Budgeting & Saving

I want to start saving some money each month, but don't know where to start. What do you suggest?

Do you have any suggestions on how to save money?

Is it true that people have different spending styles?

Does saving a little "here and there" really make a difference?

How can I developing a simple plan for my finances?

What are some quick budgeting tips?

How can I keep track of family finances?

I have had a drop in my income and cannot pay all of my bills. I have tried developing a plan to pay back my creditors, but I'm having difficulty. Is there anyone who can help me?

I have had a drop in my income. What can I do to cut back on my expenses?

I want to start saving some money each month, but don't know where to start. What do you suggest?

Do you think an emergency fund is important? How much should I have in it?

Credit

What happens to credit card debt upon someone’s death? Is credit card debt passed on to heirs when a loved one dies?

I put all of my holiday expenses on my credit cards, and now I owe a lot of money. What can I do to avoid this next year?

I received an application in the mail for a credit card which said I was "Preapproved." However, when I sent in the application, I was rejected. How could that be?

I was recently approved for a credit card, but the annual percentage rate they quoted me was higher than the rate that was advertised on the application. What happened?

I received some convenience checks to use from my credit card company. Should I use them?

I was late on my credit card payment and the interest rate increased. How can this be?

How much debt is too much?

Is it a big deal to miss a credit card payment or two?

I have so much credit card debt. What can I do?

I have noticed that more credit cards now have various fees and penalties. Why?

I recently applied for a car loan and was asked about my credit capacity. How do you determine your credit capacity?

I am facing mounting debt from my Christmas shopping and I am not able to pay all the bills by their due date. How can I handle this situation without it affecting my credit history or at least minimize the effect?

How can I tell if I'm having credit problems?

How many credit cards should I have?

Is it important to pay more than the minimum amount due on my credit card balance?

Do the number of credit cards I have affect my credit rating or my ability to get a loan?

I have had a drop in my income and cannot pay all of my bills. I don't want to ruin my credit report. What can I do?

Family Finances

My parents are getting older. What questions should I be asking them about their financial affairs/estate?

I will be getting married soon and my future spouse and I have different views on money. What can we do to help us have "money harmony"?

What are some basic tips that I could use to teach my kids good money management?

What do I do when my children ask me about how much income we earn?

I want to give my child an allowance but I'm not sure how much is appropriate. Any suggestions?

I started giving my children an allowance but want to make sure they don't waste it. What should I do?

Financial Information & Tips

Can you give some pointers for me to check up how I am doing financially?

I have children in college and need some financial tips. Any suggestions?

What should I do with my tax refund?

I am always concerned about my financial situation. What can I do to stop being so nervous about it?

What can I do to make my financial life more organized?

I want this year to be financially better for me than last year. What can I do?

Is there a way to make bill paying easier?

How do I choose a financial institution? There are so many options to choose from!

What are some important documents that I should make sure I have?

What are some financial resolutions I can make for myself?

I have had a drop in my income and cannot pay all of my bills. How do I prioritize which ones I pay first?

I have just had a large drop in my income. What can I do?

Housing

What is a reverse mortgage?

What types of housing are available?

How much house can I afford?

Can you explain how I can tap into my home’s equity?

Insurance

Does Medicare provide mental health benefits?

What are MC+ health care programs for families?

What is credit life insurance?

What is Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI?

How can I compare insurance policies with different terms and amounts of coverage?

What is credit life insurance?

How can I lower the cost of my auto insurance?

I think my insurance company treated me unfairly. What can I do?

I can't get an auto insurance company to insure me. What can I do?

By law, what kind of auto insurance am I required to buy?

What is the difference between replacement cost and cash value homeowners property insurance?

What is a rider to an insurance policy?

How can I prove what I lost when I file a personal property insurance claim?

I'm a renter. Do I need renters property insurance?

I can't afford insurance. Are there programs to help me?

Do I really need health insurance and disability income insurance?

What are the major types of health insurance policies?

How do health expenses get paid?

Who provides health insurance?

What does the term "reasonable and customary" mean in relation to health insurance?

What is a beneficiary?

What does "guaranteed insurability" mean in an insurance policy?

What does "guaranteed renewable" mean in an insurance policy?

What is a "joint death of husband or wife" life insurance rider?

What is a period of contestability on a life insurance policy?

What is a suicide rider on a life insurance policy?

What is an accidental death life insurance rider?

What is a life insurance disability clause?

What is a life insurance "rider?"

How should the life insurance death benefit be paid out?

Should you borrow against the cash value of a permanent life insurance policy?

What is variable life insurance?

What is universal life insurance?

What is single premium whole life insurance?

What is modified whole life insurance?

What is limited payment whole life insurance?

What is a deductible?

Are there any limits on the liability of an insurance provider?

What can I do, other than buy insurance, to manage my family's risk?

What is the difference between a peril and a hazard?

How do you choose an insurer?

Why do insurers provide coverage for some things and not others?

What is the difference between a flexible benefits plan and a flexible spending account?

What kinds of insurance providers are there?

How do insurance companies make money?

What can happen if you lie on an insurance application?

If your car is stolen and the insurance company says it will pay for the loss of the automobile, what about the things that were inside your car and trunk such as a cell phone, gifts, clothes from the cleaners or the children's toys?

What is the Health Insurance Portability Act?

I am retired and have health insurance from my former employer. They have just made several changes to my policy. Can they do that?

I am concerned about what my insurance covers in case of a fire. What should I do?

