Get smart with your money
Today’s top story: How couples can talk about money without a blowup. Also in the news: Amazon Prime Day, tax mistakes to avoid, and how to make good financial decisions.
How Couples Can Talk Money Without a Blowup
Remembering what’s important.
Prime Day Kicks Off With Low Prices on Amazon Kindle, Echo and More
Bargain hunting.
11 Big Tax Mistakes to Avoid
Proceed with caution.
How to Make Good Financial Decisions
Thinking before you spend.
Dear Liz: I’m a female who has been with her male partner for 20 years. We are not married. In the event one of us dies, is the other entitled to the partner’s Social Security benefits? Or do we have to be legally married to qualify for benefits?
Answer: Your genders don’t matter. Your marital status does. To get Social Security benefits based on the other person’s work record, you need to make it legal.
Marriage offers hundreds of legal, financial and estate-planning advantages, and Social Security is certainly one of those. With married couples, lower-earning partners may qualify for bigger benefit spousal benefits than the retirement benefits they would receive on their own work records. After a death, the surviving spouse gets the larger of the couple’s two benefits. Social Security makes up more than half of most elderly people’s income, so this is no small deal.
Today’s top story: Why debt-to-income ratio matter when buying a house. Also in the news: Crucial insurance changed to make after divorce, how to manage your finances when you’re separated, and a bill in congress that would remove credit report strikes after four years.
Debt-to-Income Ratio Matters When You’re Buying a House
How to improve your DTI.
5 Crucial Insurance Changes After Divorce
Things to address immediately.
Managing Your Finances When You’re Separated
You may be apart, but your money is still together.
This Bill in Congress Would Remove Credit Report Strikes After Four Years
Significant changes could be ahead.
Today’s top story: Why getting pre-approved for a mortgage is important if you live in these cities. Also in the news: How couples can master the financial balancing act, overcoming income shocks, and how 529 plans can now be used for college supplies.
Get Preapproved for a Mortgage — Especially if You Live in These Cities
Where real estate inventory is moving fast.
How Couples Can Master the Financial Balancing Act
Creating an equitable balance,
How to Overcome ‘Income Shocks’ that Wreck Retirement Security
Coping with unexpected surprises.
Now 529 plans can be used for college supplies
Getting your freshman the computer she needs.
Today’s top story: Debunking emergency fund myths. Also in the news: How filing separately could give some couples a lower tax bill, the financial benefits of living with less, and how much down payment you should have to buy a home.
Debunking 5 Emergency Fund Myths
Separating fact from financial fiction.
Filing Separately Could Give Some Couples a Lower Tax Bill
Splitting up your tax returns could save you money.
The Financial Benefits of Living With Less
Downsizing your way out of debt.
How Much Down Payment Do You Need to Buy a Home?
How much do you really need?
Today’s top story: Should you pay for credit repair? Also in the news: Tips on raising financially savvy kids, credit scores and dating, and why it might make sense to pay down debt slowly.
Should You Pay for Credit Repair?
The pros and cons.
11 Tips to Raise Financially Savvy Kids
Starting them off right.
Nearly 40% of Americans want to know your credit score before dating
Should credit worthiness determine date worthiness?
Why It Might Make Sense to Pay Down Debt Slowly
Slow and steady might win the race.