Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

mortgages

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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creditWhich debts you should settle before applying for a mortgage, what to glean from your free credit report, and why crowdfunding is no longer just for opening a new coffee shop.

The Right Way to Pay Off Debt to Get a Mortgage
Which debts you should pay off before trying to get a mortgage.

The Ten Commandments of Personal Finance
Ways to avoid financial confession.

4 things you don’t know about 529 plans
What you should know before withdrawing funds from the popular college savings program.

5 lessons from free credit score notices
Things to keep in mind while reviewing your free credit reports.

Crowdfunding for Student Loan Debt?
Could the Kickstarter method be used to paid down student loans?

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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College studentSaving on back-to-school purchases, a new way to pay for holiday expenses, and how being bad tenant can cause an array of problems.

Financial caution pays off in stocking up for school
Don’t let the back-to-school rush drain your bank account.

Your Ticket to Extra Cash for the Holidays
The holidays (and their expenses) are right around the corner.

Are you a lousy tenant? 7 ways it can cost you
Being late with your rent can cost you in more ways than one.

4 Tips to Help 30-Somethings Make Ends Meet
How to survive the present while planning for the future.

Refinancing Your Mortgage? When to Lock In
Fluctuating mortgage rates make a strategy plan a necessity.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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NannyHow your weekend Netflix binges could help you get a mortgage, the dangers lurking inside “flipped” homes, and what to expect when Mom or Dad rejoin the workforce.

Can Your Netflix Account Help You Get a Mortgage?
Orange is the New Mortgage.

4 Family Money Lessons From Top Companies
Financial education for the entire family.

Why Your Boss is Dumping Your Wife
It’s not why you’re thinking.

Buying a “flipped home”? Be careful.
Why it’s important to look beyond cosmetic repairs.

What stay-at-home parents need to know before rejoining the work force.
Preparing for the transition back to the work.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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HomeInheriting Grandma’s frequent-flier miles, how to pay less for homeowner’s insurance, and what you need to know about rising interest rates.

How Student Loans Can Hurt Your Mortgage Application
Those pesky student loans can reduce your ability to borrow money.

Can You Inherit or Transfer Your Frequent-Flier Miles?
What happens to Grandma’s miles after she takes her final flight?

How to Reduce Your Home Insurance Costs
Home insurance doesn’t have to break the bank.

The Best Children’s Books for Money Lessons
It’s never too early to start teaching kids how to manage their money.

5 Things to Know About Rising Interest Rates
How to navigate the new lending environment.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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My first carHow to speed up your mortgage closing, saving more money with a maxed out 401(K), and preparing for your teenager’s time behind the wheel.

Four Steps to a Speedier Mortgage Closing
Speeding up the last, agonizing step before home ownership.
How Rising Interest Rates Affect Retirement
Rising interest rates could leave you altering your retirement plans.
Maxed Out on Your 401(K)? How to Save More
Maxing out your 401(K) doesn’t mean you should stop saving.
The Impact of Adding a Teenager to Your Auto Policy
Prepare to open your wallet when Junior’s ready to get behind the wheel.

How to Budget as a Live-In Couple
Creating a budget can make a stressful time much easier.

Our #CreditChat is about to begin!

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liz-westonIn a few minutes I’ll be answering your questions about how to deal with your debt on Experian’s #CreditChat, which starts at 3 p.m. Eastern/noon Pacific today. Topics include how to balance savings and paying off debt, which debts to tackle first, how to handle student loans and what to do if you’re drowning in debt. Easy ways to follow the conversation include Twubs or tchat.

Please join us!