If your kids aren’t bugging you about taking a Disney cruise, then either you don’t have kids or they can’t talk yet. The idea that any child would be immune from Disney’s marketing might is hard to fathom. Disney cruises are pricier than most others for good reason, as I explained this week in my […]
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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: The cost of spending your retirement money before you retire. Also in the news: How to build a high credit score from scratch, how to get over spending mistakes, and the boring secret to getting rich. Should You Ever Spend Your Retirement Money Before You Retire? It’ll cost you. 3 Steps To […]
Q&A: Parental identity theft
Dear Liz: I have been dating my boyfriend for about eight months and he recently told me that his dad took out a credit card in his name when he was a baby. He has about $150,000 in debt because of this! This is a very serious, life-changing crime but my boyfriend is reluctant to […]
Q&A: Credit card useage
Dear Liz: I recently refinanced my home and one of the perks was a 0% interest credit card. The problem is that I have two credit cards and I am happy with them, but I am afraid that having a third will adversely affect my credit score. I have no plans to borrow money in […]
Q&A: State tax breaks for 529 plans
Dear Liz: You recently answered a question from grandparents who were contributing $20,000 to their grandson’s college education. You correctly told them they did not qualify fdownloador federal education tax credits or deductions because he was not a dependent. You might let grandparents know, however, that they may get a state tax break for contributing […]
Q&A: Thrift Savings Plan
Dear Liz: I am a federal government retiree with a very small retirement account in the Thrift Savings Plan. Where can I invest my small savings so it can safely grow? The balance has not changed for over six months now. If I keep it in the Thrift Savings Plan, what fund is the safest? […]