Get smart with your money
Dear Liz: I just read your reply to the woman who was struggling to make ends meet with her part-time job. She was wondering whether she should sell her house and move in with her mother. I couldn’t get to my computer fast enough to ask you how on Earth you can recommend with a […]
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Why you’re never really alone while shopping at the mall, what debt you should focus on first after graduating, and how to protect your finances from natural disasters (sharknado!). Is Your Mall Spying on You? Your cellphone could be providing retailers with a wealth of information. How to Keep Telemarketers at Bay Putting a stop […]
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Too many people believe too many lies about credit scores, and it’s costing them money. Read the real scoop in my MSN Money column “Credit score myths that need to die.” Our family may never achieve “zero waste,” but we’ve started some easy ways to reduce the amount of garbage we generate. More in “Are […]
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How to save big bucks when traveling, preparing for back to school shopping, and what mistakes to avoid when managing your 401(k). 5 Coolest Travel Share Websites Why pay for an overpriced hotel room when you can have the literal run of the house? 9 Money Management Tips for Newly Employed Millennials Finally making real […]
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Most of what we buy or consume requires trade-offs. When it comes to some of the most important features–convenience, thrift and environmental friendliness—we often settle for one or two out of three. A book and a few Web sites devoted to the “zero waste” movement have convinced me to try a little harder on the […]
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Making college more affordable, avoiding email scams, and deciding should get your iTunes library when you die. 14 Dangerous Emails That Could Be in Your Inbox It’s not just Nigerian princes anymore. Retiring Soon? Don’t Forget Tax Implications When planning your retirement budget, be sure to factor in these taxes. How to Cut Back on […]
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What 20-somethings can learn financially from their elders, how much that adorable new baby is going to cost you, and why the more you know could mean the more you spend. 7 Key Money Lessons for 20-Somethings Old-school money habits can help the new school financially. Raising Baby: Just How Much Does it Cost? So […]
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How to speed up your mortgage closing, saving more money with a maxed out 401(K), and preparing for your teenager’s time behind the wheel. Four Steps to a Speedier Mortgage Closing Speeding up the last, agonizing step before home ownership. How Rising Interest Rates Affect Retirement Rising interest rates could leave you altering your retirement […]
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Dear Liz: I co-signed a credit card for someone and the person defaulted on payment. I started making payments but could not continue because I became unemployed. The debt started at $15,631.23 but has gone up to $17,088.08 because of interest and fees. I previously had to go to court because my bank account was […]
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Dear Liz: I am wondering about what percentage of your income should your rent be. Ours at the moment is 35% just for rent, not including utilities or anything else. Answer: In high-cost areas, people regularly pay 40% or more of their income on housing. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. When you spend […]
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