Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: I travel-hacked a college tour and saved $3,000 miles. Also in the news: How to fight back against being an online fraud target, 3 essential budget categories, and where to find deals on National Pizza Day. I Travel-Hacked a College Tour and Saved $3,000 An Amtrak sale inspired me to use points, […]

Continue reading...

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How ex-offenders can rebuild with a bank account. Also in the news: Determining how much you should spend on rent, how to have a baby even if you’re worried you can’t afford it, and how to handle awkward financial conversations. How Ex-Offenders Can Rebuild With a Bank Account Starting over. How Much […]

Continue reading...

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to avoid PMI when buying a home. Also in the news: Getting to know your scary new car, 8 African-American financial gurus to follow for 2020, and how to recertify your student loan repayment program. How to Avoid PMI When Buying a Home Ways around private mortgage insurance. Get to Know […]

Continue reading...

I travel-hacked a college tour and saved $3,000

Amtrak’s “buy one, get one” spring sale got me started. My teenage daughter and I had used a similar two-for-one deal last year to take an overnight train trip from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon. This year, she wanted to use her spring break to check out colleges in Chicago as well as the Pacific […]

Continue reading...

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 9 money resolutions and tips for 2020 from our experts. Also in the news: How one woman paid off nearly $125,000 of debt in nine years, how to pay off Parent PLUS loans faster, and why the IRS wants you to do your taxes early. 9 Money Resolutions (and Tips) for 2020 […]

Continue reading...

Q&A: Required distributions and charity

Dear Liz: In a recent column, you mentioned that after age 70½, one can donate up to $100,000 to a charity directly from an IRA. Can one still take that as a charitable donation on income tax forms? If I have a required minimum distribution of $10,000, but make a $10,000 donation to a charity, […]

Continue reading...

Q&A: Retirement plans by the numbers

Dear Liz: At the moment I contribute to a 403(b) retirement plan at work. I have another 403(b) with a former employer, but haven’t contributed to it since I changed jobs several years ago. Should I contribute to both rather than just one? Also, my current employer offers a deferred compensation plan, but they don’t […]

Continue reading...

Q&A: Something to leave out of your disaster kit: Original documents

Dear Liz: My wife and I are having a disagreement regarding documentation for our disaster recovery kit. She wants to put in hard copies of drivers’ licenses, credit cards, financial records, including bank and equity accounts. I think that all we need are account numbers, because the financial institutions will hold actual documentation in safer […]

Continue reading...

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How much you need to save every month to earn $60,000 a year in interest alone for retirement. Also in the news: 9 credit cards that provide travel insurance, how to turn your home into a moneymaker, and the easiest way to shop at warehouse clubs without a membership. How much you […]

Continue reading...