Dear Liz: I have two younger brothers, and the youngest was chosen as the executor of our widowed mother’s estate. The problem is that he doesn’t understand financials. Mom is 94. Her entire estate is invested in blue-chip stocks. The portfolio was carefully planned by our uncle and closely tracks the Dow Jones industrial average. […]
Recent Blog Posts
Wednesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: My Frugal Februarys: Lessons from buying only necessities. Also in the news: 12 African-American financial gurus to follow in 2019, many Americans are shocked by their 2018 tax returns, and what to know about the alternative minimum tax. My Frugal Februarys: Lessons From Buying Only Necessities Sticking to the essentials. 12 African-American […]
Tuesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Don’t let Instagram envy get you into debt. Also in the news: Don’t let a car dealer’s yo-yo financing scam reel you in, all the ways you can get your student loans forgiven, and 3 steps to tidying up your finances a la Marie Kondo. Don’t Let Instagram Envy Get You Into […]
Are you picking the wrong money goals?
Setting smart, achievable goals is important if you want to take charge of your financial life. But many of us are surprisingly bad at choosing the goals that actually matter most to us. Investment research firm Morningstar had 318 people write down their top three financial priorities, then showed them a master list of goals […]
Q&A: Take a look behind the credit-score numbers game
Dear Liz: I recently got an email from my credit card issuer stating my credit score had just dropped 21 points. Having a good credit score and not aware of any recent adverse actions, my first reaction was alarm. Checking with the issuer online, I saw only advertisements for “protect your credit” services, so I […]
Q&A: Heirs need a pro to sort our tax issues
Dear Liz: I know that when a person dies, their beneficiaries typically will inherit a home or other real estate at the current market value with no taxes owed on the appreciation that happened during the person’s lifetime. Does that hold true for stocks as well? Answer: Usually, yes, but there are some exceptions. If […]