Dear Liz: I am confused. I have always thought there was one FICO score, prepared by a private company. I thought each credit agency also had its own credit score but it was not scaled the same as FICO. Your recent column said one can buy two of the three FICO scores (Equifax and TransUnion), […]
Recent Blog Posts
In case you missed it: “cliff” retirements and how to tell if Mom is losing it
How can you make up for lost time if you’re approaching retirement age and haven’t saved enough? Adjusting your expectations is the first big step. Read about the others in “Facing the ‘cliff’ of retirement.” The early signs of dementia may not be what you expect. In “How to tell if Mom is losing it,” […]
Monday’s need-to-know money news
Baby Boomers are facing a different kind of retirement, how canceling credit cards impacts your credit score, how the new home office deduction may reduce your taxes and what happens to joint accounts when a parent declares bankruptcy. Why Boomers May Not Retire like Their Parents Is the baby boom generation about to fizzle? Prepaid […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
How to tweak your retirement, save on summer utility bills, and enjoying having to show an ID. 10-Minute Tweaks to Save Your Retirement Simple steps that could go a long way towards saving your retirement. How to Control Your Utility Bills This Summer Don’t let your air conditioner melt your wallet. Why Paying Down Your […]
Thursday’s need-to-know money news
Advice on how to hire a contractor, how not to waste your summer vacation money on AMT fees, and what to do when you realize someone has hacked your email. Top 8 Pro Tips on Hiring a Contractor Home renovations can be much less stressful with the right contractor. Save Money on Summer Travel by […]
All my exes and Social Security taxes: a quiz
The questions I get about Social Security have made it clear how incredibly complicated this benefits system can be. So here’s a little story to illustrate one important facet of Social Security: spousal benefits. Jack was a charming guy—maybe too charming. He enjoyed the ladies and the ladies enjoyed him, at least until they discovered […]