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This Is How I Feel About Groupon and Similar Coupon-Like Plans Nov. 09, 2023
My virtual mailbag is turning up questions and situations that I doubt are exclusive to only the wri... Read More
Why Privatizing Social Security Can't Work Sep. 07, 2022
About a month or so ago, I wrote a column in which I just briefly mentioned that any plans to privat... Read More
Readers Need to Know: Pay Down Debt or Invest? and Help! Horrible Odor in Leather Couch Oct. 14, 2021
I love it when readers send me their questions. Today I pulled the following letters from the EC mai... Read More
Is It Time to Declutter Your Finances? Jul. 21, 2021
Dear Carrie: I am trying to simplify my finances and have way too many accounts (savings, checking, ... Read More
How Much Should You Be Saving? Jun. 02, 2021
Dear Carrie: I am turning 30 and know that I need to get serious about saving. How much should I be ... Read More
Use Your Tax Refund to Make Your Life Better Apr. 22, 2021
Discovering that you'll be getting a tax refund is certainly not the worst news you've had in your l... Read More
How Does the SECURE Act Impact Saving After Age 70? Jul. 22, 2020
Dear Carrie: I turn 70 this year and am working part time. I don't necessarily need the income, but ... Read More
Short on Cash? Carefully Consider Your Options Apr. 08, 2020
Dear Carrie: I find myself in the unfortunate position of needing some cash in the midst of this hor... Read More
Tax Law Changes for 2020 Jan. 07, 2020
Each year brings new changes to our Byzantine tax system, and 2020 is no different, with recent fede... Read More
Five Steps Women Can Take Toward Financial Empowerment Nov. 13, 2019
Dear Carrie: Despite our many advances, it seems like women still fall behind men when it comes to m... Read More
Can You Use IRA Assets to Purchase a Retirement Home? Should You? Oct. 30, 2019
Dear Carrie: My wife and I are both over 63 and want to purchase a primary residence for our retirem... Read More
Do You Have to Pay Income Taxes on Social Security Benefits? Sep. 25, 2019
Dear Carrie: From what I've read, if a married couple has annual withdrawals from 401(k) plans, indi... Read More
Where's the Best Place for Extra Savings -- a Roth 401(k) or Roth IRA? Sep. 18, 2019
Dear Carrie: I'm 22 and recently started my first real job. I've had a Roth individual retirement ac... Read More
Privatizing Social Security Jul. 31, 2019
Q: I am doing a school report on plans to privatize Social Security. What can you tell me about this... Read More
Can You Roll Over a Roth 401(k) to a Roth IRA? May. 01, 2019
Please note: This article may contain outdated information about RMDs and retirement accounts due to... Read More
Getting a Tax Refund? Here Are Five Smart Ways to Use It Apr. 24, 2019
Dear Readers: The new tax law has caused a lot of confusion about tax refunds. On the one hand, earl... Read More
Tax Plan Is a Cut for Everyone Dec. 05, 2017
Whenever I'm asked if the Trump tax cut is for the rich, I say yes. It is a tax cut for the rich. It... Read More
Why Trump Won't Privatize Social Security Nov. 16, 2016
In the past week or so, I've heard from dozens of fearful readers asking about Donald Trump's plans ... Read More
Bonds, Corporate Bonds Nov. 04, 2015
Dear Mr. Berko: I'm 57 and have $129,000 in cash in my IRA. My broker suggested that I invest in fiv... Read More
Extra Income Sep. 30, 2015
Dear Mr. Berko: My husband and I are in our 70s, and we both retired several years ago from the real... Read More
