Today’s top story: Mortgage trends for the rest of 2020. Also in the news: Why a credit card company can lower your limit, why you might not want to zero out every credit card, and how to know if your 401(k) fees are too high. Mortgage Trends for the Rest of 2020 Lower rates but […]
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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: What you can do if your college says to stay home this fall. Also in the news: 8 things that will get more expensive (and 3 that will be cheaper) post-pandemic, 7 ways moving from a city to a small town could save you money, and what yo do when your forbearance […]
What to do with your stuff the kids don’t want
Parents who are downsizing or simply decluttering may have to get creative at finding homes for all their unwanted possessions – particularly these days. The generations that came after the baby boom are famously less interested than their predecessors in the trappings of domestic life, says Elizabeth Stewart, author of “No Thanks Mom: The Top […]
Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: 6 credit card scams and how to avoid them. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on COVID impulse spending and building credit while paying off debt, how Black Friday shopping could look very different this year, and making a plan to repay your borrowed 401(k) money. 6 […]
Q&A: I get different credit scores from my bank and card companies. What gives?
Dear Liz: I have three financial providers that supply regular, free credit scores: my bank and two credit card issuers. My credit score from the bank is always a “perfect score” while the two card companies are consistently 17 points lower, both exactly the same for two years now. I always pay off most or […]
Q&A: Retirement accounts and taxes
Dear Liz: I am 41 and have had a traditional IRA for about two decades. I funded it for the first 10 years, taking a tax deduction for the contributions. Since I’ve had a 401(k) with my employer for the past several years, I obviously cannot take a deduction for the IRA amount, but I […]