Most of what we buy or consume requires trade-offs. When it comes to some of the most important features–convenience, thrift and environmental friendliness—we often settle for one or two out of three. A book and a few Web sites devoted to the “zero waste” movement have convinced me to try a little harder on the […]
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Thursday’s need-to-know money news
Making college more affordable, avoiding email scams, and deciding should get your iTunes library when you die. 14 Dangerous Emails That Could Be in Your Inbox It’s not just Nigerian princes anymore. Retiring Soon? Don’t Forget Tax Implications When planning your retirement budget, be sure to factor in these taxes. How to Cut Back on […]
Wednesday’s need-to-know money news
What 20-somethings can learn financially from their elders, how much that adorable new baby is going to cost you, and why the more you know could mean the more you spend. 7 Key Money Lessons for 20-Somethings Old-school money habits can help the new school financially. Raising Baby: Just How Much Does it Cost? So […]
Tuesday’s need-to-know money news
How to speed up your mortgage closing, saving more money with a maxed out 401(K), and preparing for your teenager’s time behind the wheel. Four Steps to a Speedier Mortgage Closing Speeding up the last, agonizing step before home ownership. How Rising Interest Rates Affect Retirement Rising interest rates could leave you altering your retirement […]
Co-signing card leads to collectors’ calls
Dear Liz: I co-signed a credit card for someone and the person defaulted on payment. I started making payments but could not continue because I became unemployed. The debt started at $15,631.23 but has gone up to $17,088.08 because of interest and fees. I previously had to go to court because my bank account was […]
How much should you spend on rent?
Dear Liz: I am wondering about what percentage of your income should your rent be. Ours at the moment is 35% just for rent, not including utilities or anything else. Answer: In high-cost areas, people regularly pay 40% or more of their income on housing. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. When you spend […]