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 […]
Recent Blog Posts
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? […]
Q&A: Should you close a credit card?
Dear Liz: You recently wrote about how closing credit cards can hurt your credit scores. I’m wondering what impact closing a business credit card would have on my personal credit score. For many years I have been working in the film industry under contracts with my personal services loan-out company. My company has two credit cards, including a […]
Q&A: Social Security survivor benefits
Dear Liz: I am trying to understand the Social Security survivor benefit. I delayed starting to receive my benefits until I reached age 70. My wife just started receiving benefits at 66 and 10 months. Upon my passing, will she receive my benefit at full retirement age, plus the 8% annual delayed retirement credit plus the annual cost […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: Should you use your home or car as collateral for a credit card? In other news: 5 financial new year’s resolutions for 2024, airline that has been the most reliable in 2023, and to cash a check at any bank or check-cashing service. Should You Use Your Home or Car as Collateral for […]
Q&A: Distributing funds from inherited IRAs
Dear Liz: You have referenced the relatively new 10-year rule that sets a deadline for distributing money out of an inherited IRA. You mentioned that surviving spouses are one exception to that rule. Aren’t there others? Answer: Yes. The 10-year rule applies to IRAs of those who die after Dec. 31, 2019. Most non-spouse inheritors must empty an inherited […]