Dear Liz: I was told by Social Security that because I remarried at 60, I could still collect half of my ex’s benefits once he died. He has just died, and half of his benefit is greater than my own retirement benefit. My current husband has not started benefits. If I collect half of my ex’s […]
Recent Blog Posts
How to take a career break
Back in 2016, Jamie Clark of Seattle was a software engineer who planned to take a year off of work to finish a master’s degree in computational linguistics. One year turned into three and a career change into financial planning. Nowadays, Clark, who uses they/them pronouns, believes the experience makes them a better advisor – […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on crypto crash, and growing money fast. In other news: Timeline, fallout and what investors should know about FTX crash, the new reality of a $700 monthly car payment, and 5 key numbers to know about CDs. Smart Money Podcast: Crypto Crash, and Growing Money Fast This week’s episode […]
Q&A: Here are credit score quirks to know about before you apply for a loan
Dear Liz: I have been reading your Money Talk column for years and it seems that about a third of the questions pertain to credit scores. Why are people fixated on their FICO result? I was unaware of my score until recently, when my bank accounts started showing my score when I am online. I am […]
Q&A: ‘Assets under management’ advisors
Dear Liz: We’ve been using a fee-only financial advisor for 25 years. We’d discuss what we needed, she would tell us how many hours it would take, then she invoiced us at an hourly fee. She recently joined a company that charges 1% of investment portfolios to provide financial advice. Is this still considered fee-only financial […]
Will adding an accessory dwelling unit pay off?
Accessory dwelling units are known by many names: in-law suites, guest houses, backyard cottages, or basement or garage conversions, among others. What all ADUs have in common is that they’re a separate living space typically added to a single-family residential lot, and they’re having a moment. Constructing an ADU could increase your property value while […]