This week’s money news

This week’s top story: 8 ways to personalize your rental and get your deposit back. In other news: Life insurance for small business, how couples can share the mental load of money management, and how to plan for retirement. 8 Ways to Personalize Your Rental — and Get Your Deposit Back Cosmetic upgrades can help personalize […]

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How to escape from a money rut

Sometimes, climbing out of a money rut starts with a pep talk — to yourself. “I like affirmations and speaking out loud,” says Giovanna Gonzalez, a financial educator and author of “Cultura & Cash.” Her favorite affirmations are statements like, “I am not a reflection of my money mistakes,” “I can improve my financial situation,” […]

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Q&A: Can my credit score really be marred over $20?

Dear Liz: I have had great credit for years. Late last year, I somehow overlooked a $20 payment due from one of my credit cards. My score dropped by more than 50 points, from about 815 to 765. I quickly paid the $20 and contacted the issuer. They told me they were required by law to […]

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Q&A: Complicated condo question

Dear Liz: You recently answered a question about gifting a condo. I understood the first part of your answer: If the person receiving the gift lives in the condo for two of the last five years, then there is no capital gains exposure. The second part of your answer is a little confusing to me. You […]

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This week’s money news

This week’s top story: What student loan borrowers should know if MOHELA is your servicer. In other news: Pregnant workers must get time off for birth, abortion, what not to do during mortgage preapproval, and 5 questions to ask when helping an older parent with money. MOHELA Senate Hearing: What Student Loan Borrowers Should Know If […]

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Q&A: Handling family property, when to take retirement and building credit history

Dear Liz: My wife and I plan to leave our house to our four children. My concern is that one may want to sell and split the proceeds; another may want to keep the house, rent it and divide up the income; and of course there’s always the real possibility that one may want to […]

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Q&A: Waiting to apply for retirement benefit or not

Dear Liz: I am recently divorced but was married for 20 years. My ex is 12 years older and he waited until 70 to start collecting Social Security benefits. I am 62 and self-employed. My retirement benefit is greater than half of his (but not by much). It is my understanding that after his death […]

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Q&A: Retail cards are often easier to get than credit cards

Dear Liz: You recently answered a question from someone who was rejected for a credit card because of a lack of credit history. Years ago, my wife was rejected for similar reasons. She signed up for a card with a local retailer, then successfully reapplied for the credit card six months later. Maybe the industry […]

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This week’s money news

This week’s top story: How to make sure you have enough auto insurance coverage. In other news: Limited gender markers add hurdles for nonbinary people, consider paying workers more often to retain them, and why adding a child as an authorized user might not help their credit. How to Make Sure You Have Enough Auto Insurance […]

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What college students need to know about payment apps

For college students, sending money to friends has never been easier thanks to peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, PayPal and Cash App. But that convenience poses risks, including vulnerability to errors, fraud and the tendency to overspend. As a result, payment apps can contribute to financial stress at a time when young people are learning […]

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