Q: What rate of return should a 20- or 30-something use when using a retirement planning calculator? (They are often preset to 6 or 8 percent). And does that include inflation? Depending on the assumptions I use, I get drastically different answers. … [Read more...]
Q&A: Should I Invest Money I Need in Two Years?
January 24, 2013 by
Q: I just started my first full-time job (this Monday!) and found your blog doing a search trying to make sense of my 401(k) options. I have been so inspired reading all over your blog since then and learning more about investing and saving for … [Read more...]
Q&A: I Want to Travel Before Starting a Career, But What About my Student Loans?
January 17, 2013 by
Q: I am about to start paying off my $30,000 of student loan debt and am wondering how to approach this. Should I go with the most aggressive [repayment plan] or not? I am a waitress, so I never know what my income is going to be. I do have about … [Read more...]
Q&A: How Do I Build Credit Fast?
January 10, 2013 by
Q: I’m trying to get my credit score growing again. I’m in school full-time and work full-time, too. I have just one credit card – a Wells Fargo student card -- that greatly helped my credit score when I first got it. However, in the last four … [Read more...]
Q&A: Is it OK to tap my 401(k) to pay off Credit Card Debt?
November 12, 2012 by
When I wrote "The Recession Diaries" column at the Chicago Tribune and later for AOL.com, I loved responding to mail because questions raised by one reader often reflect the dilemmas of many. With my recent post for Money Under 30 (where I related my … [Read more...]
Q&A: Should I Buy A Second ‘Commuter’ Car With Better MPG For My Long Daily Drive?
August 21, 2012 by
Q: I just bought a brand-new pickup truck last year when my commute was only about three miles. I chose the truck because I've always preferred to drive a truck, but also to tow some toys and do dump runs. I'd really like to [keep] the truck, but now … [Read more...]
Q&A: Should I Consolidate My Student Loans?
August 1, 2012 by
Q: I'm a 22-year-old college student about to graduate with an insane amount of debt. My loans come from multiple lenders and I was wondering: Would it be smart -- or at least possible -- to take out a consolidation student loan from a bank or credit … [Read more...]
