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 […]
Recent Blog Posts
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 […]
Divorced? You may qualify for half of ex’s Social Security
Dear Liz: Many years ago I read about spousal benefits based on an ex-spouse’s Social Security earnings record. Is there a minimum length of time of the marriage to qualify? How do I apply for this benefit? I am within nine months of retirement. Answer: You can qualify for Social Security spousal benefits based on […]
Monday’s need-to-know money news
How to make the best out of credit card annoyances, tips on finding the best unsecured loans and how a little known settlement fee between credit card companies and retailers could save you money at the register. 10 Common Credit Card Complaints From annual fees to lousy customer service, tips on how to manage the […]
In case you missed it: the youth edition
Spurning credit cards means younger people have less toxic debt but they may be doing inadvertent damage to their credit scores and costing themselves money. Learn more in “Why young people hate credit cards.” Read some smart answers to the awkward questions your kids may ask about family finances in “One way money is a […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
How to prepare for a disaster, avoid the financial pitfalls that come with a speeding ticket and how to get the latest iDevice without destroying your family budget. How to Plan for Any Disaster Preparing for the unexpected. Do Employer Credit Checks Damage Credit Scores? Understanding employer’s right to access your credit information. 5 Tickets […]