My recent MSN column, “One way money is a lot like sex,” has to do with the questions our kids sometimes ask–and how much discomfort we can feel about answering. I argue that we need to get comfortable talking about money with our children, because these are incredibly important teaching moments. Psychotherapist Thayer Willis, who’s […]
Recent Blog Posts
Save or pay debt? Do both
Dear Liz: I am a 67-year-old college instructor who plans to teach full time for at least eight more years. Last year I began collecting spousal benefits based on my ex-husband’s Social Security earnings record. Those benefits give me an extra $1,250 each month above my regular income. I have been using the money to […]
Estate taxes no longer a worry for most people
Dear Liz: My father passed away two years ago and my mother recently died as well. I will be getting about $50,000 from the sale of their house. Everyone tells me the tax on this will be very high, so I need advice about how not to give my parents’ money to the government. Their […]
Monday’s need-to-know money news
How to survive your child’s summer vacation without emptying your wallet, protecting your tuition investments, and how to ensure your semester abroad doesn’t lead to financial disaster. Six Ways to Save Money on Summer Childcare Keeping your child busy this summer doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. Why a Good Student Checking Account Matters […]
Marketplace launches “Family Feud”
Actually, the new feature from public radio’s Marketplace Money is called “Financial Feud,” but it deals with some family arguments about money that may sound more than a little familiar. Such as: Should I quit work to stay home with the baby when day care eats up most of my pay? My husband is going […]
Catch me on CNBC’s Closing Bell today
I’m scheduled to talk about mid-year financial moves you should be making now. It’ll be a short appearance somewhere around 4:20 p.m. Eastern. Also, this weekend, listen to Marketplace Money where I’ll be weighing in on a couple’s argument about whether she should quit her job to stay home with their child. Everybody’s conflicted on […]