Dear Liz: The beneficiary on the 529 college savings account I manage has no education plans so they cannot use the 529 funds without tax penalty. They also do not work, so I cannot roll the money over into a Roth IRA for them because there is no earned income to qualify for the rollover contribution. However, I […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: Social Security versus government pensions
Dear Liz: I have a dear friend who after 48 years of marriage went through a horrible divorce. She worked for a school district that did not pay into Social Security but her ex was self-employed and did pay into the system. I advised her to apply for spousal benefits but she was told she was […]
Q&A: Here’s a 2024 resolution: Stop using paper checks. Fraud is soaring
Dear Liz: I had several checks stolen from the U.S. Postal Service. The thieves altered and cashed the checks. I monitor my bank accounts religiously and discovered the altered checks quickly. I immediately put holds on the checks and for the most part I have been reimbursed. One check, however, was written out to one bank […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: January mortgage rate forecast. In other news: 4 things that could impact your credit in 2024, the new 2024-25 FAFSA, and how to pay for promising medications like Ozempic. January Mortgage Rate Forecast: Steady While Waiting for Spring Mortgage rates might not change much in January, after going through a tumultuous spell toward […]
Overspent in December? Here’s how to battle the January blues
The first workday in January after the holidays hits a little bit differently: The parties are over, debt payments are soon due and it can feel like there’s nothing to look forward to. You may be able to minimize the doldrums with some planning and other steps to turn things around, financial experts say. “Financial […]
Q&A: What is financial infidelity? And what should you do about it?
Dear Liz: My sister is married to a man who is considerably older. They’ve been married for eight years. He has cancer and the outlook isn’t good, but he refuses to discuss their financial status. As a result, she has no idea what’s going on. How can she force him to tell her their financial situation? […]