Get smart with your money
Dear Liz: I read that you can pay Social Security back the payments you’ve received in order to “reset the clock” and get a larger benefit. Is that true or did I misunderstand the article? My husband started two years ago to claim Social Security benefits at age 67, but if he had waited until […]
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Dear Liz: I am from Germany. I have had a bank account in America for over one year. Now I get my FICO score. After six months it was 738, half a year later, it was 771 and one month after that, 759. Why does it change in such a short time? Is it the […]
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Today’s top story: Don’t let lifestyle creep sneak up on you. Also in the news: 7 steps to buying a house, do you need a tax ID number, and how to make sure you don’t lose your credit card rewards when closing the card. Don’t Let Lifestyle Creep Sneak Up on You Living within your […]
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Today’s top story: Don’t be duped by these phone and email scams. Also in the news: Help with checking your finances, how a single mom paid off nearly $80K in debt in eight months, and 1 in 5 Americans are hiding this financial secret from their spouses. Don’t Be Duped by These Phone and Email […]
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Today’s top story: Regretting your Equifax settlement choice? You can change it. Also in the news: What to buy (and skip) in August, considering CDs as savings interest rates fall, and how to wean your adult child off your credit cards. Regrets About Your Equifax Settlement Choice? You Can Change It You might want that […]
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Today’s top story: How to protect yourself after the Capital One data breach. Also in the news: Things to watch out for in the Equifax data breach settlement, why you need a midyear budget check-in, and how much you’ll need to invest each month in order to retire with a million dollars. How to Protect […]
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Some of us in the personal finance realm have a weird little hobby: We try to scam the scam artists. We’re not out to steal their money — just their time. When fraudsters call to say we’re about to be arrested for tax debt, our Social Security number has been “suspended,” or a loved one […]
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Today’s top story: Is your debt good or bad? Also in the news: How to get a copy of your tax returns or an IRS transcript, why you might not get $125 in Equifax settlement money, and 13 tips for throwing a budget-friendly kid’s birthday party. Is Your Debt ‘Good’ or ‘Bad’? It Depends How […]
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Dear Liz: Does requesting a credit limit increase on a credit card affect your credit score in any way? Answer: Such a request can result in a hard inquiry on your credit reports, which can slightly ding your scores. If you get the increase, though, that usually has a positive effect on your scores. Credit […]
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Dear Liz: I am leaving a good friend a bequest in my will. He receives government benefits, including disability, Supplemental Security Income and Medi-Cal (California’s version of Medicaid). I am beginning to be concerned that if he inherits the money, it could mess him up more than help him. Is there a way to leave […]
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