Today’s top story: The key factors to getting the lowest mortgage rate. Also in the news: Personal finance trends for 2014, how to make teaching your kids about money fun, and what you can do to make good financial decisions all day long. The Most Important Factors to Getting the Lowest Mortgage Rate Your credit […]
Recent Blog Posts
A new way to stop robocalls
I signed up for the federal do not call list when it opened in 2004, and for years our landline was blissfully free of telemarketing calls. That’s changed in the past few years as illegal operations, many based overseas, started flagrantly violating the law. A new free service may give us some peace. Nomorobo, which […]
Tuesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Ten ways to fix the student loan crisis. Also in the news: Questions to ask before you retire, simple things you can do to boost your credit score, and the resolutions every indebted consumer should make. 10 Ways to Fix Student Loans in 2014 Actions Congress can take to help solve the […]
No match? Save anyway
Dear Liz: Lately I have been reading a lot about how people aren’t saving enough for retirement. Every article I read talks about the need to put enough into employers’ 401(k) programs to get the maximum possible company match. What do you do when your employer doesn’t match your contribution? Answer: You contribute anyway, and […]
Should she use 0% credit card offer to pay student loan debt?
Dear Liz: I currently owe $27,000 in student loans at an 11.5% interest rate. I have excellent credit and about $8,000 in savings and contribute 17% of my income to a workplace retirement plan. Should I invest less in my 401(k) and pay off debt instead? I just got a balance transfer offer for 0% […]
Close any cards you used at Target during the breach
Dear Liz: My debit card was part of the recent Target data breach (my credit union called me). I’ve read articles telling me to pull my credit reports. Here’s the thing: I already requested two of my three free credit reports in early December. When I read about the Target incident, I requested the third […]