Dear Liz: Are the card companies required to use a certain exchange rate for foreign transactions? I’ve used two different cards for purchases abroad, and the one that charges a fee used a better exchange rate so the total cost to me, including the fee, was less. How can I find out what exchange rates […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: Should you pay for a financial plan before hiring an advisor?
Dear Liz: My spouse and I are retired. We have substantial investment assets, significant cash reserves and considerable equity in our home. Over nearly 40 years together, we’ve worked with several financial advisors, but every decade or so, we’ve become dissatisfied and moved on. Now, at this stage of life, we want a clearer roadmap for […]
Q&A: What should you do if an accountant ignores you?
Dear Liz: When my sister became somewhat disabled, I started handling her financial affairs. (I have a power of attorney.) She hadn’t paid her taxes for several years, so I worked with her accountant to get them filed and pay the necessary penalties. I thought she was up to date with both her federal and state […]
Q&A: Advisor may have overlooked tax bill alternatives
Dear Readers: The following comment was prompted by my response to the letter from a couple in their 70s asking if they had made a mistake moving their $2-million portfolio, including $340,000 in a taxable account, to a new advisor. The advisor recommended investment sales that resulted in a $50,000 capital gain tax bill, and their […]
Q&A: Are IRS quarterly payments mandatory?
Dear Liz: I live totally on my investment income. I receive the majority of my income at the end of the year, mostly dividends from my brokerage account. A couple of years ago, when talking to an IRS agent about another matter, I asked when I should make my estimated tax payment. I was told that […]
Q&A: How to find an estate planning attorney
Dear Liz: Is there a specific website to research estate planning attorneys in Southern California? Our attorney has retired and I elected not to have my file transferred to her successor attorney. Our trust documents are only six years old and there have been no material changes to our financial situation or beneficiaries. Answer: The internet is […]