Dear Liz: We are tapping our child’s 529 college savings plan for the first time and are confused on what qualifies as a “qualified higher education expense.” Obviously tuition counts, but what about other fees, such as student body fees, health insurance coverage and tuition insurance? We’re also trying to figure out how much we can withdraw to […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: Claiming Social Security benefits
Dear Liz: My husband turned 70 this past May and waited until then to take his Social Security. I am 61 and will qualify for a benefit based on my work history, although my benefit is substantially less than his. I understand I can take half of his benefit at my full retirement age of 67. […]
More retailers are charging return fees. Here’s how to pay less
If you’re someone who likes to return and exchange gifts after the holidays, prepare yourself: Making returns could feel a little different this year. “It’s going to be hard for consumers to navigate,” says shopping expert Trae Bodge. “The return policies are all over the place.” The biggest change, she adds, is that more retailers […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: How to overcome the challenges buying a house in 2024. In other news: How to put a ting on it and save for a house, too, what documents to protect and how if a disaster strikes, and how the Fed affected your savings account in ’23 and what’s next. Buying a House […]
Q&A: Closing credit cards could hurt scores
Dear Liz: If I have a few credit cards, why would my credit be negatively affected if I paid off and closed some? Answer: Your credit scores won’t be negatively affected by paying off your card balances — quite the opposite. Paying off debt improves your credit utilization — the amount of your available credit you’re actively […]
Q&A: Social Security benefits for exes
Dear Liz: I divorced after three decades of marriage, and my ex remarried before age 60. If I understand Social Security’s rules correctly, that remarriage disqualified my ex from claiming a survivor’s benefit based on my work history. Here’s my question: If my ex’s current spouse dies before he does, does that then make him eligible […]