Dear Liz: I am a CPA and fairly knowledgeable about investing, but I have a question about my IRAs. I am 58 and my husband is in his mid-80s. We both are retired with federal pensions and no debt other than a mortgage. My plan is to start taking money annually from my traditional IRA […]
Recent Blog Posts
A credit line can help with cash flow gaps
Dear Liz: My husband and I are self-employed. As we pay our bills, we are often a few thousand dollars short as we wait to be paid by our clients. Until now, we’ve been using a home equity line of credit to bridge the gap. We are ultra-responsible about paying it back. But our current […]
Monday’s need-to-know money news
Living within your means with a smile on your face, getting the most from your credit score, and separating fact from fiction with life insurance. 5 Tips for Frugal Living That Won’t Leave You Feeling Miserable Living within your means doesn’t mean misery. What’s the Lowest Credit Score You Can Get? Don’t let your fear […]
In case you missed it: car leases, celebrity estate disasters and how to choose your first credit card
Here’s a column I never thought I’d write: “Sometimes, leasing a car is the right option.” Most people are way better off financially if they buy cars slightly used and own them for at least 10 years. Even if you want to buy new, you’ll save a fortune (at least $250,000, by my calculations) by […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Determining credit worthiness, how money problems distract workers, how to develop good financial habits, and what to do when you have student loans from multiple lenders. The Non-Credit Score Numbers Your Lender Wants to Know Looking beyond your credit score to determine your credit worthiness. Personal Finance Problems Distract Workers Stress over finances can cause […]
Spousal vs. survivor benefits: a primer
Judging from emails and comments, plenty of people are confused about how Social Security benefits for spouses and ex-spouses are supposed to work. That’s unfortunate, since these benefits can help many people get larger checks than what their own earnings record will give them. If you are or ever have been married to someone whose […]