Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

budgets

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

download (1)Today’s top story: How to put an end to credit card solicitations. Also in the news: How a two checking account system could help automate your budget, how to maximize your pension, and five surprising sources of debt.

How to Stop Credit Card Solicitations for Good
Reclaiming your mailbox.

Use the Two Checking Account System to Automate Your Budget
Why two accounts could make budgeting easier.

Maximize Your Pension With This Calculator
Calculating the best option for your retirement.

5 Surprising Sources of Debt
Racking up debt from unexpected sources.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Scoring a lower credit card interest rate. Also in the news: the one resolution to improve your finances, creating your own financial plan, and why you need a budget, even if you’re broke.

How to Score a Lower Credit Card Interest Rate
Time to negotiate.

The 1 New Year’s Resolution To Improve Your Finances 4 Ways
Getting the most from your resolution.

How to create your own financial plan in 18 easy steps
Emphasis on easy.

Why You Need a Budget, Even If You’re Broke
Controlling your spending even when you don’t have a lot of cash.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

file_161555_0_tax refundToday’s top story: How to keep your tax refund safe. Also in the news: How to achieve financial fitness, building your gift-buying budget, and how to be smart about holiday spending.

The Simple Way to Keep Your Tax Refund Safe
Protecting what’s yours.

5 Money-Saving Exercises to Achieve Financial Fitness
Getting your wallet in shape.

How to Build Your Gift-Buying Budget
Be strategic.

Why the Holidays Make Us Dumb About Spending
How to stay smart.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

best-credit-cards-for-holiday-shopping-2013Today’s top story: Smart ways to use credit cards over the holidays. Also in the news: Personal finance tips people wish they’d know when they were younger, how to survive Black Friday, and steps you should take before the next financial crash.

5 Smart Ways to Use Credit Cards During the Holidays
Protecting your money and your data.

5 Personal Finance Tips Most People Wish They’d Known When They Were Younger
It’s never too late.

Surviving Black Friday: How to set a budget and stick to it
Resisting temptation.

Steps You Must Take Before the Next Financial Crash
Trouble could be on the horizon.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

stack-of-billsToday’s top story: The bills you need to prioritize when you’re short on cash. Also in the news: Divorcing your financial adviser before your spouse, what to do when you get an inheritance, and the potential drawbacks to buying a home with an FHA loan.

Prioritize These 5 Bills When You’re Short on Cash
Creating an order of importance.

Before divorcing your spouse, consider divorcing your financial adviser
You’ll need someone who’s only in your corner.

What to do when you get an inheritance
Besides tapdancing, of course.

The Drawbacks of Buying a Home With an FHA Loan
Knowing the potential downsides.

FTC Shuts Down 12 ‘Rogue’ Debt Collectors
The tactics they used to collect a debt will stun you.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

shutterstock_101159917Today’s top story: How to avoid debt after a divorce. Also in the news: What you need to have in your financial emergency kit, why frugal people aren’t cheap, and how attempting to save money can backfire.

4 Ways to Avoid Debt After Divorce
Building your new financial life.

Your Financial Emergency Kit
What you need to have when things go wrong.

5 Ways Frugal People Aren’t Cheap
Being smart doesn’t mean being cheap.

7 ways your attempts to save money can backfire
Why saving requires a strategy.

This Cheat Sheet Shows You How to Prioritize Your Savings and Debt
Introducing the “retirement wrapper.”