Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Preparing your home for the winter. Also in the news: Understanding the “kiddie tax”, why your chances of retiring early could be determined by your personality, and how to defeat the urge to binge shop. Tips for Preparing Your Home for Winter Don’t let your money go up in chimney smoke. Understanding […]

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Holiday triage: How to get ready when you’re not

Thanksgiving is so late this year that I’ve been drifting along in a lovely bubble of denial. Even my Jewish friends’ preparations for Hanukkah haven’t been enough to alert me that Christmas isn’t far off. Today a TV crew from a local Chinese-language stopped by to record some tips for enjoying the holidays without creating […]

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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to avoid charity scams. Also in the news: Money lessons from retirees, money-saving tips for travelers, and how a grandparents’ gift for college could ruin a student’s financial aid. 4 Ways to Avoid Charity Scams Protecting your empathy from being preyed upon. 5 Financial Lessons from Retirees Voices of experience. 3 […]

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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Saving money while expecting a baby. Also in the news: How to finance your closing costs, teaching your kids about money, and financial tips for adults going back to school. 9 Ways to Save Money When You’re Expecting a Baby One for every month! How to Finance Your Mortgage Closing Costs Little […]

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Investing in stocks: what you need to know

Dear Liz: I currently have a 401(k) and an IRA, but want something more. A longtime CPA, who is very close to our family, recommended that I buy some stocks, but I’m unsure how to go about this. Answer: When you’re investing, it’s important to be diversified. That means you should spread your money among […]

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Beware debt reduction offers

Dear Liz: What is your opinion of debt reduction programs? I am constantly receiving mail from various companies, and I was wondering if they are legit. They claim they can reduce my debt, which sounds promising, but I am hesitant to get involved with them. Answer: You’ve got good instincts. Many of the companies sending […]

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It’s okay to close credit accounts sometimes

Dear Liz: I have heard that you should never close credit card accounts of your own volition because that can hurt your credit scores. Are there any exceptions? I received a credit card several years ago, when my credit scores were in the toilet because of a number of collection accounts and delinquencies. I had […]

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Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to pick a credit card when your options are limited. Also in the news: Reducing your taxable income, rescuing your retirement plans, and why shopping from your couch on Black Friday could save you the most money. How to Pick a Credit Card When You Have Few Options Pay close attention […]

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Protect yourself from holiday credit card fraud

Holiday shopping means more opportunities to whip out your plastic—and more opportunities for thieves to try to steal your identity. Here’s what you should do. Be vigilant. If you haven’t already, sign up for online access to your bank and credit card accounts. You should be reviewing your transactions at least weekly. Be reachable. Update […]

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Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to avoid the worst credit cards of 2013. Also in the news: A new debt collection law, five things you should ask your financial advisor, and three investing mistakes retirees must avoid at all costs. How To Avoid The Worst Credit Cards Of 2013 Easy credit can come at a gigantic […]

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