October 25, 2021 By

Q&A: Debt relief offers aren’t all equal. Is bankruptcy a good option?

Dear Liz: There seems to be an abundance of companies offering debt reduction, debt settlement and debt consolidation programs now. Are there any differences in these programs? Some of these companies offer a program whereby high credit card balances and loans are combined and substantially reduced, and the debtor would make a single payment to […]

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October 22, 2021 By

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 car-buying mistakes to avoid in today’s overheated market. Also in the news: PPP is gone but government help for small businesses isn’t, experts make 5 predictions for Black Friday 2021, and how to avoid making this common mistake with your health savings account. 5 Car-Buying Mistakes to Avoid in Today’s Overheated […]

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October 21, 2021 By

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How the toy shortage could affect your holiday. Also in the news: How to pay for home improvements without equity, 3 free ways to run your business more smoothly, and how to save money like a ‘super saver’. How the Toy Shortage Could Affect Your Holidays Popular toys could be hard to […]

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October 19, 2021 By

How the toy shortage could affect your holidays

Many popular toys may sell out long before the holidays, thanks to ongoing pandemic-related disruptions. This could be a disaster — or a great opportunity to reshape how we celebrate. We can shop earlier and more thoughtfully, resisting the last-minute scramble for “must-have” items that really aren’t. We can choose classic over trendy, handmade over […]

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October 18, 2021 By

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The end of student loan forbearance will be tougher on women. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on what people get wrong about credit and how to build a budget when you’re self-employed, 5 misconceptions about how insurers price your auto premium, and start your holiday […]

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October 18, 2021 By

Q&A: How to pass on inheritance to your children

Dear Liz: I may inherit $500,000 but do not necessarily need the money for my retirement. Is there a way to pass that inheritance, or a part of it, to my two children without incurring a taxable event for myself or for them? I may want to ask my parents to add that to their […]

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October 18, 2021 By

Q&A: Medicare Advantage questions

Dear Liz: You posted a letter against Medicare Advantage plans. The letter suggested that you had to go to their doctors, which is false. You can go out of network with a higher deductible. I will also tell you that most of those same doctors accept your in-network deductible. I do this all the time […]

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October 14, 2021 By

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 ways to fortify your finances against natural disasters. Also in the news: What ‘Medicare For All’ could mean for your healthcare, 8 times to rethink asking for a credit card product change, and the risks of crypto loans. 4 Ways to Fortify Your Finances Against Natural Disaster A “go bag” for […]

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