Personal Finance

The Moneyist

Providing answers to life's money questions

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My 8-year-old son was given $35,000 in gold bars. Do we hold onto them — or sell and invest the money?

'I am only now, in my 40s, and beginning to understand how to invest and save for retirement for myself.'

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‘What happens if we marry?’: My boyfriend gives his daughter $3,000 a month and pays for his ex-wife’s car. Is this a problem?

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My uncle persuaded my ailing grandmother to cut everyone else out of the family trust. Do we have a case against him?

Do you have questions about inheritance, tipping, weddings, re-gifting, or any tricky money issues relating to family and friends? Send them to MarketWatch's Moneyist.

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Fed’s inflation fight was already tough. Washington chaos could make it harder.

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This savings account is now paying an enticing 6.17% — and 9 other high-yield savings accounts with high APYs in October 2023

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My 8-year-old son was given $35,000 in gold bars. Do we hold onto them — or sell and invest the money?

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Why home insurance premiums have skyrocketed

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‘Bond king’ Bill Gross says investors should shun stocks and bonds. Here’s what he’s buying instead.

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We have $760,000 saved and $10,000 a month in Social Security and pensions. Should we donate our RMDs to charity?

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‘The shot heard round the world’: North Carolina Rep. Patrick McHenry’s gavel slam after Kevin McCarthy’s removal goes viral

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‘What happens if we marry?’: My boyfriend gives his daughter $3,000 a month and pays for his ex-wife’s car. Is this a problem?

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Demystifying filing for bankruptcy: what you should know

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My uncle persuaded my ailing grandmother to cut everyone else out of the family trust. Do we have a case against him?

More from The Moneyist

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My husband, 76, took out a $25,000 life-insurance plan, costing $215 a month. Should we put that in a 5% savings account instead?

Oct. 3, 2023 at 9:07 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘We have different values’: My husband took out a $50,000 car loan. What about spending money on our kids?

Oct. 3, 2023 at 12:07 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘Have we made a terrible mistake?’ My brother put our names on the deed to our 88-year-old mother’s home. What should we do?

Oct. 1, 2023 at 7:02 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘It feels like a nightmare’: My siblings hid our father’s will, which would have left me $135,000. What can I do?

Oct. 1, 2023 at 11:39 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘I’ve sacrificed my career’: My husband and I may divorce soon, but he will inherit $1 million. How do I make sure I get half?

Sep. 30, 2023 at 2:58 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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I’m 64, disabled, had a horrible divorce, and earn $28,000. What can I do right now to avoid financial ruin?

Sep. 25, 2023 at 12:29 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My fiancé earns $90K, and racks up credit-card debt. I earn $150K. Should I think twice about getting married?

Sep. 24, 2023 at 2:48 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘I don’t have a clue where to start’: Where should I invest my $50,000 life savings? Is it too late to get a 6% CD?

Sep. 24, 2023 at 2:31 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My wife and I have a $5 million estate — and no children. She has four nieces and I have one. Should we split our estate 5 ways?

Sep. 23, 2023 at 7:11 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘She says it’s not fair’: My wife will retire at 62, and I’ll be ready at 59. We have $5 million. Am I being lazy?

Sep. 19, 2023 at 12:47 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘Is my husband the cheapest man in America?’ We only eat out on our anniversary, and I don’t even have an engagement ring.

Sep. 18, 2023 at 7:59 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘We live a rather lavish lifestyle’: My wife and I are 33, live in New York City and earn $270,000. Can we retire at 55?

Sep. 17, 2023 at 1:24 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘She needs the money for care’: My 103-year-old grandmother’s adviser bought 5 bank stocks. She lost $300,000. Can I sue?

Sep. 17, 2023 at 1:10 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘It provides shade and privacy’: My neighbor wants me to cut down my 20-year-old oak tree. Can he force me to?

Sep. 17, 2023 at 1:08 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My husband ran away to another state, bought a home and opened credit cards. Am I responsible if he defaults?

Sep. 16, 2023 at 9:44 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘My in-laws are moving in with us, so I’d like them to inherit our home’: Is that a good idea?

Sep. 16, 2023 at 4:13 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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I gave my divorcing daughter $5,000. She lashed out when I refused to give her more. When will enough be enough?

Sep. 16, 2023 at 4:08 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘I grew up dirt-poor’: I am 43 and have $2.5 million in stocks and an IRA. Can I retire early?

Sep. 10, 2023 at 3:47 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘Things are rocky between us’: My girlfriend and I sold our Florida home. Our $200,000 profit was wired to her account. She refuses to give me my fair share. What’s my next move?

Sep. 9, 2023 at 6:28 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘After my mom died, they did not visit my dad or call him’: My parents left me $800,000. My 2 sisters predeceased them, leaving 6 kids. Do they deserve any inheritance?

Sep. 9, 2023 at 6:09 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell