How to Save Money

Weddings have always been big business, but I was shocked to see how expensive they've become in the 17 years since my wife and I got married.

Dear Liz: You always mention fee-only financial planners and I'm not sure about the true meaning. My husband and I have a financial planner who charges us $2,200 per year, but we got a summary of transaction fees in the amount of $6,200 for last year. Is this reasonable?

Dear Liz: I bought my condo in 2009. I took out a loan on my 401(k) account to use for the down payment. I left my job in early 2012, and at the time didn't have the money to pay back the loan, so the balance was treated as a distribution.

Maybe you're a college student looking to rent your first apartment; or a downsizing homeowner reentering the rental market for the first time in decades.

Dear Liz: What would you suggest that someone do with $20,000 if the someone is closer to 40 than 30, single, with $100,000 of student loan debt and a $250,000 mortgage?

Dear Liz: We are in our 60s and looking to downsize. We're living in an apartment now and don't like it, so we want to buy a small house. Also, our finances took some serious hits in the recent economy and we're trying to rebuild.

I'm a big believer in having the appropriate amount of insurance, especially when it comes to your health and personal liability.

Clipping coupons can be a fun and easy way to save money on your monthly grocery budget. But nowadays you don’t have to be a slave to your scissors and the Sunday paper to get the best offers.

Dear Liz: You recently answered a question from a reader who found an old refund check that couldn't be cashed. You pointed out that checks typically must be cashed within six months or they're worthless. But your reader should check the unclaimed-property department of his state.

Dear Liz: My life insurance policy of $500,000 will end in four years, when I'm 63. My wife's policy ends at age 62. Our kids are 28 and 25 and successfully launched with careers. I also have a $180,000 life insurance policy through my job that expires when I plan to retire, also at age 63.

Dear Liz: I'll be done paying off my car in a couple of months. What's a good strategy for redirecting that money once it's paid off?

Dear Liz: A lot of financial advice sites say you should have an emergency fund equal to three to six months of living expenses. What would be considered living expenses? Should you use three to six months of your net take-home pay or a smaller number? Is three to six months really enough?

Dear Liz: Should my retired wife (age 74) and I (age 78) refinance our home just to lower our monthly payment by $100? I’m considering going for a five-year fixed at 2.74% followed by a 25-year variable.

Dear Liz: My bank unexpectedly charged me a $25 annual fee for overdraft protection, which ironically caused two checks to bounce because I no longer had sufficient funds to cover them. I was then charged overdraft fees of $27.50 for each check, as I was already maxed out on my overdraft protection.

Many people adopt a "penny wise, pound foolish" mentality when it comes to buying insurance. When trying to lower expenses, some will drop or reduce needed coverage, gambling that they won't become seriously ill, suffer a car accident or fall victim to a fire or other catastrophe.

Dear Liz: Why are banks not offering a higher interest rate for savings accounts? Why so darn low?

Dear Liz: A friend of mine had a savings account for many years but didn’t put any money in it for some time. When he went to take money out, the bank had taken the money because he hadn’t used it enough.

Dear Liz: My son will be going to a for-profit technical school about 120 miles away from home. Unfortunately, we have not saved any money for his college education. What are our best options for borrowing to pay for his college education, which will cost about $92,000 for four years?

Dear Liz: I am embarrassed to ask this, but I desperately need some very entry-level advice about money. Growing up, I never paid attention to finances. Now married for more than 30 years, I am still in the same situation.

Dear Liz: After working all out for 28 years in a small business, I have put away $2.6 million in stocks, bonds and some cash. (I am a reasonably smart investor.) I’m 58 and want to be done at 60.