Dear Liz: Several years ago my wife inherited an IRA when her mother died. Her banker suggested rolling the IRA into an annuity with an insurance company. That company is difficult to deal with and not forthcoming about how the annuity is invested. She wants to convert the IRA into a certificate of deposit so […]
Recent Blog Posts
A fall financial cleanse could get your spending back on track
If summer is a season of spontaneity and indulgence, then fall offers a counterpoint: It’s a chance to get back on schedule, and back on budget. “Summer, with travel and no school, tends to be a really spendy time. The fall is a nice reset,” says Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, a certified financial planner and author […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: 3 ways to reduce taxes on Social Security. In other news: How one driver cut her auto insurance costs by almost 40%, how to budget with a fluctuating income, and divorce after 60 and health benefits. 3 Ways to Reduce Taxes on Social Security There are a few ways to reduce that […]
Q&A: Getting a second financial opinion
Dear Liz: My wife and I recently retired. Our investments are managed by a certified financial planner. Our nest egg has not shown much growth over the last several years. We think it is time for another professional advisor to analyze our portfolio and see if we are really heading in the right direction. Is this […]
Q&A: Divorced spouse benefits and remarriage
Dear Liz: My recently divorced girlfriend receives Social Security based on her ex-husband, who is still living. If we were to get married, would either of us lose part or all of our Social Security benefits? It seems like a simple, straightforward question, but every Social Security representative I speak with by phone or in person […]
Q&A: How landlords weigh your credit history when deciding whether to rent to you
Dear Liz: I recently paid off a large amount of credit card debt: over $15,000 in total to several credit card companies. How long does it take for my credit report to reflect that? I will be moving into an apartment in the next month or two. I don’t want my application to be denied because my debt […]