Ask Terry Archives

Terry, what is the web site to check your credit score once every 12 months for free? SAVAGE SAYS: Go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com. You don't have to buy any of those credit monitoring services. Just click the links to each of the three major credit bureaus.

Terry - My daughter came into some money ($100,000 as a result of a court settlement. I don't really know how to advise her on how to invest this money. I have not done such a great job myself. She will be married in 3 weeks and I am thinking that maybe should contact someone…

Hi, I've written previously and now cannot find all the questions and answers since you are no longer in the Sun Times. I'm not finding all the Q&A by going to each of your topic pages. Mine was related to mortgage refinancing. help? SAVAGE SAYS: I wasn't allowed to transfer all the old answers from…

I understand that one can give away up to @$13,000 a year to any individual and that individual does not have to report to IRS or pay tax. My question is: What about the Giver? Is the amount tax deductible for the Giver? (If a giver has to pay tax for the amount given away,…

I have a deferred comp account and I would like to know where to start on educating myself on how to manage it. My last statement said my investments grew 4.5% . SAVAGE SAYS: Do you have an actual deferred comp account at the company where you work If so, they probably don't give you…

Hi Terry, I have a question for you: I have two (reg.) IRA's and am 67 yrs. old, am retired with a part time job that suppliments my SS check. I know at age 70 1/2 I'll have to start taking yearly distributions on my money and pay taxes and I am just a little…

Terry, what is the web site to check your credit score once every 12 months for free? SAVAGE SAYS: Go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com. You don't have to buy any of those credit monitoring services. Just click the links to each of the three major credit bureaus.

We have an opportunity to buy a vacation, shoreline, home at a good price. The property has been professionally managed as a rental property for over ten years, returning a small annual profit. We have sufficient liquid assets to make a cash purchase, but they are all tied up in retirement funds. Can we purchase…

I have a $100k term life policy that goes thru 2021. My youngest kid graduates HS that year. Do I need to keep the policy after the kids are done with HS? thanks SAVAGE SAYS: Only if you feel lucky!? Seriously,? do you have a spouse depending on your income or support Do your kids…

After losing over $20K in principal in the last 6 months with Vanguard GNMA, I cashed it in and now am not sure where to put it to get a good monthly income of $1k at least. Am on SSdisability at $731 a month. I am a divorced gal of 64. Any ideas? I have…

I am approaching age of 61, works part-time now (going back to work full time has not been successful) and retired recently at 30 years service with AT&T so am getting monthly pension. I am wondering if I should take social security early next year at 62. My wife is 57 and works full time…

I am an elderly senior ( 75+) , have a bank CD IRA worth $125,000 that will mature in Sept. this year. I do want to move it from this bank as they have moved & have not been user friendly. Would it be wise for me to transfer this money to Vanguard broker @…

Hi Terry! In 2009 I invested in the Chase Core Bond Class C. I noticed that my investment isn't doing so well recently. I heard that the interest rate is going up which will affect all bond investments. Many so called experts are saying to pull out and save your profits and principle while you…

Hi Terry, So many of us miss your helpful updates . Hope you will return soon ! With much appreciation for you ! SAVAGE SAYS: Thanks so much for your nice note. If you go to www.terrysavage.com you can read my columns, which I still write for national syndication, each week. And if you sign…

we have 32000 coming due in nov. 3.9 bank will pay about 1% after that. where can we get more. we are 62 and working. SAVAGE SAYS: ? Please write me again in mid-October. Rates are starting to rise, so you may get a better deal. And when you write back, you need to tell…

I am retired and my wife is still working we have a small home mortgage ($76000) my interest rate is only 2.5% I just refinanced last year for 15 years and I pay it with my VA disability. I have savings that could pay off the mortgage. Is it better to pay it off or…

I am going to be 66 in October and planning to take my social security beneit. At this time I am still working full time. My husband is 66 and is retired from the Post Office and is receiving his retirement income less a survivor benefit for me. His Social Security is offset and he…

My grand daughter, age 21, has student loans from 'Direct Loans' in the amt. of $11,000. This loan was made 4 yrs. ago when she was laid off. Being a single mom with a son , she decided to get further education. Because of the stress of not working & found the school to be…

dear Terry, what do you think about the frontline program, are managed mutual funds good for retirement or are mutual index funds the way to go. who is really making money on the investors money? thank you for your time. chuck lazzaro. retired age 63 SAVAGE SAYS: I'm so disappointed that I missed seeing it.…

setting up my retirement account, met with a retirement planner, that a WLS radio show wm gieger recommened, however i see on the state of il site, this broker is not regeristered with finra, should i keep looking, do you have any referrals? SAVAGE SAYS: Lots of people call themselves "financial planners" -- but you…