Today’s top story: Tax tips for military personnel. Also in the news: What to do when your credit card interest rate goes up, how to handle tax return fraud, and how to survive financially when you don’t have an emergency fund. Top Tax Tips for Military Personnel Military service comes with some unique tax breaks. […]
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Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: The downsides of low-interest credit cards. Also in the news: How to beat a spending addiction, the complicated world of the Alternative Minimum Tax, and how to get a better credit card rate by threatening to cancel. 7 Downsides of Low-Interest Credit Cards What’s great in the short terms could come back […]
Q&A: IRA interest rate terms
Dear Liz: I went to renew my IRA certificate of deposit and the bank officer suggested that I renew at the greater rate being offered for a five-year term (about 1.5% APR) rather than the lower rate for a one-year term (about 1% APR). She explained that since I am over 59 1/2, I can […]
Q&A: Social Security spousal benefits
Dear Liz: I am 61 and going through a second divorce. Would I be able to start drawing my first husband’s Social Security now or would I have to wait till I am 62 later this year? Also, could I draw off my second husband’s work record, since he made more money? Which would benefit […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Five signs of impending financial doom. Also in the news: Spring cleaning your finances, the risks of automatic bill pay, and why you should keep a burner email account. 5 Signs You’re Financially Overextended Your finances could be heading for disaster. 7 tips for financial spring cleaning Time to clean the dust […]
Lies, damn lies and press releases
A recent press release from an “identity theft protection company” was so filled with misinformation, I had to double-check make sure it wasn’t April Fool’s Day. Here’s what it said: The Federal Trade Commission believes ID Fraud will be a significant issue during this tax season. Many people will consider freezing their credit report if […]