Getting into an Ivy League school is basically a lottery for smart kids. There are no guarantees. Winning admission at many highly-regarded public universities is easier, but only by comparison. UCLA accepts about a quarter of its applicants, instead of the single digit acceptance rate at Harvard or Yale. Look outside that privileged circle of […]
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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Look out for the latest IRS phone call scam. Also in the news: How social spending could be ruining your budget, why millennials should be pressing credit instead of debit, and how to extend the life of your child’s inherited IRA. Don’t Fall for the ‘Steve Martin’ IRS Phone Call Scam Watch […]
Get free financial advice
Need some free, one-on-one financial help from a qualified advisor with no strings attached? Check out the Financial Planning Days being offered around the country throughout October and November. These events are brought to you by a host of reputable organizations: the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, the Financial Planning Association, the Foundation for […]
Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: What you should do if you’re late with your credit card payments. Also in the news: How the homes of baby boomers could become liabilities, what 20% of tax payers are doing wrong, and why you should freeze your spending now to save for the holidays. What to do if you’re late […]
Q&A: Graduation gifts and financial aid
Dear Liz: Our grandson’s stellar high school performance and his family financial situation were such that he was admitted to his state university with grants sufficient to pay all school fees, including room and board, with no loans or work-study. His grandmother and I have a 529 account in his name that has enough money […]
Q&A: Prioritizing your financial goals
Dear Liz: How do you prioritize financial goals on a small salary? I am 24 and a college graduate with about $40,000 in student loan debt. Because I work full-time at a nonprofit educational organization, about half of my loans qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, so I currently only pay the monthly […]