Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Student Loans

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How to save money by refinancing your mortgage. Also in the news: How to spice up your retirement recipe, avoiding the financial pitfalls of divorce, and must-know money tips for new graduates.

Tips to Save Money by Refinancing Your Mortgage
What to consider when deciding to refinance.

6 key ingredients to spice up your retirement recipe
Strategies for investors.

Avoiding The Financial Pitfalls Of Divorce
Navigating through tough times.

5 Must-Know Money Tips for New Grads
Now comes the hard part.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

Student-LoansToday’s top story: Finding the best student loan repayment plan. Also in the news: How student loans affect your taxes, calculating monthly car costs, and tax payment options for when you owe the IRS.

Find the Best Student Loan Repayment Plan for You
It’s going to take a while.

3 ways student loans affect your taxes
Don’t forget to deduct your interest.

Calculate a monthly car cost when buying outright to better weigh your options
A different way of thinking.

Tax payment options for when you owe the IRS
Rule #1: Don’t ignore it.

Is Debt-Free College Really Possible?

By

A reader in her 70s once asked me why kids today don’t do what she did: Work for a year after high school and save up enough to pay for a bachelor’s degree.

If you just busted out laughing, then you’re familiar with how high today’s college costs are compared with five or six decades ago. Even with substantial financial aid and one heck of a work ethic, it’s hard to imagine a high school graduate earning enough in a year to pay for four (or usually five or even six) years of college. The average annual sticker price for a public university is close to $20,000, while private schools average over $40,000.

In my latest for NerdWallet, a debt-free college reality check.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How to save money while repaying Parent PLUS loans. Also in the news: Why your dog needs liability insurance, where you’re paying more in fees than you should be, and how to itemize common tax deductions.

Got Parent PLUS Loans? Save Money With These Alternative Payment Plans
Repayment plans that could save you money.

Why Your Dog Needs Liability Insurance
Fido’s bite could cost you big bucks.

6 Places You’re Paying More In Fees Than You Have To
Fighting back against the nickel-and-diming.

The Right Way to Itemize These Common Tax Deductions
Don’t pay more than necessary.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Pile of Credit CardsToday’s top story: The best credit card tips for March. Also in the news: Two smart paths for student loan borrowers, a 401(k) mistake to avoid, and how to get a tax deduction for supporting your child’s school.

NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for March 2016
Head into spring by maximizing your rewards.

The Road to Being Debt-Free: Two Smart Paths for Student Loan Borrowers
Income-driven repayment plans could make your life much easier.

You could be making this 401(k) mistake
Don’t cheat yourself out of money.

How To Get A Tax Deduction For Supporting Your Child’s School
Those routine school donations can go a long way.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: What adding 100 points to your credit score means for your finances. Also in the news: How to finance your dream home improvement projects, how your boss can help you reduce your student loan repayment timeline, and why you should be treating your income like you do your investments.

What Adding 100 Points to Your Credit Score Could Mean
Is it a game changer?

6 Ways to Finance Your Dream Home Improvement Project
Without turning your home into a money pit.

Here’s how fast you can pay off your student loan with help from your boss
Your repayment timeline could could get shorter.

Are You Diversifying Your Income? You’d Better Start.
Treating your income just like your investments.