Get smart with your money
The IRS started accepting tax returns today. Perhaps some of you already knew that, and were poised with your finger over the “submit” button on your already-completed return when the IRS opened its gate. For the rest of us, though, this is a timely reminder that “Oh, yeah, I’ve gotta get that done”–preferably well before […]
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Today’s top story: Why you should pay your credit card bill before it’s due. Also in the news: How to break a bad money habit, what the IRS is doing to prevent identity theft, and how one late mortgage payment can wreak havoc with your credit score. 4 Reasons to Pay Your Credit Card Bill […]
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Today’s top story: What you need to know about taxes if you’re getting divorced. Also in the news: Honest mistakes that could ruin your credit, what you’ll be paying more for in 2015, and why you might need more care insurance. Getting Divorced? 8 Things You Must Know about Taxes Changes during a difficult time. […]
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Dear Liz: My wife and I are young (25 and 22). We owe no one money and have built up an emergency fund with six months of expenses. We both contribute enough to our 401(k)s to get the maximum match, and I contribute the maximum to my company’s stock purchase plan. Currently we are saving […]
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Dear Liz: My wife and I are both 66 and in good health. Currently we have about $1.2 million in IRAs. We’re receiving about $80,000 a year from a pension and $110,000 in salary. We have been aggressive about reducing any lingering debt. So we think we are in good shape for me to retire […]
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Today’s top story: Why you should treat your savings like the government treats your taxes. Also in the news: The hidden costs of your shopping habits, a 12-month guide to staying on the right financial track, and how to optimize your student loans in the new year. Treat Savings Like a Tax to Ensure You […]
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Need to call the IRS with a question? Good luck with that. The IRS ombudsman tells us about half of taxpayers who call the agency this tax season won’t get through, and the average hold times could be 30 minutes or more. In a report to Congress, the Taxpayer Advocate Service blamed the widening gap […]
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Today’s top story: Why this year’s tax refund may take longer to arrive, if at all. Also in the news: The financial upsides to being an empty nester, the impact of the Affordable Care Act on your taxes, and tips on how to compare student loans. Why Your Tax Refund May Be Slower (or Never […]
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My recent Reuters columns have focused on some of the most common issues families face in trying to pay for college, from getting the most financial aid to how to cope when you haven’t saved enough. Read on, and please share these columns with people you know who might benefit. Increase economic mobility by busting […]
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Credit card rewards programs change so often that it makes sense to review your “credit portfolio” at least once a year—and now’s as good a time as any. This post is directed at people with good credit who don’t carry balances. If that’s not you, then focus on paying off your credit card debt and […]
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