Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Savings

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: What to do when you’ve reached your savings goal. Also in the news: What to do when you’re upside down on a car loan, Social Security surprises that may leave money on the table, and what to do if you need $100 fast.

Reached Your Savings Goals? Here’s What to Do Next
Don’t stop now.

What to Do When You’re Upside-Down on a Car Loan
How to get right side up.

3 Social Security surprises that may leave money on the table
Make sure you get what you’re owed.

What to Do When You Need $100, Fast
Almost half of Americans would struggle to cover a $100 emergency.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Making a habit of checking your financial health. Also in the news: Online business ideas for couch potatoes, how one couple paid off $20K of debt in 18 months, and how Trump’s tax plan may affect your 401(k).

Start a New Habit: Check Your Financial Health
Almost as important as your physical health.

3 Online Business Ideas for Couch Potatoes
Make money from your recliner.

How I Ditched Debt: Active Budgeting Pays Off
How one couple paid off $20,000 in 18 months.

How Trump’s tax plan may affect your 401(k)
Digging into the details.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Trump’s Tax Plan: Big Changes, Big Unknowns. Also in the news: Savings lessons from retirees for millennials, how to teach your kids about money when you’re a financial disaster, and why 40% of Americans spend up to half of their income servicing debt.

Trump’s Tax Plan: Big Changes, Big Unknowns
What we know so far.

Millennials, Take This Savings Lesson From Retirees
Retiree wisdom.

How to Teach Your Kids About Money When You Are a Financial Disaster Yourself
Learning from your mistakes.

40% of Americans spend up to half of their income servicing debt
Discretionary spending is a big part of the problem.

Allowances Don’t Teach Kids About Money – You Do

By

Many parents tell me they feel guilty about allowances.

They aren’t consistent about when and how they give their kids money. They wonder if allowances should be tied to chores. Even how they dole out money can be a problem. Cash is easiest, but much of what kids want to buy — downloads of a favorite show, a toy on Amazon, a realm in Minecraft — requires plastic.

I’ve used our daughter as a guinea pig to test all kinds of allowance systems and apps , starting when she was just 3.

In my latest for the Associated Press, how to start teaching your kids about money at an early age.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How to save like a superhero. Also in the news: The best way to pay for your next flight, the big mistake one-third of credit card holders are making, and warnings about Amazon third-party accounts.

Save Like a Superhero: Roth IRAs and 529 Plans
Superpowered savings.

Cash or Points? The Best Way to Pay for Your Next Flight
NerdWallet’s 2017 Travel Card Study

The big mistake one-third of credit card holders are making
Stop wasting your rewards.

Beware Hacked Amazon Third-Party Accounts
Watch where you shop.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How credit use affects credit scores. Also in the news: Starting a business if you have student debt, how one couple crushed their debt, and how budgeting doesn’t have to suck if you make it a habit.

Virtual People, Real Lessons: How Card Use Affects Credit Score
Meet Cora Condo and Rebuilding Robert.

Ask Brianna: Can I Start a Business if I Have Student Debt?
Can you be your own boss?

This Couple Crushed Their Debt
How you can do it, too.

Budgeting Doesn’t Have to Suck If You Think of It As a Habit Rather Than a Task
Getting into a groove.