The online landscape is littered with horrible personal finance advice: teenagers promoting day trading strategies, “influencers” flogging questionable investment schemes and people with dubious credentials insisting you shouldn’t invest in a 401(k). Outrageous statements and flashy graphics grab attention, but there’s also plenty of sound, factually correct money content out there — and some of […]
Recent Blog Posts
Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Avoid the risks of having multiple buy now, pay later loans. Also in the news: Why you should contact the manufacturer directly, recalled infant formulas, and how to get a free upgrade to first class (or score the cheapest possible seat). Avoid the Risks of Having Multiple Buy Now, Pay Later Loans […]
Q&A: Government pensions and Social Security
Dear Liz: Both of my parents have been retired for over 25 years. My father collects Social Security but my mother didn’t have enough quarters to collect. Both have Postal Service retirements. Can my mother file and get half of my father’s amount? Can they get back payments for 25 years? Answer: The answer to both questions […]
Q&A: How a living trust helps your heirs after you die
Dear Liz: My husband and I made a living trust in 2004. He died in 2018, so his half became irrevocable. But while we were settling his estate, no one mentioned (though I can see clearly in the 2004 flow sheet) that all the assets from his half went into a survivor’s trust, controlled by me. I had […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: A financial checklist for quitting your job. Also in the news: Is it better to reprice or refinance a loan, how to talk to a real human being at the IRS. A Financial Checklist for Quitting Your Job Plan your exit to maximize the time and money you’ve put in over the years. […]
Thursday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: The surge in mortgage rates. Also in the news: What caring for an aging parent could cost you, A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on building your financial smarts with Bola Sokunbi The Property Line: What’s With the Surge in Mortgage Rates? Rising mortgage rates have outpaced expectations for the start […]