Q&A: Avoid this hidden risk to your retirement

Dear Liz: I have very low net worth and just inherited $500,000 from a cousin’s annuity. My net worth includes a $400,000 house with a $290,000 mortgage at 3.75%, IRA accounts of $65,000 and savings of $90,000. I also have a pension from which I receive $50,000 annually and from which our health insurance is […]

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Q&A: Avoiding Medicare sign-up penalties

Dear Liz: Someone recently asked you if signing up for Medicare is mandatory. Your answer implied no, one does not have to sign up at 65. However, it is my understanding that if a person does not enroll when first eligible, they will be hit with large penalties on their Medicare premiums if they sign […]

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Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Decode your credit card’s fine print like a pro. Also in the news: How to turn your upside-down car loan right-side up, a handy trick to help you save more for your next vacation, and what to do if your credit score drops. Decode Your Credit Card’s Fine Print Like a Pro […]

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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Moving to escape taxes? Make sure it’s a clean break. Also in the news: 4 smart ways to split bills with friends while traveling abroad, 5 auto-buying tips from a former undercover car salesman, and 7 tips for becoming an ethical shopper. Moving to Escape Taxes? Make Sure It’s a Clean Break […]

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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to do if you lose your credit card. Also in the news: Chime and Varo launch free programs to pay account overdrafts, half of student loan borrowers fear they’ll be in debt forever, and why you should never spend the money a bank accidentally deposits into your account. What to Do […]

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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to make living in a new place a reality. Also in the news: How one couple paid off $300k of debt in three years, what workers can learn from retirees’ regrets, and the average FICO score hits an all-time high. Dreaming of Living in a New Place? Here’s How to Make […]

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Moving to escape taxes? Make it a clean break

Breaking up can be hard to do if the other party doesn’t want to let you go. People who move out of high-tax states may learn this the hard way — through a residency audit. States such as New York, California and Illinois use the audits to claim that your recent interstate move was just […]

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Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 types of conventional loans all home buyers should know. Also in the news: How your credit score can save you money, why you need to verify your Equifax settlement claim, and why you need to be careful when deciding to claim Social Security based on break-even calculations. 6 Types of Conventional […]

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Q&A: Avoid this big mistake when paying off debt

Dear Liz: I am 49, single, with no kids. Until about three years ago, I wasn’t even sure how much credit card debt I had. I had less than $200 in savings and I was just plugging along making minimum payments. It turns out I had over $14,000 in credit card debt and $12,000 in student […]

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Q&A: Redirecting a 529 college savings plan

Dear Liz: Years ago when my children were young, we established 529 college savings plans for them. Unfortunately, both children ended up in the wrong crowds and never entered college. We still have the funds. What are our options? We do have a grandson now; would it be possible to change the beneficiary? Answer: Yes. […]

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