Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

tips

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How to boost your chances of getting another credit card. Also in the news: 6 great recession rules that still apply, using your 529 plan to pay your student loans, and how to save money on Medicare open enrollment.

Here’s what you need to do to boost your chances of getting another credit card
Ways to access more credit.

6 great recession rules that still apply
Valuable lessons.

You Can Use Your 529 Plan to Pay Your Student Loans
Paying down your balance.

Medicare open enrollment is coming up. Three steps to save money this fall
Making smart choices.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Money moves to help you feel more in control. Also in the news: How to renegotiate your bills to save money, ways for renters to cope in the financial crisis, and how to protect yourself before your federal student loan servicer changes.

Feeling Out of Control? These Money Moves Could Help
Regain control by revising spending, boosting savings and focusing on daily actions instead of long-term outcomes.

How to Renegotiate Your Bills to Save Money

Renters at Risk: Ways to Cope in the Financial Crisis

Protect Yourself Before Your Federal Student Loan Servicer Changes

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: What a payroll tax deferral may mean for your paycheck and taxes. Also in the news: 4 ways to end your car lease early, what to do if losing your job means losing life insurance, and don’t skip these estate planning moves during the pandemic.

What a Payroll Tax Deferral May Mean for Your Paycheck and Taxes
Things to keep in mind.

4 Ways to End Your Car Lease Early
You can transfer your lease, sell to a dealer or take out a loan to buy the car and then sell it yourself.

What to do if losing your job means losing life insurance
Consider your needs.

Don’t Skip These Estate Planning Moves During Coronavirus
Important moves to consider right now.

Feel out of control? These money moves can help

By

Behavioral economist Dan Ariely and his colleagues at Duke University’s Center for Advanced Hindsight have a pact. Every week, the group of 50 people picks one small business in Durham, North Carolina, and each person spends $100 there.

A one-time $5,000 infusion wouldn’t make a difference to Amazon, Costco or any other large retailer, but it could be enough to keep a local business afloat, Ariely says. Taking this action helps the group feel that they’re making a difference when so much of the world seems out of control.

“This is, to a large degree, a crisis of Main Street,” says Ariely, the bestselling author of books including “Predictably Irrational.” “We’re taking a retailer and we’re saying, ‘We’re giving you a little bit of breathing room.’”

In my latest for the Associated Press, how to wrest back control from the unpredictability of the pandemic.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Can you have too much credit? Also in the news: How to safely move during a pandemic, what personal finance apps should be doing to better serve older people, and how to avoid paying a penalty if you missed the tax filing deadline.

Can You Have Too Much Credit?
Credit scoring formulas don’t punish people for having too many credit accounts, but too much debt can hurt scores.

How to Move Safely During a Pandemic
Keeping yourself and your stuff safe.

This is what personal finance apps should be doing to better serve older people
What a survey revealed about the apps.

How to Avoid Paying a Penalty If You Missed the Tax Filing Deadline
You could qualify for a first-time penalty abatement.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How to increase your chances of credit card approval. Also in the news: How to transition from work-at-home novice to pro, why the weak dollar is good for your investments, and why champagne sales have gone flat.

How to Increase Your Chances of Credit Card Approval
Boost your odds by focusing on your credit scores.

Transition From Work-at-Home Novice to Pro
A check-in can help you get productivity, health and balance dialed in for the long run.

Why the Weak Dollar Is Good for Your Investments
The pandemic and low interest rates have weakened the dollar.

Champagne sales flattened by social distancing amid global pandemic
Not much to celebrate.