Dear Liz: I’m confused about paying down credit card debt. Some say to pay the lowest-balance cards first and others say the highest balance or the one with the highest interest. I have almost $16,000 on credit cards ranging from a $4,930 balance on a card with an 8.24% interest rate to $660 on a […]
Recent Blog Posts
Credit card fraud alerts: don’t be too impressed
Dear Liz: My wife and I have had our bank’s airline cards a long time, but we want to change because it’s become almost impossible to cash in the miles. What I don’t see in various card-comparison articles are ratings of the card issuers for customer service and fraud protection. Our bank has been quite […]
Why company 401(k) matches matter
Dear Liz: As a CPA financial advisor to individuals and small businesses, I devour your column. It’s almost always spot on. But the first sentence of your advice to the person whose 401(k) doesn’t offer a match — “start looking for a better job” — was not, and you missed an opportunity to educate your […]
Tuesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Hiccups to avoid when applying for a VA loan. Also in the news: Keeping your home from turning into a money pit, learning the basics of the Affordable Care Act, and how to file your tax returns electronically. 5 Homebuying Hiccups for Veterans to Avoid How to clear any potential hurdles on […]
Student loan borrowers get relief from small lenders
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Student loan borrowers who feel trapped by high-rate private loans finally have more options to refinance their debt, but not everyone will be able to find relief. In January, Citizens Bank became the latest to offer private consolidation loans that provide lower and sometimes fixed rates to borrowers with good credit […]
Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: What to do with those savings bonds you received as a kid. Also in the news: Teaching your kids about personal finance, tips on becoming debt free in 2014, and when you can finally say goodbye to the old debt lingering on your credit report. What to Do With a Childhood Savings […]