Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

auto insurance

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

By

payday-loansToday’s top story: Financial aid tips for procrastinators. Also in the news: Auto insurance in the driverless car era, payday alternative loans, and six ways your teen driver will affect your wallet.

4 Financial Aid Tips for College Procrastinators
Don’t waste any more time.

If You Hate Auto Insurance, You’ll Love Driverless Cars
A change in who’s to blame for accidents.

What Is a Payday Alternative Loan?
Avoiding the traditional payday loan trap.

6 Ways Your Teen Driver Will Affect Your Wallet
It’s more expensive than you’d think.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Student-LoansToday’s top story: Avoiding a costly student loan mistake. Also in the news: How a marijuana DUI could raise your insurance rates, why the new “good” payday loans are still awful, and how to resell a canceled event or trip.

Don’t Make This Student Loan Mistake
It could be quite costly.

A Few Hundred Good Reasons to Avoid a Marijuana DUI
You could see a big insurance hike.

‘Good’ Payday Loans Still Very, Very Expensive
Don’t fall the “kinder and gentler” approach.

How to Resell a Canceled Event or Trip
Your money may not be a lost cause.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

money-saving-militaryToday’s top story: Controlling your finances by ignoring short-term frenzies. Also in the news: A new definition of affordable auto insurance, how military members can save money while moving, and how to estimate the value of your travel rewards.

Control Your Finances by Ignoring the Short-Term Frenzy
Resist being reactionary.

What’s ‘Affordable’ Auto Insurance? Now There’s an Answer
Defining the parameters.

7 Ways Military Members Can Save Money When Moving
Making the costs more bearable.

A Rule of Thumb to Estimate the Value of Your Travel Rewards Miles
What are your miles worth?

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

bankruptcyToday’s top story: Dispelling bankruptcy myths. Also in the news: The dangers of credit card checks, the fine print of your car and home insurance, and why many Americans still struggle with credit.

5 Bankruptcy Myths Dispelled
Bankruptcy mythbusting.

Don’t Cash That Credit Card Check Until You Read This
Proceed with caution.

Is it covered? Check your car/home insurance IQ
Examining the fine print.

Many Americans Continue To Struggle With Credit
Access remains a problem.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Wills-in-TexasToday’s top story: Ranking the cheapest cars to insure. Also in the news: Why you need to have a will, the financial perks of downsizing, and how much money you need to save monthly to reach your retirement goal.

Ranking the Cheapest Cars to Insure
Being a smart shopper.

Prince Had No Will, Reports Say — But You Should
Don’t let the government inherit your estate.

The Financial Perks of Downsizing
Going small can mean a bigger bank balance.

This Retirement Calculator Tells You How Much to Save Monthly to Reach Your Goal
How close are you?

Wonder Why You’re Broke? Look in the Driveway

By

Rockhead126's_1951_Mercury_CustomIf you’re struggling to make ends meet, your problem may not be too many lattes or dinners out. It may be sitting in your driveway.

Your monthly car payment is the tip of the iceberg.

Counting gas, registration and taxes, depreciation, tires, insurance and finance charges, Americans spend $8,700 a year on average — $725 a month — for the privilege of owning a typical midsize sedan, according to AAA, and more than $10,600 a year for an SUV. If you’re struggling with bad credit, the increased cost of financing and insurance will push those numbers even higher.

In my latest for NerdWallet, how to determine if you have too much car in your driveway.