Wild Card

Wild Card Questions

Recently widowed

I’ve just filed with the SSA for survivor’s benefits. My husband passed in October. SSA has no W-2 from 2013,..

Medicare fraud

My husband has been charged on his Medicare account for intermittent catheters at the cost of $12,000 over two separate..

Government taxing IRA,401K,RothIRA

Saw a rather disturbing video on email that was warning retirees to move on securing their accounts because the government..

SIM card

Dear Terry I always enjoy reading your articles and financial advice . Last Sunday you mentioned SIM card protection so..

SUM Theft in the Chicago Tribune on Dec 21, 2025

Is the SIM protection code you mentioned different from a PIN I have created before I can use my phone?..

INHERITANCE

I HAD A SIBLING WHO PASSED AWAY DECEMBER 2024. THERE WAS A WILL, HOWEVER NOT UP TO DATE. WE ARE..

Crook County property appeals

Hi, Terry, can you recommend a trustworthy person who can help my elderly parents appeal their Crook County property taxes?..

Gold

I just heard you on WGN radio and you gave a name where you have bought gold and I missed..

investing for minor grandchildren

I want to open stock accounts for each of my 6 great grandkids. I have asked each what stock they..

Co signing a loan?

Should I co sign a loan for my granddaughter? Will this affect my excellent credit rating?Will I get good interest..

Illinois Estate Planning – HB2601 — $8 Million Exemption? Will it REALLY happen??

Terry, Do you have more information on HB 2601 introduced to the Illinois General Assembly, but not voted on yet...

Finding lost US savings bonds

I have recently discover that I have list all my savings bonds from 1950’s through 1980’s. These were birthday gifts..

SIM card

what was your advice regarding SIM card? Do you freeze or put it on hold? I read somewhere that you..

Freezing Credit

Heard on WGN. How do I freeze my Credit?

Paying Estimated Quarterly Taxes Online

Hi Terry- You spoke briefly about paying estimated quarterly taxes by going to https://www.irs.gov/payments on WGN 12-10-25. Can you please..

Capital loss vs std deduction

As a senior citizen my standard deduction is more than enough to reduce my AGI . do I still have..

Financial and Medical Record Retention

My mother-in-law passed away 3 plus years ago. How long do we need to retain paperwork about her illness as..

Thank You

No question, just a thank you. I learned about you in the 1990s from my wife’s grandmother, a widower in..

Dental Insurance for Seniors

terry, what’s the best insurance plan for seniors who are on medicare? looking at all options with no waiting period..

Debit Cards risks

My husband refuses to use a debit card even though most businesses do not accept checks anymore. He read a..

money

ASK TERRY

a personal
finance question