Dear Liz: My wife and I have paid off our mortgage, we have no car loans, and we pay our credit card balances completely each month, which means that we basically pay no interest. We have four credit cards that are active and a couple more that are rarely used. My FICO score is currently […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: Which work years determine Social Security?
Dear Liz: My wife and I are both 59. We expect to retire in two or three years. We would not take Social Security until probably 67 because we will not need it when we retire. But would our Social Security benefits be less because we do not work for those five years before applying […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Could the dreaded selfie stop credit card theft? Also in the news: The pros and cons of tuition reimbursement insurance, tips on how to avoid losing value on gift cards, and Home Depot’s credit card breach is the biggest one yet. Could Selfies Stop Credit Card Fraud? Could having your picture on […]
“England is sinking. Scotland is rising.”
The narrator of the museum documentary we were watching in Edinburgh was referring to the geology of the United Kingdom, not its economy or politics. Yet the phrase resonated somehow. Since devolution, when the Scottish Parliament was established after nearly 300 years of British rule, the Scots have definitely taken their own way. One thing […]
Thursday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: The must-have personal finance apps. Also in the news: The financial implications of caring for a loved one, how to stay safe in the cloud, and what really happens after your credit card is stolen. 6 must-have personal finance apps Apps to put on that shiny new toy of yours. The Financial […]
Wednesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: The importance of understanding interest rates. Also in the news: Protecting your identity while shopping online, the pros and cons of retirement annuities, and what you should ask before paying your medical bills. Misunderstood Money Math: Why Interest Matters More Than You Think Understanding the complicated world of interest rates. 8 Ways […]