Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to lodge a student loan complaint. Also in the news: How adult kids living at home can help your tax bill, using direct contributions from your paycheck to save for college, and the best time of year to sign up for a rewards credit card. How to Lodge a Student Loan […]

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Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to buy and what to skip in April. Also in the news: What all those terms and conditions you ignore really mean, how to save for a home when you have student debt, and steps for helping kids become financially savvy. What to Buy (and Skip) in April Spending your cash […]

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Q&A: The pros and cons of converting life insurance to an annuity

Dear Liz: I have a life insurance policy that is worth $16,000 if I cash out. Our agent says if we convert this to an annuity, we would eliminate our monthly fee of $25. The policy is worth $35,000 if I should die with it still in effect. We purchased this only for the purpose […]

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Q&A: How much liability coverage is enough?

Dear Liz: We are looking to get umbrella insurance coverage to increase the personal liability limits on our homeowners and auto policies. Is there a rule of thumb on how much umbrella coverage is appropriate? Enough to cover one’s entire net worth? Or a portion thereof? Granted, no amount of coverage would prevent a lawsuit […]

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Q&A: How to deal with robocalls

Dear Liz: As to the woman who receives robocalls, this is what I do. Almost all such calls come on my land line, which is now exclusively reserved for telephone solicitors and robocalls. I have it on two rings and never answer it. I will pick it up if I hear someone I know leaving […]

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Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Buying credit and identity theft monitoring. Also in the news: Financial aid appeal tactics, why we’re still swiping our credit cards, and how to look at living on a budget as an opportunity. Should You Buy Credit and Identity Theft Monitoring? What to look for. 7 Financial Aid Appeal Tactics To Improve […]

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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Protecting your assets from a car accident. Also in the news: Why having a single credit card just for bills can make fraud less disruptive, big tax breaks for homeowners, and last-minute moves to trim your tax bill. How to Protect Your Assets in the Event of a Car Accident Paying the […]

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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Home improvements that don’t pay off in the long run. Also in the news: How to build a budget, easy ways to vet financial aid offers, and how to lay the financial groundwork for a career change. 4 Home Improvements That Don’t Pay (and 4 Better Options) How to avoid turning your […]

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Is Debt-Free College Really Possible?

A reader in her 70s once asked me why kids today don’t do what she did: Work for a year after high school and save up enough to pay for a bachelor’s degree. If you just busted out laughing, then you’re familiar with how high today’s college costs are compared with five or six decades […]

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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to do if you’ve been blacklisted by ChexSystems. Also in the news: How to avoid early withdrawal fees for CDs, steps to take if you can’t pay your taxes, and the high cost of being poor. Blacklisted by ChexSystems? Here’s What to Know That bounced check may have come back to […]

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