Behavioral economist Dan Ariely and his colleagues at Duke University’s Center for Advanced Hindsight have a pact. Every week, the group of 50 people picks one small business in Durham, North Carolina, and each person spends $100 there. A one-time $5,000 infusion wouldn’t make a difference to Amazon, Costco or any other large retailer, but […]
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Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: New lawyers frustrated, depressed by student loan debt. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on lower mortgage rates and moving during a pandemic, how to take a high-interest loan and skip the debt cycle, and why you’ve got more time to pay off federal student loans. New […]
Q&A: Balancing disability and survivor benefits
Dear Liz: My 70-year-old husband is retiring at the end of the month. I’m 64 and collecting Social Security disability. If he should pass away before me, which is not likely considering my medical conditions, will I still get at least half of his Social Security income instead of my own, if it’s more than […]
Q&A:The IRS doesn’t need your worry
Dear Liz: My mother received a stimulus payment on behalf of my late father in April. Per an IRS directive on May 6, I returned the money to the IRS. As of Aug. 1, the check I sent has not been cashed. I have made two phone calls to the specific IRS phone number that […]
Q&A: What to do when coronavirus brings job loss, debt and a housing dilemma
Dear Liz: I was employed as a tour guide for seniors but because of COVID-19, all our trips are canceled. I depended on the income because I have no other, besides Social Security, which I started at age 62. I now have credit card debt. I also needed a new car (mine was 24 years […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Can you have too much credit? Also in the news: How to safely move during a pandemic, what personal finance apps should be doing to better serve older people, and how to avoid paying a penalty if you missed the tax filing deadline. Can You Have Too Much Credit? Credit scoring formulas […]