This week’s top story: 7 surprising facts about credit cards. In other news: Weekly mortgage rates rise again, look to last-minute scholarships when you can’t control FAFSA delays, and best cities for freelancers and self-employed workers 2024. 7 Surprising Facts About Credit Cards Card issuers have a lot of leeway in terms of when and how […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: Is my wife’s pension at risk?
Dear Liz: My wife worked in the private sector for 30 years and paid into Social Security before starting her current job in the public sector. She will get a small pension from this job when she decides to retire. It’s our understanding that the windfall elimination provision won’t apply to her since she contributed to […]
Q&A: A sticky inheritance scenario
Dear Liz: I have an adult daughter by a previous marriage who has no savings or retirement funds. I want to change my living trust to ensure that my daughter only receives a monthly amount similar to my required minimum distribution from my IRA, plus half of our paid-off house after my wife and I pass […]
Q&A: Credit for time spent on a DIY home project?
Dear Liz: My husband remodeled all of the bathrooms in our home. We have receipts for the materials we purchased so that we can reduce our capital gains when we sell our home. Can we claim my husband’s time as labor costs for the home improvements? Answer: No. You can add the cost of improvements to your […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: These states plan to phase out gas car sales. In other news: How to help your loved one navigate the costs of dementia care, weekly mortgage rates are up, but prices are the real villain, and new airline requirements. These States Plan to Phase Out Gas Car Sales California, New Jersey and […]
Q&A: How late-in-life divorce could affect Social Security benefits
Dear Liz: I’m a CPA and getting conflicting answers from the Social Security office about a case I’m working on. Both clients are 70 and they’re considering legal separation or divorce. She took Social Security at 62 and receives about $1,500 a month before deductions. He started Social Security at 70 and receives about $4,600. […]