Ask Terry Archives

I am a retired conservative and by choice passive investor. On your recommendation I have consolidated my 401K’s and removed any “company participation”. Currently my advisor is recommending I add “portfolio advisory services” which cost 0.9 % to 1.07% depending on the “target equity” I choose. Other than working for the same company my advisor…

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My husband and I are looking for a credit card that will earn miles for airline travel. Which one is the best? Thank you, Andrea

I make much more money than my ex-husband and I am the account owner of my daughters 529 plan. My ex is able to be the custodial parent on the the college FAFSA which excludes my income for reporting on the FAFSA. Since he is reporting his income and not mine do we leave the…

we would like to freeze our credit account due to the Equifax data breach. Do you have to contact each credit bureau to freeze- Equifax, Experion, and Transunion or just one of those?

I feel that I have no choice but to get a reverse mortgage on my house. I am on the verge of filing for bankruptcy. (I unfortunately trusted the wrong people and lost a great deal of my retirement funds.) I have one mortgage broker who says that she can get me the reverse mortgage…

Hello Terry! I love all of your advice on WGN Morning News and I finally have a question for you. I've been using Quicken for 20 years really really hate it. Can you please recommend any other personal money management software that is NOT Quicken or Mint? I have rental property, credit cards and investment…

I'm am 56 with 30 years of employment . Which at this point I can retire but want to make sure I have enough money in my 401. How can I calculate how much money I will need. Come time to retire and do I wait until 62, 65 or 67?

Should I dispute incorrect historical info on one of my accounts in my Equifax credit report? The actual credit/account info is correct and I verified with the creditor that my account is open and in good standing. I already froze my Equifax account and filed a dispute to have the incorrect info removed, but does…

You had an article about finding a broker. Not just a stock broker but a __________ - a "better" financial advisor, more fiduciary responsibility. I can't remember the correct name. Do they work on a commission now a days? I've not had luck in finding someone. Thank you! Lynn

Hi Terry, My daughter is a Senior in high school in New Jersey on H4 visa. My husband, her father holds the H1 B visa and he has a valid SSN. We have neen in Nj for the past 10 yrs and taxed have been failed on time. We just got to know that she…

Is there an $$ amount limit on savings bonds that can be in a living trust?

My daughter just put a freeze on her credit through Equifax, because we read on their website her information may have been compromised in the recent breach. She will be applying with FASFA for her second year of dental school on October 1, 2017. Will the freeze prevent her from receiving federal loans?

I am now hearing commercials for "Home Title Lock" protection at about $10/month. Is that really necessary? What if you've already signed up for ID protection with someone like Lifelock and put a "credit freeze" in place with Trans Union and others. Can someone really transfer the title on your home without you being aware?…

I read there is a fourth credit reporting agency, Innovis (https://www.innovis.com/personal/securityFreeze), should a Credit Freeze be placed at this agency? Have already done the big three.

I saw you on WTTW and put out a fraud alert like you advised and each agency got back to me stating that it will be on for 90 days. Equifax is suggesting that I should enroll in Trusted ID Premier. It is their company which will guard my credit report a no charge. Is…

While two of the three credit reporting companies quickly and easily processed my request for a credit freeze, Experian processed my wife's request but denied mine. I have no idea why and it is impossible to find a human to clarify. Submit your info by the internet -NOTHING, try to call the number you have…

Having trouble on line to contact Equifax regarding the freeze Thank you Gail

What are the easiest scholarships available to apply for

Is it a good idea to take out a loan to pay off credit cards and students loans so that I would only have one payment per month? Thank you for your help.