Dear Liz: You often recommend in your column to seek the advice of a fee-only financial planner. Where would I find such a financial planner? Our understanding is that a person has to have at least $1 million of savings to invest before a “fee-only” financial planner will consult with you. Can you be more […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: House transfer in a trust
Dear Liz: My dad set up a living trust that included his house, which has a mortgage on it. The lender accepted the transfer of the home to the trust. Dad recently passed away so the house should transfer to my sister and myself. Can the lender trigger the due-on-sale clause? Or make me or […]
Q&A: IRA intricacies when one spouse isn’t working
Dear Liz: Due to the pandemic, I did not work during 2020. Can I contribute to a spousal IRA for 2020 since my husband still has an income and will be contributing to his Roth IRA? Does it need to be a separate account from my existing IRAs? Answer: As long as your husband has […]
Thursday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: If you need to find tax help, try DIY first. Also in the news: Can you still buy a used rental car at a bargain, the mortgage outlook for April, and when to expect your delayed stimulus check if you’re a Social Security recipient. If You Need to Find Tax Help, Try […]
Wednesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Spring travel ahead? One airline is prioritizing customer safety. Also in the news: Considering elite airline status in 2021, taking some of the mystery out of buying a house sight unseen, and how to build your credit without a credit card. Spring Travel Ahead? One Airline Is Prioritizing Customer Safety Delta is […]
If you need to find tax help, try DIY first
Getting help from the IRS this tax season is going to be a challenge. The IRS has finally opened the 23.4 million pieces of mail that piled up after the pandemic shuttered its processing centers last spring. But the agency still has a backlog of paperwork from last year even as it ingests this year’s […]