Dear Liz: I desperately need your help! My husband, who is 91, is in the early stages of dementia. I just turned 88 and for the first time am responsible for making all the financial decisions. We are deeply in debt and I don’t know the best way to proceed. We owe more than $40,000 […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: There’s a big difference in various kinds of bonds
Dear Liz: My mutual funds and IRA are mostly in stocks with very little in bonds. I’m thinking I should have more in bonds, but just don’t know how much I should transfer from the stock funds and which bond fund to pick. Are they all the same? Answer: Just as with stock funds, bond […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Is Bitcoin safe? Also in the news: How to buy better gifts with credit card rewards, must-have tools and tips for year-end retirement planning, and smart money lessons for kids that can last a lifetime. Is Bitcoin Safe? A roundtable debate. How to Buy Better Gifts With Credit Card Rewards Using your […]
Thursday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: How not to go broke attending holiday parties. Also in the news: Self-taught financial advisers keep it real about money, how to determine if your taxes are going up, and how to spend your extra FSA money. You Don’t Have to Go Broke Attending Holiday Parties Having fun without breaking the bank. […]
Tuesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: How to live below your means without feeling deprived. Also in the news: How to dodge the drama of family loans, the launch of Apple Pay Cash, and using Social Security benefits to plan your retirement income. How to Live Below Your Means Without Feeling Deprived It doesn’t have to be a […]
Would a bank payday loan be any safer?
A “safer” payday loan sounds like an oxymoron. Critics have branded these notoriously high-cost loans as debt traps that cause borrowers to go ever deeper in the hole. Thanks to a recent regulatory change, it now may be possible for banks to offer small, short-term loans that could be a lot less dangerous for borrowers. […]