Some people rent in retirement because they don’t have much choice; they can’t afford to own homes. But financial planners say renting can make more sense than owning in some circumstances, even for retirees who can afford the costs of homeownership. Renting offers flexibility as well as freedom from all the chores and expenses of […]
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This week’s money news
This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on CDs and managing a life-changing windfall. In other news: How to minimize the impact to your business from a bank failure, how Silicon Valley Bank failed, and the hurdles on the road to Medicare coverage of cannabis. Smart Money Podcast: Are CDs Worth It, and Managing a Life-Changing […]
Q&A: How an unexpected credit score drop could signal a serious problem
Dear Liz: I pay off each of my credit card purchases online, usually within a few days. My monthly statement balance is usually $0 even though I use the card frequently. The card is my only open credit account. I saw my credit score recently and it has dipped below 650. It used to be over […]
Q&A: Living trust setup costs
Dear Liz: A friend of mine contacted an estate planning attorney to do a living trust. The attorney gave her an estimate of $5,900 for this job. My friend is single, never married, no children, does not own property or a business. She has no complex financial situations. She does have a financial planner, who she […]
How to fight the ‘pink tax’ amid inflation
Trae Bodge, a shopping expert who lives in the New York City area, sees higher prices for products and services marketed to women everywhere: Socks, razors, shampoo and apparel are a few of the product types aimed at women that tend to cost more. “I don’t know why brands think this is acceptable,” Bodge says. […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on how COVID-19 changed our finances — and our advice. In other news: Ride out fed rate hikes at a credit union, tax tips for crowdfunding, and credit or debit card for kids. Smart Money Podcast: How COVID-19 Changed Our Finances — and Our Advice This week’s episode features […]