Get smart with your money
Dear Liz: I have had a certain credit card for over five years. I just received a letter stating that my interest rate was going to be raised from 10.24% to 12.24%. My FICO score is 819 and I have never had late payments on any of my cards. I called the issuer to complain […]
Continue reading...
Dear Liz: You told a reader to be suspicious of a bank’s offer to waive early withdrawal penalties on a certificate of deposit. But several credit unions allow early withdrawals from five-year CDs after the account holder turns 59 1/2. These credit unions will even allow you to get higher-interest CDs at other credit unions […]
Continue reading...
Today’s top story: Big changes are coming to your FICO score. Also in the news: Lessons learned from selling a house, building a financial dashboard, and how much you should really set aside for retirement. New FICO Score Factors in Utilities & How Often You Move Changes are coming to your credit score. Lessons Learned […]
Continue reading...
Today’s top story: How to wreck someone else’s credit. Also in the news: How much you need to save in case of an emergency, five tax resolutions for next April 15th, and ten steps to a smarter spending plan. 4 Ways You Can Wreck Somebody Else’s Credit Not that you should, of course. In Case […]
Continue reading...
A few days ago I called American Express because I wanted them to send us a new Bluebird card, since we hadn’t been able to find the prepaid card we used in Europe. It turns out someone else used a fraudulent card with our number at an ATM last month, twice, each time withdrawing 50 […]
Continue reading...
Today’s top story: How to decide between debt consolidation or bankruptcy. Also in the news: Apps that can help you save money right now, how to create an income plan from your retirement savings, and how to protect yourself against unemployment. Debt Consolidation Vs. Bankruptcy: Which Should You Choose? How to make a crucial decision. […]
Continue reading...
Dear Liz: After many years of unemployment, I finally got a full-time position. It is a state job with a pension. How much do I need to save for retirement? Can I focus on paying off debt and saving for college, and trust I will be OK in retirement? Answer: Your long stint of unemployment […]
Continue reading...
Dear Liz: Is there a way to lock my credit history and access to prevent the unscrupulous from opening accounts in my name? Maybe I’m rare, but I have enough existing credit cards, don’t have a mortgage and essentially have no debt, and I want to keep it that way. I suspect businesses that make […]
Continue reading...