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 […]
Recent Blog Posts
Tuesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: When to ditch your state’s health insurance exchange. Also in the news: Tailgating blunders your insurance will pay for, how to handle unexpected financial disasters, and how much next year’s Social Security cost of living increase will be. When to Ditch Your State’s Health Insurance Exchange When to look off of the […]
Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: The benefits of credit counseling for everyone. Also in the news: Tips on “late-stage” college planning, how to avoid magical thinking in personal finance, and the 4-point finance checklist for 50-somethings. The Benefits of Credit Counseling — Even When You Don’t Yet Need It Surprising things you can learn. Tips on ‘Late-Stage’ […]
Q&A: Friend erroneously declared deceased
Dear Liz: I have an elderly friend who was recently erroneously declared deceased by the Social Security Administration. She received no notice of this declaration and her first awareness that something might be wrong was when her personal checks and automatic payments to utilities and others began to bounce. When she called her bank, she […]
Q&A: Job hopping can be a good strategy for young workers
Dear Liz: I am a millennial and just started a new job at a very small company. I really like the work I do and the leaders of the company. However, I don’t make enough to move out of my parents’ home and be financially secure. I live in the Washington, D.C., area and make […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Why you should be wary of payday loans for small businesses. Also in the news: NerdWallet’s best credit card tips for October, financial fine-tuning to do before year’s end, and ten ways to make the most of your rewards credit card. Worries Grow Over ‘Payday Loans for Small Businesses’ — What You […]