Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Checking your credit doesn’t hurt your scores. Also in the news: Personal finance tips from NerdWallet moms, why you should prepare now for the death of a spouse, and the benefits of easing into a new savings budget. Checking Your Credit Doesn’t Hurt Your Scores Not checking your scores could hurt much […]

Continue reading...

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The best credit card tips for May. Also in the news: Tips to weather the financial storm of a layoff, what the new FICO score means for you, and carryovers to remember when doing your 2016 tax planning. NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for May 2016 Time for some spring credit cleaning. […]

Continue reading...

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Should you pay for credit repair? Also in the news: Tips on raising financially savvy kids, credit scores and dating, and why it might make sense to pay down debt slowly. Should You Pay for Credit Repair? The pros and cons. 11 Tips to Raise Financially Savvy Kids Starting them off right. […]

Continue reading...

Is Saving Pointless?

Raise your hand if you’ve ever tried to build an emergency fund, then gave up after an unexpected expense drained away everything you managed to save. If that’s you, then you’re likely part of the 47% of Americans who recently told the Federal Reserve that they wouldn’t be able to pay an unexpected $400 expense […]

Continue reading...

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Clever strategies to fund your child’s college education. Also in the news: How to choose a qualified credit counselor, how the wage gap for women turns into a retirement gap, and how to protect yourself from ATM fraud. 3 Clever Strategies to Fund Your Child’s College Education Thinking outside the box. 3 […]

Continue reading...

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Smart things to do with your tax refund. Also in the news: New options for payday loan borrowers, how to build an emergency fund on a low income, and how to decide when to claim Social Security. Smart Things To Do With Your Tax Refund Putting your refund to good use. A […]

Continue reading...

Q&A: Co-signing for a student loan backfires

Dear Liz: My wife and I both had excellent credit scores. Now mine are in the dump. I co-signed for a friend’s daughter’s school loan 10 years ago. I know now this was a bad mistake. I guaranteed $25,000. Now two things have happened: The daughter quit paying the loan and the friendship took a […]

Continue reading...

Q&A: Questions for a financial advisor

Dear Liz: I have some investments at a financial investment firm. My advisor said that because I am 62, I can transfer money from my 401(k) at my job into my account with his firm. He says he can do better with the amount I currently have in the 401(k). Of course I will continue […]

Continue reading...

Q&A: Social Security family maximum

Dear Liz: My husband is disabled from a stroke and is on Social Security disability. I am 65 and nearing retirement. I keep seeing Social Security rules about “family maximums.” Does this mean that I won’t get my full retirement amount if, between his SSDI and my retirement, we exceed the family maximum? Or will […]

Continue reading...

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Ranking the cheapest cars to insure. Also in the news: Why you need to have a will, the financial perks of downsizing, and how much money you need to save monthly to reach your retirement goal. Ranking the Cheapest Cars to Insure Being a smart shopper. Prince Had No Will, Reports Say […]

Continue reading...