Worry about the right thing with estate taxes

Death and taxes may be the only certainties in life, but death taxes are only a remote possibility for most people. The vast majority of Americans won’t ever have or give away enough to owe estate or gift taxes. Far more people could be affected if a tax break that benefits heirs is eliminated. While […]

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Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: No flood insurance? Here’s how to get help. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast about saving on gas and 401(k) limits, 3 ways to get socially distanced tax prep help this year, and how to protect yourself from Facebook and Instagram ad scams. No Flood Insurance? […]

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Q&A: Retirement saving after layoff

Dear Liz: My husband and I are both in our early 50s and have been contributing the full amount to each of our 401(k) plans, plus the catch-up amounts since we turned 50. I was laid off in February 2020 and had only contributed $3,000. I had assumed I’d get a new job quickly, but […]

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Q&A: How to keep your lightly used credit cards from closing

Dear Liz: I had a credit card that didn’t expire until 2024 but the issuer closed my account because it hadn’t been used in a few years. During these difficult times, I didn’t want to get into a lot of debt by using too many cards. The issuer should have let me know this could […]

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Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Smart ways to negotiate your salary in an uncertain economy. Also in the news: Student loan scams are on the rise, 5 things to consider when picking a college in the COVID-19 era, and how to claim retroactive unemployment benefits. Smart Ways to Negotiate Your Salary in an Uncertain Economy If you’re […]

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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why you should stop waiting to sell your home. Also in the news: How to find a Black financial advisor, sharing renters insurance with a roommate, and why you need to start claiming crypto on your taxes. Why You Should Stop Waiting to Sell Your Home Now maybe a good time to […]

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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 IRA mistakes you may be making. Also in the news: 8 reasons why an RV is your spring break best friend, the Black homeownership gap, and how to keep your expiring travel reward points. 5 IRA Mistakes You May Be Making It’s OK. We all make mistakes. But here’s how to […]

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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The latest trends in home renovations and how to pay for them. Also in the news: 4 tips for starting or restarting a business in tough times, student loan forgiveness scams, and key 2021 financial deadlines to add to your calendar. The latest trends in home renovations—and how to pay for them […]

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Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to get the most home insurance help after a winter storm. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on filing your taxes early and tapping into your home equity, 8 ways to take your credit card rewards to the next level in 2021, and how to […]

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Q&A: Don’t rush to start collecting Social Security

Dear Liz: Having read your advice on Social Security numerous times, I’m having a heck of a time encouraging a friend who reached full retirement age last year to start collecting her benefits. She said her Social Security isn’t enough to live on and she needs to work two more years before collecting. She said […]

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