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Channel: Loans Archives - Ask Liz Weston

Would a bank payday loan be any safer?

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A “safer” payday loan sounds like an oxymoron. Critics have branded these notoriously high-cost loans as debt traps that cause borrowers to go ever deeper in the hole.

Thanks to a recent regulatory change, it now may be possible for banks to offer small, short-term loans that could be a lot less dangerous for borrowers. Whether banks will actually do so remains to be seen.

The right moves could save low- and moderate-income Americans billions of dollars a year. The wrong moves could create yet another sinkhole for those who are already struggling. In my latest for the Associated Press, how to avoid falling into the payday loan trap.

The post Would a bank payday loan be any safer? appeared first on Ask Liz Weston.


Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How grads can get another shot at student loan forgiveness. Also in the news: Spring cleaning your credit cards, how to sidestep 3 unethical financial advisor tactics, and how to handle loaning money to your parents.

How Grads Can Get Another Shot at Student Loan Forgiveness
This could be your last chance.

This Spring, Clear Mediocre Credit Cards Out of Your Wallet
Get rid of the credit clutter.

How to Sidestep 3 Unethical Financial Advisor Tactics
Protect yourself.

How to Handle Loaning Money to Your Parents
Role reversal.

The post Tuesday’s need-to-know money news appeared first on Ask Liz Weston.

Managing Debt in Retirement Takes Some Planning

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Owing money in retirement isn’t ideal — but most people do.

Seventy percent of U.S. households headed by people ages 65 to 74 had at least some debt in 2016, according to the Federal Reserve’s latest Survey of Consumer Finances. So did half of those 75 and older.

Paying debt usually gets more difficult on a fixed income. Mortgage debt, especially, can be a huge burden in retirement. Retirees may have to withdraw larger amounts from their retirement funds to cover payments on debt, which can trigger higher tax bills and increase the chances they’ll run short of money.

People have the most options to deal with debt if they create a plan before they retire, financial planners say. Refinancing a mortgage, for example, is usually less of a hassle while people are still employed. It’s also typically easier to generate the extra income that may be needed to pay off debt.

“It is much easier to keep working for another year or two than to try and come back into the workforce when they are older and the employer needs have changed,” says Linda Farinola, a certified financial planner in Princeton, N.J.

In my latest for the Associated Press, three loans to consider before you stop working.

The post Managing Debt in Retirement Takes Some Planning appeared first on Ask Liz Weston.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Using your employer as a payday lender. Also in the news: One woman’s debt diary, how to get online coupons, and 10 things not to do if you win a billion dollars.

Short on Cash? Use Your Employer as a ‘Payday Lender’
A much lower interest rate.

Debt Diary: Feeling ‘Stretched Thin’ on Over $85,000
Curbing expenses.

Sign Up and Save: How to Get an Online Coupon
Never pay full price online.

10 things NOT to do if you win a billion dollars
Advice for South Carolina’s newest billionaire.

The post Wednesday’s need-to-know money news appeared first on Ask Liz Weston.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 3 things that will change when you’re a homeowner. Also in the news: 3 times you can pay taxes with plastic and come out ahead, eight ways you can save money right now, and what happens if you default on a loan.

3 Things That Change When You’re a Homeowner
All you’ll think about is money.

3 Times You Can Pay Taxes With Plastic and Come Out Ahead
Build up your rewards.

Eight Ways You Can Save Money Right Now
Automate your savings.

What Happens if You Default on a Loan?
Don’t take it lightly.

The post Friday’s need-to-know money news appeared first on Ask Liz Weston.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to give money advice that sticks. Also in the news: 3 steps to spring clean your credit card debt, how to research 401(k) funds on Morningstar, and using a loan to pay your tax bill.

How to Give Money Advice That Sticks
Focus on what you say and how you say it.

3 Steps to Spring-Clean Your Credit Card Debt
Scrub that debt away.

How to Research 401(k) Funds on Morningstar
Navigating the investment research company.

Should You Use a Loan to Pay Your Tax Bill?
Check the interest first.

The post Friday’s need-to-know money news appeared first on Ask Liz Weston.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Is your wealth dripping away? Also in the news: How to navigate the Equifax data breach settlement, getting real about checking your finances, and looking for “relationship pricing” when you need a loan.

Is Your Wealth Dripping Away?
Draining your wallet, one drop at a time.

How to Navigate the Equifax Data Breach Settlement Offer
Find out what you’re entitled to.

Can’t Bear to Check Your Finances? Here’s Help
Biting the bullet.

Look for ‘Relationship Pricing’ When You Need a Loan
The benefits of monogamous banking.

The post Thursday’s need-to-know money news appeared first on Ask Liz Weston.

Q&A: How to keep a loan to family from turning into a problem

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Dear Liz: My husband and I have saved close to $2 million. He is 58, and I am 59. Our son is a hardworking, bright young man awaiting responses to medical school applications. My husband wants to loan him $200,000 to $500,000 to reduce his debt from interest on loans. I want to help too, but I think $200,000 should be the limit.

I want a legal contract to determine when it will be paid back, how much interest we will charge, and so on. My concern is that we are unsure how to set this up and I don’t want a nice gesture to end up causing problems with our son down the road. My husband is still working and has a nominal pension from military retirement.

Answer: The first rule of friends-and-family loans is to offer only what you can afford to lose. Even with all the proper documents, many loans turn into inadvertent gifts when the borrower can’t or won’t make the payments.

So your first stop should be a fee-only financial planner, who can review your entire financial situation, including your retirement plans, and let you know how much you can afford to lend your son.

The exact amount will depend on when your husband plans to stop working, how much you anticipate spending and how much you expect to receive from the pension and from Social Security, among other issues.

The planner also can tell you what interest rate you’ll need to charge to avoid having to file gift tax returns with the IRS.

Once you have that information, you and your husband can work together to determine the size of the loan and the interest rate. You can find promissory note templates online, or you can hire an attorney to draft the actual agreement.

The post Q&A: How to keep a loan to family from turning into a problem appeared first on Ask Liz Weston.


Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: COVID-19 loan options and payment relief. Also in the news: Why you shouldn’t give your adult kids your house, managing the high cost of infertility, and when you’ll get your Coronavirus relief check.

COVID-19: Loan Options and Payment Relief
Lenders respond to the pandemic.

Don’t Give Your Adult Kids Your House
Good intentions could cause big problems.

Managing the High Cost of Infertility
Evaluating your options.

Here’s When You’ll Get Your Coronavirus Relief Check
A look at the schedule.

The post Friday’s need-to-know money news appeared first on Ask Liz Weston.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: This year’s summer travel FOMO is real. Also in the news: Is it better to book Airbnbs in advance or last minute, the cheapest road trip in America, and the basic loan terms everyone needs to know before borrowing money.

This Year’s Summer Travel FOMO Is Real
It can be challenging to balance your financial goals with the fear of missing out on exciting summer travel.

Is it Better to Book Airbnbs in Advance or Last Minute?
Neither last minute nor way out, booking about a month in advance is likely to get you the best deal.

This May Be the Cheapest Road Trip in America
Gas price variance makes some U.S. regions more affordable for traveling the country’s highways.

The Basic Loan Terms Everyone Needs to Know Before Borrowing Money
Need to borrow money? Here are the basics for first-time borrowers.

The post Wednesday’s need-to-know money news appeared first on Ask Liz Weston.





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