This week’s top story: Tackle overdue taxes this year. In other news: Businesses can still claim worker tax credit from the pandemic, 10 cities that have the highest minimum wage in the U.S., and 10 rising vacation spots. Tackle Overdue Taxes This Year The sooner you can deal with unfiled and unpaid taxes, the better. Businesses […]
Recent Blog Posts
Romance scammers: They call you honey, but don’t send them money
Valentine’s Day might put you in the mood to look for love online. Unfortunately, criminals are also on the hunt, but for victims, not romance. “Meeting people online has opened the door to romance fraud,” says Kim Casci-Palangio, program director of the peer support program at the nonprofit Cybercrime Support Network in Ann Arbor, Michigan. […]
Q&A: Social Security survivor benefits
Dear Liz: You recently wrote that someone’s Social Security survivor benefit would be the same as her spouse’s, including the 8% annual delayed retirement credits and cost of living increases. My husband just took his Social Security at age 70 but we were told I wouldn’t get his full survivor benefit as I took my own benefit at age […]
Q&A: There’s a new option for leftover funds from a 529 college savings plan — your kid’s retirement
Dear Liz: We put four kids through college using 529 college savings. All four are out of college with good jobs and we have about $50,000 left over. Would you suggest just letting it build for the grandkids’ college in 20 to 30 years? The amount should grow considerably in that time and may pay for all the […]
Q&A: Protecting a daughter’s inheritance
Dear Liz: We need help knowing what to do regarding leaving our home and money to my unmarried daughter. She has had a boyfriend for over 15 years. How can we protect her inheritance so he can’t claim half? Answer: Inheritances are considered separate property. So her inheritance could be considered hers alone even if your […]
Retiring wasn’t easy — even after years of writing about it
A couple of years ago, I wrote a column about how to have a retirement worth saving for. It ended with a quote from personal finance educator Barbara O’Neill, who reflected on how the pandemic disrupted many retirees’ plans. “It wasn’t just two years lost, it was two good years,” O’Neill said then. “You don’t […]