Get smart with your money
Today’s top story: The key factors to getting the lowest mortgage rate. Also in the news: Personal finance trends for 2014, how to make teaching your kids about money fun, and what you can do to make good financial decisions all day long. The Most Important Factors to Getting the Lowest Mortgage Rate Your credit […]
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I signed up for the federal do not call list when it opened in 2004, and for years our landline was blissfully free of telemarketing calls. That’s changed in the past few years as illegal operations, many based overseas, started flagrantly violating the law. A new free service may give us some peace. Nomorobo, which […]
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Today’s top story: Ten ways to fix the student loan crisis. Also in the news: Questions to ask before you retire, simple things you can do to boost your credit score, and the resolutions every indebted consumer should make. 10 Ways to Fix Student Loans in 2014 Actions Congress can take to help solve the […]
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Dear Liz: Lately I have been reading a lot about how people aren’t saving enough for retirement. Every article I read talks about the need to put enough into employers’ 401(k) programs to get the maximum possible company match. What do you do when your employer doesn’t match your contribution? Answer: You contribute anyway, and […]
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Dear Liz: I currently owe $27,000 in student loans at an 11.5% interest rate. I have excellent credit and about $8,000 in savings and contribute 17% of my income to a workplace retirement plan. Should I invest less in my 401(k) and pay off debt instead? I just got a balance transfer offer for 0% […]
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Dear Liz: My debit card was part of the recent Target data breach (my credit union called me). I’ve read articles telling me to pull my credit reports. Here’s the thing: I already requested two of my three free credit reports in early December. When I read about the Target incident, I requested the third […]
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Today’s top story: A guide to dealing with debt collectors. Also in the news: Steps you can take to avoid tax identity theft, the advantages of a 30-year mortgage, and what to do when a relative hits you up for money. The Ultimate Guide to Debt Collectors How to handle some of the world’s least […]
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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Millions of families will fill out a key financial aid form in coming weeks, many for the first time. Unfortunately, mistakes on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are easy to make, education experts said. Here are some of the most costly errors to avoid: 1. Failing to file […]
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Today’s top story: A simple way to help your credit. Also in the news: Financial fasting, the best financial resolutions for the New Year, and why you’re not being paid what you’re worth. What’s the Simplest Thing I Can Do to Help My Credit? This one thing could make a huge difference. Should You Go […]
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Wealthier taxpayers are doing a two-step around Roth income limits by putting money into regular IRAs and then promptly converting the accounts to Roths. They’re taking advantage of Congress’ decision to remove the previous $100,000 income limit for conversions. That decision, which took effect in 2010, led to a conversion boom: $64.8 billion transferred from […]
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