Get smart with your money
Today’s top story: Why your digital assets should be part of your estate planning. Also in the news: Three reasons to consolidate your 401(k) into an IRA, what the proposed AT&T/DirecTV deal means for you, and twelve things you should always try to negotiate. Estate Planning 101: Don’t Forget About Your Digital Assets Your social […]
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Dear Liz: I’m 65 and my wife is 62. We recently sold a business for over $900,000 and will net somewhere between $550,000 and $600,000. Should we use the proceeds to pay off our mortgage? Our home is worth about $1.5 million with a mortgage of $390,000 at 3.586%. We contribute an extra $200 per […]
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Dear Liz: My credit reports don’t show any of my old unpaid collection accounts. I also have one judgment that is not showing from 2005. My wife (who has perfect credit) and I are looking to apply for a mortgage. What will the lender find? I recently applied for a credit card to start rebuilding […]
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Today’s top story: How to pay off your student loans. Also in the news: Understanding your mutual fund fees, the pros and cons of prepaid debit cards, and timeless money tips for new graduates. The Wrong Ways to Get Rid of Your Student Loans Not paying them is not an option. A Guide to Understanding […]
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I used to belong to the “what’s wrong with you people??” school of personal finance advice.* I found it hard to sympathize with people who carried credit card debt or failed to save for retirement. Surely they knew better. So why didn’t they do better? Turns out there are a lot of reasons, including the […]
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Today’s top story: Could your bad credit score leave you homeless? Also in the news: How your wedding could boost your credit score, the pros and cons of debt consolidation, and how living small could save you big money. Could a Bad Credit Score Make You Homeless? Landlords are taking a closer look at potential […]
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Today’s top story: How to deal with calls from bill collectors. Also in the news: A low-tech method of tracking your spending, how to strategically pay down credit card debt, and protecting your information at post office kiosks. How to Deal With Harassing Calls From a Bill Collector Know your rights. A Slow-Tech Approach to […]
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Today’s top story: How to get the most from your credit card rewards program. Also in the news: What to consider before moving, when to work with a financial adviser, and why low interest rates on student loans are becoming a thing of past. Maximizing Credit Card Rewards: 5 Ways to Earn Big Making your […]
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A college degree today is what a high school diploma was 60 years ago, a college consultant told me. Meaning: the bare minimum for staying in the middle class. There will be exceptions, of course, but your kid is unlikely to be one of them. So here, in my ongoing “rules of thumb” series (previous […]
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