Dear Liz: I recently found out that my ex lent one of her former bosses $2,500 to get his brother out of jail on bond. My ex took the money out of a joint account that I had opened with the inheritance I got when my dad died. It’s now been four years and I haven’t […]
Recent Blog Posts
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: June mortgage rates. In other news: Some big stores are cutting prices to woo back grocery shoppers, rename your ’emergency fund’ if that suits your saving style, and first-time home buyer affordability report – Q1 2024. June Mortgage Rates: Calm at Takeoff, Then Subject to Turbulence Mortgage rates probably won’t vary much in […]
Q&A: A $100 fee to close a brokerage account? Really?
Dear Liz: My brokerage recently sent an updated fee list. They now are charging $100 to close an account. That seems an incredibly high fee should I choose to move my investments somewhere else. The fine print says the fee will not apply to anyone who holds at least $5 million in qualifying assets. Well that […]
Q&A: Is it wise to have all your accounts under one roof?
Dear Liz: I’m setting up accounts post-divorce, while learning personal finance on the fly. Is it “safe” or advisable to have all of my larger accounts — IRAs, 401(k), cash management — with the same institution, or should I spread them around? I have smaller checking and savings accounts with a good credit union. Answer: Using a […]
Q&A: Caught between Social Security’s two retirement ages
Dear Liz: I’ve received multiple conflicting answers from Social Security and hope you can clarify. My husband waited to collect until he was 70 and unfortunately passed away soon afterward. I am 66 and was instructed to apply for survivor benefits because I would be eligible to collect his enhanced benefit at age 66 plus two months. […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: Debt settlement hurts your credit score. In other news: Weekly mortgage rates fall, but existing home sales sag, DOJ files antitrust suit against Live Nation/Ticketmaster, and why the disconnect between economic strength and sentiment matters. Is Debt Settlement a Good Idea? Debt settlement hurts your credit score, and there’s no guarantee of […]