Q&A: When is the right time to buy?

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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Q&A: Taking a mortgage for the tax deduction

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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Friday’s need-to-know money news

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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Don’t call the IRS this tax season

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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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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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What you need to know about paying for college

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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January tune-up: Your credit cards

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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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Knowing when you’ve been hit with a higher interest rate on your credit cards. Also in the news: Tips for an easier tax season, why your spending habits are killing your budget, and how you’re gambling with your money and don’t even know it. How to Tell If You’ve Been Hit With […]

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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How best to protect yourself when shopping online. Also in the news: Retirement resolutions for the new year, how to stay disciplined with your money, and how your credit card could boost your retirement savings. Which is Safer? Paypal Or A Credit Card With cyber attacks on the rise, which payment method […]

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Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Life insurance benefits you may not know about. Also in the news: The upside of waiting to take Social Security, how to have tough financial conversations, and ten ways you might sabotage your new year’s resolutions. 3 Life Insurance Benefits You Did Not Know About Alternatives to using life insurance as a […]

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