Dear Liz: My stepmother passed away in December 2006, and her executor, who was her financial planner, distributed the estate according to her trust. A while after this, I discovered that she had a life insurance policy that hadn’t been addressed. The executor pursued this and found that $80,000 was due to the three primary […]
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Q&A: Getting out of a bad car loan can be tricky
Dear Liz: My car payment is $465 a month with a 22% interest rate. I need to get out of this car and into a lower car payment. My credit is poor. What is the best solution to go about this? Answer: There are a number of solutions, most of which probably won’t work for […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: What retailers don’t want you to know about Black Friday. Also in the news: What to know about tax breaks for disabled individuals, how managing your money is like losing weight, and three retirement tips your not thinking about. 4 Things Retailers Don’t Want You to Know About Black Friday You might […]
Thursday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Why your bank may not be giving you the best interest rate. Also in the news: How to manage the variable costs in your budget, how to avoid bank fees, and the highest paying college majors. Why Your Bank May Not Be Giving You the Best Mortgage Rate Two ways to tilt […]
Wednesday’s need-to-need money news
Today’s top story: Ten smart money moves that take only ten minutes. Also in the news: Healthy money habits to teach your kids, money management apps that automate your finances, and the power of the Get Lost Fund. 10 Smart Money Moves That Take 10 Minutes You can spare the time. 5 Healthy Money Habits […]
The best ways to build credit now
Once, building credit meant taking on debt — sometimes expensive debt like a car loan or a credit card with a high rate. Today, it’s possible to build a good credit score in a year without a big chunk of cash upfront or a large debt at the end. You can make yourself look better […]