Get smart with your money
Dear Liz: You recently answered a question about what a wealthy couple could do to reduce future estate taxes, and you mentioned the annual exclusion. They also could pay education and medical expenses for anyone, and there’s no annual limit. Answer: Absolutely — and the couple’s estate planning attorney almost certainly would have informed them […]
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Today’s top story: IRS changes you should know about before filing taxes. Also in the news: How to avoid your parents’ money mistakes, how to avoid tax scammers, and what to do when you’re struggling with student debt. IRS Changes You Should Know About Before Filing Your Taxes New rules for the new year. How […]
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Today’s top story: How to manage your investments during the Trump presidency. Also in the news: How to dig out from December’s debt, why ‘Buy Online, Pick Up in Store’ is a double-edged sword, and the first thing you should do after paying off a big debt. How to Manage Your Investments During the Trump […]
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Today’s top story: 3 things you should know about the Dow hitting 20,000. Also in the news: Starting 2017 with a financial cleanse, how to protect your finances during a divorce, and tax-preparation tips for early birds. 3 Things You Should Know About the Dow Hitting 20,000 Breaking the 20K mark. Start 2017 With a […]
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Today’s top story: How medical bill advocates can slash your costs. Also in the news: How two-factor authentication protects your online info, how investing apps can foil financial planning, and four credit card trends for 2017. How Medical Bill Advocates Can Slash Your Costs An advocate will go to bat to reduce your medical costs. […]
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Your mother’s maiden name is probably not a secret. Neither, necessarily, is your high school mascot or the size of your car payment. But some banks and brokerages still pretend this is information only you would know, and that could be putting your money at risk. So-called security questions long ago outlived their usefulness, since […]
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Today’s top story: How to find a good tax preparer. Also in the news: Excuses for delaying retirement savings, what the TCF bank suit means for you, and why used cars usually have higher interests rates. How to Find a Good Tax Preparer (and Write Off the Bad Ones) Finding good help during tax season. […]
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Dear Liz: I started with a fee-only advisor 10 years ago. She moved to another company a few years after and I followed. She’s really done well for me. My question is, now that I’m getting ready to retire, should I manage my own accounts to avoid incurring commissions or fees? I don’t anticipate making […]
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Dear Liz: I was recently denied a credit card and told my score was 150 points lower than what my credit reports show. Why would this be? Am I being deceived by the credit reporting agencies? It was such a low number that it’s a little hard to believe since I have been approved for […]
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Today’s top story: How to prep (or not) for President Trump’s proposed tax changes. Also in the news: You could be owed money in the Western Union fraud case, why inauguration rental hosts could get a tax break, and 4 ways your expenses can skyrocket when having kids. How to Prep (or Not) for Trump’s […]
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