3 time-sensitive money tasks for new widows and widowers

Widows and widowers are often told not to make any major decisions for a year or more after a spouse’s death. Grief can cause you to make choices you later regret. Some financial tasks, though, shouldn’t be postponed. Revising your budget, meeting with a tax pro and securing access to credit can help protect you […]

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This week’s money news

This week’s top story: White House touts U.S. economy’s strength as election year begins. In other news: 5 signs you should consolidate your credit card debt in 2024, the cost of literally keeping your chin up, and 5 cities where you can book a 5-star hotel for cheap. White House Touts U.S. Economy’s Strength as Election […]

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Q&A: 529 college savings rollovers

Dear Liz: The beneficiary on the 529 college savings account I manage has no education plans so they cannot use the 529 funds without tax penalty. They also do not work, so I cannot roll the money over into a Roth IRA for them because there is no earned income to qualify for the rollover contribution. However, I […]

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Q&A: Social Security versus government pensions

Dear Liz: I have a dear friend who after 48 years of marriage went through a horrible divorce. She worked for a school district that did not pay into Social Security but her ex was self-employed and did pay into the system. I advised her to apply for spousal benefits but she was told she was […]

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Q&A: Here’s a 2024 resolution: Stop using paper checks. Fraud is soaring

Dear Liz: I had several checks stolen from the U.S. Postal Service. The thieves altered and cashed the checks. I monitor my bank accounts religiously and discovered the altered checks quickly. I immediately put holds on the checks and for the most part I have been reimbursed. One check, however, was written out to one bank […]

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This week’s money news

This week’s top story: January mortgage rate forecast. In other news: 4 things that could impact your credit in 2024, the new 2024-25 FAFSA, and how to pay for promising medications like Ozempic. January Mortgage Rate Forecast: Steady While Waiting for Spring Mortgage rates might not change much in January, after going through a tumultuous spell toward […]

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Overspent in December? Here’s how to battle the January blues

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 […]

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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? […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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