Ask Liz Weston

December 11, 2017 By Liz Weston

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 ways to reduce credit card interest. Also in the news: Holiday hosting tips to be safe, holiday tipping guide, and the pros and cons of using debit vs. credit cards. 5 Ways to Reduce Credit Card Interest Escaping the interest trap. Holiday Hosting Tips to Be Safe, Insurance If You’re Sorry […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: credit card interest, Credit Cards, debit cards, holiday entertaining, holiday tipping, homeowners insurance

December 11, 2017 By Liz Weston

Q&A: How to find your way out of difficult financial circumstances

Dear Liz: I desperately need your help! My husband, who is 91, is in the early stages of dementia. I just turned 88 and for the first time am responsible for making all the financial decisions. We are deeply in debt and I don’t know the best way to proceed. We owe more than $40,000 […]

Filed Under: Credit & Debt, Q&A Tagged With: debt, elderly, mortgage, q&a

December 11, 2017 By Liz Weston

Q&A: There’s a big difference in various kinds of bonds

Dear Liz: My mutual funds and IRA are mostly in stocks with very little in bonds. I’m thinking I should have more in bonds, but just don’t know how much I should transfer from the stock funds and which bond fund to pick. Are they all the same? Answer: Just as with stock funds, bond […]

Filed Under: Investing, Q&A, Saving Money Tagged With: bonds, q&a, retirement savings

December 8, 2017 By Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Is Bitcoin safe? Also in the news: How to buy better gifts with credit card rewards, must-have tools and tips for year-end retirement planning, and smart money lessons for kids that can last a lifetime. Is Bitcoin Safe? A roundtable debate. How to Buy Better Gifts With Credit Card Rewards Using your […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: BItcoin, credit card rewards, Credit Cards, cryptocurrency, gifts, kids and money, retirement planning

December 7, 2017 By Liz Weston

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How not to go broke attending holiday parties. Also in the news: Self-taught financial advisers keep it real about money, how to determine if your taxes are going up, and how to spend your extra FSA money. You Don’t Have to Go Broke Attending Holiday Parties Having fun without breaking the bank. […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: financial advice, FSA, holiday parties, holiday spending, Insurance, Taxes, tips

December 5, 2017 By Liz Weston

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to live below your means without feeling deprived. Also in the news: How to dodge the drama of family loans, the launch of Apple Pay Cash, and using Social Security benefits to plan your retirement income. How to Live Below Your Means Without Feeling Deprived It doesn’t have to be a […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Apple Pay Cash, apps, budgets, family loans, Retirement, Social Security, tips

December 4, 2017 By Liz Weston

Would a bank payday loan be any safer?

A “safer” payday loan sounds like an oxymoron. Critics have branded these notoriously high-cost loans as debt traps that cause borrowers to go ever deeper in the hole. Thanks to a recent regulatory change, it now may be possible for banks to offer small, short-term loans that could be a lot less dangerous for borrowers. […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: banking, banks, Loans, payday loans

December 4, 2017 By Liz Weston

Q&A: How to avoid outliving your retirement savings

Dear Liz: The wife and I are both 65. We both work, with a combined income of $125,000, of which we spend almost all. We have $550,000 in IRAs and $1 million in other investments, plus home equity of about $500,000. We’ll get $3,800 from Social Security if we start next year but plan to […]

Filed Under: Q&A, Retirement, Saving Money Tagged With: q&a, Retirement, saving, Savings

December 4, 2017 By Liz Weston

Q&A: Authentication apps can help thwart hackers

Dear Liz: I’ve heard that authentication apps are a better way to go than two-factor authentication that texts codes to your cell phone. Can you explain more? Answer: Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security to financial, email, social media, cloud storage and other accounts. The first factor is something you know, which is […]

Filed Under: Identity Theft, Q&A, Scams Tagged With: apps, authentication, hackers, q&a, two-factor authentication

December 4, 2017 By Liz Weston

Q&A: Here’s how to find that annual free credit report

Dear Liz: Please tell me the website for the free credit check. At a department store checkout counter, a stranger’s name came up connected to my cellphone number. I think I should check my credit reports, but I don’t want to pay for what I understand I can get free. Answer: It’s entirely possible a […]

Filed Under: Credit & Debt, Credit Scoring, Q&A Tagged With: credit report, free credit report, q&a

Search