Ask Liz Weston

September 28, 2017 By Liz Weston

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The best cities for recent college graduates. Also in the news: Why paying bills is a grind for almost half of Americans, how to trim expensive wedding frills without cutting guests’ fun, and everything you wanted to know about your credit report but were afraid to ask. Best Cities for Recent College […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: budget, cities, college graduates, credit report, paying bills, tips, weddings

September 27, 2017 By Liz Weston

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to boostrap your credit for free or cheap. Also in the news: 3 ways to get your business up and selling on Amazon, three things to do for the best online banking, and how to save at the start of your career. How to Bootstrap Your Credit for Free — or […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Amazon, Credit, Credit Score, millennials, online banking, saving, selling

September 26, 2017 By Liz Weston

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Confusion about overdraft coverage can cost you dearly. Also in the news: 3 reasons why college students need to submit the FAFSA every year, appealing your flood insurance claim denial, and opening a subaccount to save for an epic vacation. Confusion About Overdraft Coverage Can Cost You Dearly Don’t pay the bank […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: banking, FAFSA, flood insurance, overdraft coverage, Savings, Student Loans, subaccounts

September 25, 2017 By Liz Weston

Q&A: Saving for retirement also means planning for the tax hit

Dear Liz: I’m 40. We own our house and have a young daughter. Through my current employer, I’m able to contribute to a regular 401(k) and also a Roth 401(k) retirement account. My company matches 3% if we contribute a total of 6% or more of our salaries. Are there any reasons I should contribute […]

Filed Under: Q&A, Retirement, Taxes Tagged With: 401(k), q&a, Retirement, Roth 401(k), Taxes

September 25, 2017 By Liz Weston

Q&A: How to protect your financial data in the wake of the Equifax breach

Dear Liz: Do I have the right to notify the credit bureaus that I do not want any of my financial information stored in their files? They don’t seem to be that secure. I rarely borrow money and the three financial institutions I deal with have all the data they need to lend me money […]

Filed Under: Credit Scoring, Identity Theft, Q&A Tagged With: breach, Equifax, Identity Theft, q&a

September 22, 2017 By Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to join a deluge of insurance claims for flooded cars. Also in the news: The pros and cons of zero down payment mortgages, what investors need to know about the SEC hack, and 5 budgeting apps that will save you money. How to Join a Deluge of Insurance Claims for Flooded […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: budgets, budgets apps, flooded cars, hurricane, Insurance, mortgages, zero down payment mortgages

September 21, 2017 By Liz Weston

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How ‘Pay for Delete’ might help your credit – if you’re lucky. Also in the news: 19 less-obvious wedding costs to bake into your budget, why financial advice is still important regardless of your income, and how to make sure you’re not going to an Equifax phishing site. ‘Pay for Delete’ Might […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: collections, credit report, Equifax, expenses, financial advice, pay for delete, phishing, wedding budget

September 20, 2017 By Liz Weston

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Want to graduate with minimal debt? Choose the right college. Also in the news: How to budget, save, and even win money with today’s prepaid debit cards, 5 key facts about earthquakes and insurance, and hackers are stealing home buyers’ down payments. Want to Graduate With Minimal Debt? Choose the Right College […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: college tuition, debt, down payments, earthquake, hackers, home buyers, Insurance, prepaid debit cards, scams

September 19, 2017 By Liz Weston

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 3 ways to scrub a collections stain off a credit report. Also in the news: Why you probably need title insurance, socially responsible investing, and the Equifax hack just got worse. 3 Ways to Scrub a Collections Stain Off a Credit Report Do your homework. Title Insurance: What It Is and Why […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: collections, Credit, credit report, Equifax hack, ethical investing, title insurance

September 18, 2017 By Liz Weston

Squeamish about buying used items? Get over it

Bedbugs. Weird smells. The possibility of imminent breakdowns. People have all sorts of excuses for not buying used stuff. Those who deliberately buy used items, though, say such fears are not just overblown — they’re also expensive. In my latest for the Associated Press, how buying used items can save you money while not sacrificing […]

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: freecycle, Savings, tips, used items

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