Get smart with your money
Dear Liz: I have been making interest-only payments on a home equity line of credit but starting in January the payments will increase to include principle. I would like to do a cash-out refinance of my first mortgage (I owe about $190,000) to pay off the HELOC (on which I owe $140,000). My home is worth […]
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Dear Liz: My wife and I co-signed for student loans for our daughter. My daughter made payments on these loans since she graduated from college four years ago. My wife and I just paid off the loan balance, which was $22,000. Is our payment considered a gift to our daughter? Answer: Yes, but your gift […]
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Yesterday Equifax broke the news hackers gained access to the Social Security numbers and other sensitive personal information for 143 million Americans (a group that apparently includes me, my husband, our daughter and probably you). Because that wasn’t enough, today the outrages just continued: The breach was discovered at the end of July. What was […]
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Today’s top story: Americans favor debit over credit for their go-to card. Also in the news: How to choose a cash-back credit card, how to get an SBA disaster loan for your business, and the costly mistake people make when using debit cards. Americans Favor Debit Over Credit for Their Go-To Card The results are […]
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Today’s top story: 10-word answers to your biggest hurricane insurance questions. Also in the news: How to prepare before a hurricane hits, ditching debt when you’re newly single, and how to bring up money for the first time. 10-Word Answers to Your Biggest Hurricane Insurance Questions What you need to know. How to Prepare Before […]
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Today’s top story: 5 things debt collectors can’t do – and 5 they can. Also in the news: The pros and cons of dropshipping, protecting intellectual property, and how to choose a rewards credit card. 5 Things Debt Collectors Can’t Do — and 5 They Can Learn the limits. Dropshipping Cuts Your Inventory — and […]
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Too many Americans have bad credit because of unpaid medical bills. That’s not likely to change anytime soon, despite two reforms in how those bills will be reported to the credit bureaus. Starting Sept. 15: —There will be a 180-day waiting period before unpaid medical debts can show up on people’s credit reports. —Medical collections […]
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Dear Liz: I’m reaching out on behalf of my father, who does not know how to write emails. He was wondering if he pulls his money out of his IRA, how much will he get charged? Also, how much would he be able to give to his granddaughters without being charged? Answer: Withdrawals from IRAs […]
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Dear Liz: Please tell me again how to get my free credit report each year. Answer: You can get a free annual look at your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus at www.annualcreditreport.com. If you search for “free credit report,” you may wind up at a look-alike site, rather than the federally mandated […]
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Dear Liz: I have repaired my own vehicles all my life, and I wanted to add a bit to your response to the person in Chapter 13 bankruptcy who needs another car after paying $1,500 cash each for two junkers. You are correct that a $3,000 car is likely to be more reliable, but I […]
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