Today’s top story: Scaling back spending yields unexpected benefits. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on charitable donations and new baby expenses, a travel expert shares his tips for traveling during a pandemic, and who needs to request a Coronavirus relief payment before October 15th. Scaling Back Spending Yields Unexpected […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: Picking your estate’s executor
Dear Liz: One issue in a recent column was about a sibling who did not follow the will. As executor, the sibling took two thirds of the estate instead of the will’s specification of half. This is why, when my wife and I had our estate plan created, we told the attorney that none of […]
Q&A: Social Security spousal benefits count as yours
Dear Liz: My husband is 69 and taking his Social Security benefit. I will be 62 in November and would like to ask if I can take half of his amount when I turn 62 and let mine grow until my full retirement age of 66 and 8 months? Or am I only able to […]
How filing taxes could generate your coronavirus stimulus check
Dear Liz: My adjusted gross income in 2019 was too high for me to get a stimulus relief payment. However, my income this year will be much lower and I would qualify. Will I automatically get the stimulus payment when I file my 2020 return or is there something I must do to get the […]
Q&A: Pitfalls of unequal will distributions
Dear Liz: You’ve written that when writing their wills, parents should be careful about leaving unequal distributions to their children. What wasn’t mentioned was that a person could have a “good” child and a “bad” one. The “bad one” has never done a thing for the parent, such as inviting her to the child’s home […]
Thursday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Take control now with advance medical directives. Also in the news: How to transfer a credit card balance in 3 simple steps, how to set up a 50/20/30 budget, and tax filing tips for college students. Take Control Now With Advance Medical Directives Some of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. […]