In a previous post, I discussed one of the best ways to stretch your travel dollars in Europe: visiting “second” cities, the somewhat less-traveled metropolises that allow you to experience a country’s culture and sights without the huge crowds and high prices of its capital cities. Here’s one to consider adding to your list: Troyes […]
Recent Blog Posts
Europe on a budget: The best affordable hotel chains
If you’re a frequent traveler in the U.S., you probably have a favorite affordable hotel chain. It’s the one you book when you don’t want to spend a fortune for a single night but still want a decent experience. (We’re fans of Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express, for example.) Finding similar options in Europe […]
The best free museums in Paris
Museums in Paris typically aren’t cheap, with adult ticket prices often ranging between $15 and $20, depending on the exchange rate. There are, however, a number of absolutely wonderful museums in Paris that are also absolutely free. Here are some that I highly recommend: The Musée Carnavalet. This Paris history museum is housed in two […]
Will you face a tax bomb in retirement?
Good savers, beware. The money you’re stuffing into your 401(k) and other retirement accounts has to be withdrawn someday. If you’re not strategic about how you save, you could face unnecessarily high tax bills and inflated Medicare premiums in retirement — plus, you could be saddling your heirs with higher taxes. The earlier you start […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on spring-cleaning, and paying off different types of debt. In other news: What could happen if Congress doesn’t make changes to Social Security by 2035, mortgage could be harder to get in a credit-tightening era, and 4 tips for a meaningful and successful retirement. Smart Money Podcast: Spring-Cleaning, and […]
Q&A: Switching between survivor benefits
Dear Liz: My wife is drawing Social Security survivor benefits. Next year I will start drawing my own Social Security benefits at full retirement age. If I were to die, could she switch over to survivor benefits based on my work history? I know she would get a lot more than what she’s getting now, which […]