• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

  • About
  • Liz’s Books
  • Speaking
  • Disclosure
  • Contact

fees

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

August 16, 2022 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Why don’t we know if people are getting COVID on airplanes? Also in the news: changes to electronic vehicle tax credits, will interest rates continue to rise, and the stupidest fees you should never pay.

Why Don’t We Know If People Are Getting COVID on Planes?
With all the energy devoted to air travel and COVID safety, you’d think we’d have some hard data. We don’t.

Changes to EV Tax Credits: Where Your Battery Is Made Matters
New changes to the EV tax credit could make it harder to find a model that qualifies.

Ask a Nerd: Will Interest Rates Continue to Rise?
Interest rates seem like they will rise for the foreseeable future, but consumers should make sure to still save.

These Are the Stupidest Fees You Should Never Pay
Life is expensive enough without unnecessary fees—here are the ones you should never pay.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: airplanes, COVID, electronic vehicle tax credits, fees, interest rates

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

February 18, 2021 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Why you may not want to be an executor. Also in the news: 5 ways to foil catalytic converter thieves, 3 money habits to carry forward from the pandemic era, and how to avoid fees when paying your taxes.

Why You May Not Want to Be an Executor
Settling someone’s estate can be time-consuming and difficult, plus you could be sued.

5 Ways to Foil Catalytic Converter Thieves
Catalytic converter thefts have soared during the pandemic.

3 Money Habits to Carry Forward From the Pandemic Era
According to a new survey, 78% of Americans report that the pandemic spurred them to take financial action.

How to Avoid Fees When Paying Your Taxes
Some options are better and cheaper than others.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: catalytic converter thieves, Estate Planning, executor, fees, money habits, pandemic, Taxes

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

August 18, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Is it harder for seniors to get credit cards? Also in the news: Factoring in fees on grocery, delivery, what to do if losing your job means losing your life insurance, and there’s still time to claim your missing $500 stimulus for dependents.

Is It Harder for Seniors to Get Credit Cards?
Even with more time to build history, seniors may have a hard time getting credit.

For grocery delivery, add fees to the list
Convenience comes at a cost.

What to do if losing your job means losing life insurance
Examining your options.

There’s Still Time to Claim Your Missing $500 Stimulus for Dependents
Another opportunity to get your stimulus.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Cards, dependents, fees, grocery delivery, job loss, life insurance, pandemic, Seniors, stimulus

Speedier payment systems could curb your costs

November 5, 2019 By Liz Weston

Here’s an illustration of the many ways slow payment systems can inconvenience you and cost you money.

Let’s say Homer is two days from payday. The family checking account at First Bank of Springfield is on fumes. There’s just enough in the account, Homer thinks, to gas up his Plymouth sedan and buy Bart a Squishee at the Kwik-E-Mart.

But Marge checked the account balance too, and thought she could safely buy groceries. Because Homer and Marge didn’t realize they were spending the same money, one of the transactions triggers an overdraft fee. Plus, they forgot the power bill is due, and utility owner Mr. Burns charges a wicked late fee.

Homer hits up Lenny and Carl for a loan, but Lenny uses Venmo, Carl uses PayPal and Homer uses only Zelle. Lenny writes Homer a check, but it’s from National Bank of Springfield, so First Bank puts a hold on the deposit. Desperate, Marge breaks into Lisa’s piggy bank for money to pay the power bill, but has to pay a fee to “expedite” a same-day bill payment.

The animated “Simpsons” television show might use this scenario to get laughs, but it’s not funny for Americans who pay billions of dollars in overdraft charges and late fees , thanks in part to antiquated payment systems. The most vulnerable people turn to high-cost payday loans to bridge cash flow gaps, and some leave the banking system altogether because of high, unpredictable fees.

In my latest for the Associated Press, how a change at the Federal Reserve could speed up payments dramatically.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: banking, federal reserve, fees, slow payments

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

January 2, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Scrub these expenses from your budget in 2019. Also in the news: 3 simple strategies to max out your 401(k), how your slow cooker saves you money, and unnecessary fees to stop paying in the new year.

Scrub These Expenses From Your Budget in 2019
Hitting reset on your expenses.

3 Simple Strategies to Max Out Your 401(k)
It’s easier than you think.

How Your Slow Cooker Saves You Money
Set it and forget it.

Stop Paying Unnecessary Fees in the New Year
The most common fees and how to avoid them.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 401(k), budget, expenses, fees, slow cooker, tips

Q&A: Mysterious bank charge needs investigating

December 24, 2018 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: The other day I went to my credit union to withdraw $1,000 to pay for my sister’s burial. The bank teller kept $90 and gave me only $910. Is that done when a person withdraws cash from a bank account? I got very angry and complained to the manager of the bank, but to no avail. He did not do anything to try and get my money for me. I am a low-income senior citizen and appreciate any kind of advice you could give me.

Answer: It’s hard to imagine any legitimate bank fee that would take almost 10% of a cash withdrawal. In any case, the manager should have been able to explain why the money was taken. If the teller stole the money from you and the manager simply didn’t believe you, calling the police may have been an option. A count of the teller’s till might have revealed the discrepancy.

Consider returning to the credit union with a friend as a witness and asking the manager to explain why the teller kept $90 from your withdrawal. If the explanation doesn’t satisfy you, you can lodge a complaint with the credit union’s regulator. The National Credit Union Assn. regulates federal credit unions and can be found at NCUA.gov. For a state-chartered credit union, contact your state’s financial services regulator.

Filed Under: Banking, Q&A Tagged With: banking, fees, q&a

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Search

Copyright © 2025 · Ask Liz Weston 2.0 On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in