latestApril 28, 2020

Advice for Difficult Financial Times

NOTE TO EDITORS: This is the final release of “Life and Money.” If you have any questions, please contact salesdirector@amuniversal.com. Thank you for supporting this feature.... more

April 21, 2020

What To Do With Your Stimulus Check

Hi, Helaine: The government deposited the $1,200 check we are getting to help us get through the coronavirus lockdowns and shutdowns in my checking account. No problem. My question is about what I sho... more

April 07, 2020

Landlord Concerns in Pandemic Times

Hi, Helaine: I own a home that’s divided into four apartments. I live in one and rent out the other three units. I like some tenants more than others but never experienced a difficult problem until no... more

March 31, 2020

Job Opportunity in Spain Is Tempting, but Dangerous

Hi, Helaine: My partner and I are both in our mid-40s. He earns about half what I do. Almost all our monthly income goes toward paying down our debt: There's the mortgage, two newer cars, a $40,000 40... more

March 24, 2020

Delayed Tax Deadline Raises Questions

Hi, Helaine: I see the government is allowing people to postpone paying their 2019 taxes till July of this year because of the coronavirus epidemic. I owe several thousand dollars. My taxes are prepar... more

March 17, 2020

Exhausted Caregiver Needs Advice

Hi, Helaine: I’ve been living with my elderly parent for two years. It wasn’t intentional. It’s a voluntary choice that became an entrapment. My sister wanted my dad to move into assisted living. It w... more

March 10, 2020

Doctor's Treatment of Medicare Patient Is Eye-Opening

Hi, Helaine: I just read your article on medical expense etiquette. What do you suggest if you tell your doctor, following an exam covered by Medicare, that you can get new glasses for much less elsew... more

March 03, 2020

Medical Expense Etiquette

Hi, Helaine: My ophthalmologist sells contact lenses. Glasses, too. I used to buy my prescription lenses from his office, but about two years ago, I noticed they were significantly less money at an on... more

February 25, 2020

Too Much Life Insurance Can Be Too Much of a Good Thing

Hi, Helaine: My daughter and son-in-law gave me my first (adorable) grandchild last year. My son-in-law has tons of life insurance, but my daughter has none. He's in the military, so life insurance se... more

February 18, 2020

Credit Score Impacts Car Insurance Rates

Dear Helaine: Recently, I looked around for car insurance and was told my "insurance score" is "average." I couldn't believe it, but I was told it had to do with my credit rating. I have no negative i... more

February 11, 2020

CD or Savings Under Specific Circumstances

Hi, Helaine: I have a question. I put $15,000 in a CD last August for a year. The interest rate is 2.2 percent. I got a postcard in the mail from a bank the other day. It’s offering $600 to open a new... more

February 04, 2020

Few Investment Managers Can Beat Index Funds

Hi, Helaine: I'm 59 years old and plan to retire from a federal government job at the end of the year. I've spoken with a couple of different financial advisers, and it seemed like they were intereste... more

January 21, 2020

Planning for the Future Should Be Part of Refinancing Decision

Hi, Helaine: The hubs and I are preparing to refinance our home. In 2005, he was in a near-fatal crash that decimated our finances down to foreclosure and bankruptcy. By 2014, I had our credit score b... more

January 14, 2020

Where to Invest a Large Sum Later in Life

Dear Helaine: I need some financial advice. I am 60 years old and, after working for a U.S. embassy as local staff, I migrated to the United States in 2014. Upon separating from the embassy, I receive... more

January 07, 2020

Trouble Looms for Siblings Expecting to Inherit $1 Million

Dear Helaine: My dad is in his late 80s and plans to leave an estate worth about $1 million. There are four adult children, including me. We all have different mothers.... more

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