close a credit card the right way. Identity Theft Protection You May Not Know […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: auto insurance, closing credit cards, Credit Score, Identity Theft, identity theft protection, price optimization

February 17, 2020 By Liz Weston

Q&A: Handling money after marriage can be complicated. Mom and Dad should butt out

Dear Liz: My son just married. He and his wife are keeping totally separate finances, though he makes much more than she does. She is spending way more than she should on household items and services. Is this the new norm for relationships? What kind of professional do we contact that could help them with […]

Filed Under: Couples & Money, Q&A Tagged With: couples and money, q&a

February 17, 2020 By Liz Weston

Q&A: IRMAA is not your friend

Dear Liz: My wife and I retired in 2019 and ran into IRMAA — Medicare’s income-related monthly adjustment amount, which increased our monthly premiums. I thought I’d done such a good job budgeting for retirement but missed this. A lot of couples have their best income years at the end of their career and then […]

Filed Under: Medicare, Q&A, Retirement Tagged With: IRMAA, Medicare, medicare premiums, q&a, Retirement

February 17, 2020 By Liz Weston

Q&A: Tax tips for hybrid owners

Dear Liz: Not a question, but a tip for your readers. I bought a plug-in hybrid in 2018. I couldn’t take advantage of the $7,500 federal tax credit because my income was too low to pay much in federal taxes. So I converted $30,000 of my IRA to a Roth IRA, which added that money […]

Filed Under: Q&A, Taxes Tagged With: hybrid cars, q&a, Taxes

February 14, 2020 By Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Haven’t filed a tax return lately? You can still get a refund. Also in the news: The ultimate travel tip for couples, a new tax form that may help simplify filing for seniors, and what Trump’s budget plan would mean for you student loan debt. Haven’t Filed a Tax Return Lately? You […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: refunds, Student Loans, tax returns, taxes and seniors, travel tips for couples, Trump budget

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