Today’s top story: Your credit history opens doors – here’s how to build it. Also in the news: what happens to your debt if your school closes for good, and exit strategies for young adults forced home during COVID-19. Your Credit History Opens Doors — Here’s How to Build It About 13% of Americans in […]
Recent Blog Posts
Are Medicare Advantage plans worth the risk?
About 1 in 3 people 65 and older in the U.S. enroll in Medicare Advantage, the private insurance alternative to traditional Medicare. It’s not hard to see why: Medicare Advantage plans often cover stuff that Medicare doesn’t, and most people don’t pay extra for it. But Medicare Advantage can be more expensive if you get […]
Tuesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: For lower-credit homeowners, refinancing is harder, but not hopeless. Also in the news: 4 home insurance pitfalls to avoid during hurricane season, survey finds majority of parents want personal finance taught in high schools, and how to decide between a 15-year and 30-year mortgage. For Lower-Credit Homeowners, Refinancing Is Harder, but Not […]
Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Should I pay for my hotel using cash, points or both? Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on fake reviews and saving too much, 5 travel writers draft their favorite airlines, and where to get relief if there isn’t a second stimulus check. Should I Pay for […]
Q&A: Finding affordable financial planning
Dear Liz: I’ve read your advice and that of many others to only use a fee-only financial planner. However, we’ve never felt like we could afford that expense, and many of the planners I’ve found wouldn’t take accounts as small as ours anyway. We’re in our mid-40s and feel like we’ve wasted many years waiting […]
Q&A: Death, taxes and home sales: How to handle the mixture
Dear Liz: My wife and I bought our house 61 years ago in Southern California. The wife passed away seven years ago, and I became the sole owner. If I should die owning the house, I know my daughter will inherit and her tax basis will be the value of the house on that date. […]