This week’s money news

This week’s top story: What the big relators settlement means for home buyers and sellers. In other news: The evolution of retirement and what it might mean for you, next target in Biden vs. junk fees, and dynamic pricing.

What the Big Realtors Settlement Means for Home Buyers and Sellers
The agreement could mean that home buyers would set their own agents’ pay, and sellers might save on commissions.

The Evolution of Retirement — and What It Might Mean for You
From adapting your portfolio to playing more pickleball, here’s how retirement might be shaping up for you.

Next Target in Biden vs. Junk Fees: Colleges, Student Lending
The Biden administration is now tackling fees that fall on college students and student loan borrowers.

Wendy’s Isn’t the First: Dynamic Pricing Is Everywhere
Dynamic pricing uses real-time supply and demand data to fluctuate prices up or down.

Q&A: How capital gains boost Medicare premiums

Dear Liz: We are retired and living mainly on a pension, which covers our month-to-month needs. We own our house outright and are considering downsizing. When we do that, will the capital gain cause our Medicare premiums to go up two years later? If so, will it automatically go down again after one year? Answer: A big-enough […]

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Q&A: Property transfers trigger tax problem

Dear Liz: I’m considering giving property (a condo) to my child through a quitclaim deed while I am still living. If she continues to live in the condo for two years after gaining possession, doesn’t she get a $250,000 capital gains exemption when she sells the property? Answer: Yes, if she owns and lives in the home […]

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Q&A: Can 529 college savings plan fund be used to study abroad?

Dear Liz: Can my daughter use her 529 funds for summer study abroad in Costa Rica? She will be taking two Spanish classes for credit through her university. She has a minor in Spanish. Could she use the 529 for tuition, living expenses and airfare? What if it is all part of a package deal paid to her […]

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Q&A: Update trusts after life changes

Dear Liz: My wife and I have a trust created in California to distribute our assets to our children after our deaths. In 2017, we moved to Texas and had the trust updated by a Texas attorney to reflect some changes and any differences between Texas and California rules. We moved back to California in 2020. […]

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Worried about money? Ways to keep your kids from feeling your stress

When it comes to parents and children, money stress can be contagious. That’s what Amy Weimer, director of the School of Family and Consumer Sciences at Texas State University, found when she and a colleague studied 60 children last year. They were more likely to report feeling worried if their parents were experiencing long-term financial […]

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This week’s money news

This week’s top story: When you want to leave your medicare advantage plan but feel stuck. In other news: How the SVB collapse still ripples through banking, 5 financial mistakes to avoid when you are self-employed, and what small-business owners need to know about NIL sponsorships. When You Want to Leave Your Medicare Advantage Plan — […]

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Q&A: Finding a fiduciary advisor

Dear Liz: I am having difficulty finding a fiduciary, fee-only financial advisor. I have inherited considerable investments from my parents’ trust and now that their house is sold, there will be a payout in excess of $1 million. I believe that my parents’ money manager has done an excellent job of investing and managing their money, […]

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Q&A: How to reduce the tax penalty from an IRA distribution goof

Dear Liz: I have missed three years of required minimum distributions from one of my IRAs although I have not heard from the IRS about this. What do you advise me to do now? Answer: Did you include this account when calculating your required minimum distribution each year? If so, you won’t owe a penalty. You’re supposed […]

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Q&A: Card closure reasons don’t matter

Dear Liz: Does the reason for a credit card closure affect credit scores? I’ve had retailers close a card simply because it hasn’t been used for a period of time, not because I mishandled the account. Answer: Credit score formulas don’t distinguish between accounts closed by the consumer and accounts closed by the issuer. The closed account […]

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