Do I need a life insurance policy? If so, how much do I get?

I have two teenagers who will be driving within a couple of years of each other. I know insurance is expensive for teenagers, are there any ways to reduce the costs?

How do I get rid of my Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?

How do I know if I need disability insurance?

What is the point of having insurance?

What are some things to consider about Medigap policies?

What are some examples of events which are covered in a standard homeowners insurance policy?

Who buys long term care insurance?

What types of long term care policies are there and how do I choose one?

How are premiums for long term care policies determined?

What are some basic tips I should follow when shopping for long term care?

Where can I find more information on long term care?

Investing

My wife and I are saving for our son’s college education. We have been placing accounts in his name, but wondered if we should place some investments in our name.

Are most people confident about picking a mutual fund?

What is an education IRA?

Why have U.S. Savings Bonds stayed so popular in America’s ever changing financial landscape?

I am the legal guardian of my mom, who is an Alzheimer’s patient in a nursing home. Can I invest some of her money in the stock market to improve the earnings she gets from a bank? At the present rate, they’ll be gone in 8 years.

When is the best time to start investing?

How do I know which savings bonds to cash in?

Where are your savings bonds? In a safe deposit box or file drawer?

What is a liquid asset?

What is diversification in terms of investing?

What is compound interest?

What are Patriot Bonds, how do they work and how can I buy them?

Will the money I invest in Patriot Bonds be earmarked to pay for the War on Terrorism?

What denominations of the Patriot Bond are available? Can I buy them as gifts?

Loans

Does Missouri offer fmha [farmer's home administration] loans?

How can I reduce my mortgage loan payments?

What are points on a mortgage loan?

What is principal on a mortgage loan?

What is amortization?

What is PITI?

What is a mortgage?

Is a title loan a good idea?

My relative has asked me to co-sign a loan. Is this a smart thing to do?

Is it wise to take out a home equity loan?

We are considering prepaying our mortgage, but may only be living in this house for three more years. What are the pros and cons of prepaying?

Miscellaneous

How do Missouri women rank in terms of education?

I am looking for some famous quotes about money. Any suggestions?

Are contracts important?

Are the contents of my safe deposit box insured by the FDIC?

Can you give me some suggestions on choosing a financial institution?

Is there software I can use for financial management purposes?

How can I safely shop on the Internet?

Retirement

I recently started a new job and would like to roll over my retirement plan to an IRA. I am debating on whether to buy a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA. I would like flexibility of making withdrawals for college or a home in the future.

I rolled over an IRA from my bank in February to a mutual fund. The forms were sent over night to the bank, but it took 2 months for the bank to produce the check. This delay cost me over $300 in market appreciation. In numerous other transfers it never took more than ten days to complete the transaction. When banks delay, are they breaking the law?

What are some myths people have about retirement savings?

What are some tips to help me keep track of my 401(k) plan?

I am getting ready to retire, but want to work another job after I do so. What are some suggestions?

Are most people financially prepared to retire?

Is it a good idea to borrow from my 401(k) if I need some extra money?

How much money do I need to retire?

When do I begin saving for retirement?

How do I begin saving for retirement?

I don't make much money but want to try to save a little for retirement. Is there anything that can help me?

Services/Benefits

My father just died in Missouri. He was on full Social Security benefits but we have no info on what to do from here. How can we gain access using his social security number and death certificates to help pay for his funeral?

Can you be over the age of 65, retired, have turned down Medicare and still qualify for Medicaid?

I am a foster parent and I think I might be able to get the Earned Income Tax Credit. How long do I have to have foster children in my home to be eligible?

I am a senior citizen and have a hard time covering my expenses for all of my prescriptions. Is there a program that can help me?

After I retire and start collecting social security, will money I take out of my IRA’s count as income and lower my social security benefits?

How can I obtain an estimate of my Social Security benefits?

How Can I Find Out More about the Earned Income Credit or the Child and Dependent Care Credit?

What is the MO$T program?

Taxes

What is a Fiscal Stimulus Rebate, how do I qualify and how much will I get?

What are the tax laws about giving gifts?

How is a child's investment income taxed?

How do alimony payments affect my taxes?

How can I get my tax refund faster?

I haven't filed last year's tax return. What do I do?

What should I do if I have not filed a federal tax return for a previous year?

Can I deduct any of the expenses that I have from looking for a new job?

Can I claim the Earned Income Tax Credit on my net self-employment if I have my own business?

Where can I get tax information about starting my own business?

I have lost my job and am wondering what will happen if I withdraw money from my qualified retirement plan or IRA?

If I am eligible for Public Assistance or Food Stamps, is it taxable?

Is unemployment compensation taxable?

Do non-cash donations make a difference for my taxes?

I have my taxes prepared by someone else. Do you have any tips to make this process easier?

Does the IRS review IRAs?

What is the tax status for long term care premiums?

What is the difference between tax-deferred and tax-exempt?

What are the changes to the tax laws for contributions limits for IRAs and Roth IRAs?

What are the changes to the tax laws for contributions limits for 401(K), 403(B) and 457 deferred compensation plans?

Wealth & Wills

Do you have any suggestions on how I can build wealth?

Should I be careful with the wording in my will in reference to the amount I can leave to my family estate-tax free?

What are some good reasons for setting up a trust?

Our family needs to make some plans for our estate. Any tips for how to keep the process "friendly"?

I want to increase my wealth. Any suggestions?

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