Coping with a lost generation of income

The typical American family makes less than it did in 1989, according to a recent Washington Post analysis of Census Bureau data. Although some pundits seem to have completely missed the point—one even argued that we’re better off now because electronics are cheaper—most people instinctively understand how not-good this actually is. It’s a reversal of […]

Continue reading...

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

How to win the retirement lottery, getting help with your finances, and what boomers need to know about Obamacare enrollment. Open A 401(k) And Win The Retirement Lottery Opening a 401k as soon as possible could be the key to a prosperous retirement. How Can I Get Help With My Finances? How to take the […]

Continue reading...

Monday’s need-to-know money news

How to do your banking on your phone, solving the mysteries of Obamacare, and avoiding the habits that could ruin your retirement. Can a Debt Collector Double My Debt? Unfortunately, they can. How to Stay Safe Banking on Your Phone Learn how to safely pay your bills in between rounds of Angry Birds. Obamacare Isn’t […]

Continue reading...

How to make charitable giving part of your financial plan

Dear Liz: What are your thoughts on charitable giving? I hear about tithing (giving 10% of income) but would have real problems trying to maintain that commitment. That said, I’d like to become a regular donor to a reputable charity. Answer: Most U.S. households give to charity, according to the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana […]

Continue reading...

Reverse mortgage: what to consider

Dear Liz: All my friends have said I should get a reverse mortgage to be able to live more comfortably and still stay in my house. I would think our greedy banking system would give you only 50% of value and have a high interest rate that would chew up the remaining value. What is […]

Continue reading...

What you need to know about estate planning

Exclusive to Ask Liz Weston, this post comes courtesy of Ally Bank. Whether you’ve worked for years or you’re just starting out, it makes sense to create a plan for distributing your assets after you’re gone. That’s where estate planning comes in. Estate planning may involve everything from creating a will to establishing trusts to […]

Continue reading...

Friday’s need-to-know money news

How to cure your financial jealousy, steps to improve your credit score, and understanding the Affordable Care Act. How to Combat Financial Envy The greener grass isn’t always the better grass. 5 Budget Busters Draining Your Wallet Simple changes to monthly expenses could make a big difference. 5 Steps to Improving Your Credit Score Paying […]

Continue reading...

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Playing mortgage tag, how to protect your accounts from cyber spies, and surviving the dreaded audit. The bank that rejects the most mortgages A rejection at one bank could still mean approval at another. 3 Accounts That Could Hurt Your Credit Score Looking beyond credit cards. How to prevent financial snooping How to keep your […]

Continue reading...

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Mythbusting disability insurance, how to protect the finances of someone with Alzheimer’s disease, and what Mike Tyson and retirement planning have in common. 5 Myths About Disability Insurance Mythbusting an essential. Steps to Protect Finances of Those with Alzheimer’s Help for those in the difficult role of being a financial caretaker. How to Develop the […]

Continue reading...

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Controlling shared credit card use, the pros and cons of a high-deductible health plan, and ways to save while grocery shopping. What to Do if an Authorized User Is Abusing Your Credit Card Setting boundaries for shared credit cards. r 6 Tips for Navigating the New Health Insurance Exchanges Don’t be intimidated by the new […]

Continue reading...