Bedbugs. Weird smells. The possibility of imminent breakdowns. People have all sorts of excuses for not buying used stuff. Those who deliberately buy used items, though, say such fears are not just overblown — they’re also expensive. In my latest for the Associated Press, how buying used items can save you money while not sacrificing […]
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Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: You could be overspending with credit cards. Yes, you. Also in the news: Your excuses for not contributing to a 401(k) are dwindling, which is the best way for you to zap your debt, and how millennials can prepare for the next financial crisis. You Could Be Overspending With Credit Cards. Yes, […]
Q&A: Sinking under a heavy debt load? There’s help
Dear Liz: I am trying to get my finances in order and, like many, I am struggling. The majority of my debt comes from student loans, but I also have unsecured debt that is weighing me down. I work for a nonprofit and know I need to contact my lenders to try to enroll in […]
Q&A: How to find out if a car has flood damage
Dear Liz: You’ve been writing recently about how to find a good, cheap used car. Can you write about how to research whether a car has been damaged in a flood? Answer: Carfax, which provides vehicle history reports, offers a free flood check in the “resources” section of the site’s press center. Flood-damaged cars that […]
Q&A: Debt has a habit of hanging around
Dear Liz: Last year my dad had an account he couldn’t pay and it is showing up on his credit report as a closed, charged-off account. As expected, the lender sold it to another company. The new company now also has it listed as an open account in collection on his credit report. How can […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Helping after a disaster: will your insurance protect you? Also in the news: How to prevent credit card photo-bombs on your social media, Millennials are falling for young stocks, and how to lift or cancel a credit freeze. Helping After a Disaster: Will Your Insurance Protect You? What you need to know. […]