Get smart with your money
How your credit score could impact your child’s’ student loan, the best cars to keep young drivers safe, and where to expect the worst possible customer service. How Credit Scores Impact Some Student Loan Approvals How the credit scores of both you and your co-signer could affect your interest rates. The 10 Best Cars for […]
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Lifehacker’s post today “How Much You Should Save for Retirement, Based on 139 Years of Data” is a nice summary of Professor Wade Pfau’s research on “safe savings rates.” But some of the comments made me groan. The reasons people gave for not saving for retirement aren’t unusual: some can’t imagine ever getting old (you […]
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If you’re self-employed, you’ve probably noticed that standard money advice often falls short. A lot of what you read assumes you receive regular, predictable paychecks with taxes already withheld and benefits covered. Just try finding advice to deal with the following: A major customer abruptly changes payment policies, so that five-figure check you’re counting on […]
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Learning how to take advice, cleaning up your credit report, and why working an extra year or two could be a good thing. Why Can’t We Follow Simple, Good Money Advice? Why is it so hard to adhere to the basics? 10 Steps to Help Erase Errors on Your Credit Report Tips on removing errors […]
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Why students are a prime target for identity thieves, an easy way to save money on homeowners insurance, mistakes to avoid when buying a house and how cell-using drivers set themselves up for disaster. The ABCs of Back-to-School Identity Theft Protection Students of all ages are easy targets for identity theft. Simple Tip Can Save […]
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Dear Liz: I am a CPA and fairly knowledgeable about investing, but I have a question about my IRAs. I am 58 and my husband is in his mid-80s. We both are retired with federal pensions and no debt other than a mortgage. My plan is to start taking money annually from my traditional IRA […]
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Dear Liz: My husband and I are self-employed. As we pay our bills, we are often a few thousand dollars short as we wait to be paid by our clients. Until now, we’ve been using a home equity line of credit to bridge the gap. We are ultra-responsible about paying it back. But our current […]
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Living within your means with a smile on your face, getting the most from your credit score, and separating fact from fiction with life insurance. 5 Tips for Frugal Living That Won’t Leave You Feeling Miserable Living within your means doesn’t mean misery. What’s the Lowest Credit Score You Can Get? Don’t let your fear […]
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Here’s a column I never thought I’d write: “Sometimes, leasing a car is the right option.” Most people are way better off financially if they buy cars slightly used and own them for at least 10 years. Even if you want to buy new, you’ll save a fortune (at least $250,000, by my calculations) by […]
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