Getting Personal
More from Getting Personal
Most Recent
0
Two IRA questions
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
My questions are: 1) Should we set up something for my husband that would be appropriate for us, or should we be adding more of my income to my employee 403(b) match and continue saving that way? 2) What should I do with my 403(b) from a previous employer -- let it continue or roll over?Mary, Spring Lake, MI
0
Weighing the price of a graduate degree
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
It is time for potential graduate students to hear back from schools. I was accepted to two top-rate, out-of-state schools and will likely get into an unranked in-state school. I compared the cost of out-of-state schools to the in-state school; the difference (over the 10-year repayment period) exceeds $55,000! All graduates have to pass a standardized national exam to be licensed, and all graduates in my field are employed. Is the difference in quality and reputation worth the extra debt? Will my starting salary be affected, and how important is that over the course of my career? Jordan, Raleigh, NC
0
What's that website, again?
Monday, February 6, 2012
I thought I heard on your show that there was a website that will give you your credit score for free. I'm sorry but I forgot what the website was. Could you please tell me again? Thank you. Nancy, Tamarack, MN
0
Steps toward a major move
Monday, February 6, 2012
I'm a 58-year-old widow and I have been paying on a 30-year mortgage for 28 years, so I am almost there. I think I owe about $8,000. I am contracted to a job that doesn't offer a pension, but I do have investments (which I think of as retirement money). All three of my daughters moved to Seattle and I want to move there this summer. Right now, I have a little cape cod, which hopefully I can sell for $200,000+. However, my daughters live in the Ballard neighborhood, where a house even a little smaller than mine would cost nearly $400,000. They have condos. I wouldn't mind a townhouse if I get a patch of land to garden. I will be getting a job when I move, but should I just rent at this point? Should I leave the investment money alone? Laura, Ann Arbor, MI
0
To refinance or not to refinance
Friday, February 3, 2012
I have the opportunity to refinance from 5-1/4 percent to 4-1/4 percent. The savings will be $249 a month, which we really need because we probably will need a new car next year. The payback for the closing costs (rolled into the refi) would take 2 years. However, there is a small chance we could be moving due to my job before 2 years. Should I take the lower rate to get the monthly savings or find the money for the car elsewhere? My wife's and my credit scores are high -- about 800. (Yes, Tess, I checked FICO per your constant reminding on the show.) Eric, Ringwood, NJ
0
Getting Personal: To move or not to move
Friday, February 3, 2012
Tess Vigeland and economics editor Chris Farrell discuss the possibility of more transparency on 401(k) fees. Plus, callers ask questions about supporting retired parents and the pros and cons of uprooting a family for a new job.
0
Good education. Good job. Now what?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
After close to a decade in graduate school, a post-doc, 24 job interviews, and almost as many rejections, I am elated to have started my first bone-fide adult job. Which in this day and age is not only a blessing, but a miracle, for which I am truly grateful for. While I have mastered the manipulation of matter at the atomic and molecular level, I am pretty clueless about how to manipulate my finances. My question: what should my financial priorities be? repayment of school loans? saving for retirement? putting money into an emergency fund?... Romas, Berkeley, CA
0
Good habits and a credit score
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
We use a credit card to pay for all monthly expenses and then pay it off at the end of each month. My credit score fluctuates every quarter, depending on when the accounts are checked. My question is how can we convince the credit rating company that we do not carry any credit card debt from one month to the next? My score is currently at 749 but has been as high as 815. Thanks, I really enjoy your program. Randy, Macomb, IL
0
Naming your IRA beneficiary
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
I live in New York State. Can I have my son as the beneficiary for my IRA and Roth IRA account? If yes, what do I need my husband to sign? Thank you. Wendy, Lockport, NY
0
Putting a priority on savings goals
Monday, January 30, 2012
I recently bought a house for the first time. I am in my early 50s and have a son in high school. I don't have life insurance. I have been receiving lots of advertisements in the mail telling me I should have life insurance or mortgage insurance. Should I buy term life insurance to protect my son? It is very hard for me to save money, and I'd rather save what I can for future college bills and my retirement. Thank you, Erika, Salisbury, CT
Most Commented
24
homebuyer tax credit
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Question: My husband and I just bought our first home in South Minneapolis this past fall. Since then, I have heard a lot of talk about the IRS...
16
Nationalizing 401k assets?
Monday, October 27, 2008
Question: Will you be writing of alternatives to 401ks in light of articles intimating the House is interested in the idea of nationalizing 401k...
Trending
0
Two IRA questions
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
My questions are: 1) Should we set up something for my husband that would be appropriate for us, or should we be adding more of my income to my employee 403(b) match and continue saving that way? 2) What should I do with my 403(b) from a previous employer -- let it continue or roll over?Mary, Spring Lake, MI
0
Weighing the price of a graduate degree
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
It is time for potential graduate students to hear back from schools. I was accepted to two top-rate, out-of-state schools and will likely get into an unranked in-state school. I compared the cost of out-of-state schools to the in-state school; the difference (over the 10-year repayment period) exceeds $55,000! All graduates have to pass a standardized national exam to be licensed, and all graduates in my field are employed. Is the difference in quality and reputation worth the extra debt? Will my starting salary be affected, and how important is that over the course of my career? Jordan, Raleigh, NC
Buzzworthy
Recent comments on our stories..
Stealing from the old
Thank you for this story, as it highlights an important issue. As a practicing physician, I have come across examples of this problem with...
gerridoc | Feb 7, 2012 Are we still a land of 'meat and potatoes?'
You ask if anyone is eating more meat and I have to say, yes, I am. Since reading about the Paleo Diet I have increased my meat consumption by...
spayne | Feb 6, 2012 Ladies, you can't have it all
As a woman who grew up in the 60's, this is an issue that women need to hear. We've been brainwashed to think we can have it all (...
Karen in Indiana | Feb 6, 2012 Law schools sued by alumni who can't find work
This is the problem with all for-profit education. Like the banks that make the loans, schools can afford to be indifferent and even engage in...
Greg L | Feb 2, 2012
