Personal Finance

The Moneyist

Providing answers to life's money questions

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‘We’re dreaming of a new life’: My wife and I have $2.5 million saved. We’re in our mid-40s. Can we retire to Latin America now?

"We love the idea of moving to a beach town in a Latin American country, learning Spanish and immersing ourselves in a new culture."

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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?

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‘I’m conflicted’: Should I pay off my fiancé’s credit-card debt and subsidize our vacations? He spends a lot of money on ‘stuff.’ 

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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Update your iPhone: Apple just pushed out an important security update

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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?

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Here’s why Wall Street may be overreacting about Apple’s China’s challenges

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Confused about how much to tip? Here is a detailed guide

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Retire to Arizona? Seriously?

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VinFast loses more than $140 billion in market cap in two weeks after week-long nosedive for EV maker

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Nio, Alibaba stocks drop as part of broad selloff in the ADS of China-based companies

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When a cardiologist invited his patients to walk with him in a local park, 100 people showed up. It was the beginning of a global program.

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Cruise travel is back but economic uncertainty may cool future demand

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I’m retiring at 65 with $2 million, an $850,000 home and $3,500 a month in Social Security. Should I follow the 4% rule if I don’t want to leave an inheritance?

More from The Moneyist

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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. 7, 2023 at 5:30 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’: Should I download an online will?

Sep. 6, 2023 at 5:47 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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I gave my daughter $5,000 for her divorce, but she lashed out when I refused to give her more. When will enough be enough?

Sep. 4, 2023 at 3:59 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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Our older son, 37, is an artist and puts $1,000 a month on our credit card. Our other son, 35, is self-sufficient. Is that unfair?

Sep. 4, 2023 at 3:57 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘He wanted nothing to do with me’: I discovered my biological father through Ancestry.com. Am I entitled to a share of his estate?

Sep. 4, 2023 at 3:54 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. 3, 2023 at 1:33 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My husband and I have $6 million in retirement and zero debt. What do you recommend for the couple who has everything?

Sep. 3, 2023 at 1:09 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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I want to give over $600,000 to my adult children. How do I ensure they don’t lose that money in the event they divorce?

Sep. 2, 2023 at 10:44 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘My family is dealing with a significant shock’: My father secretly married his caregiver, who is 40 years his junior. She’ll inherit $80 million. What can we do?

Sep. 2, 2023 at 3:59 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘We live in purgatory’: My wife has a multimillion-dollar trust fund, but my mother-in-law controls it. We earn $400,000 and spend beyond our means. What’s our next move?

Sep. 2, 2023 at 3:47 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My mother’s will leaves everything to her 3 children. My brother died suddenly — and his wife says she will receive her late husband’s share

Sep. 2, 2023 at 9:13 a.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?

Aug. 29, 2023 at 2:31 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘I feel used’: My partner stays with me 5 nights a week, even though he owns his own home. Should he pay for utilities and food? 

Aug. 29, 2023 at 12:29 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My sister squandered our parents’ millions, asked me to give her $10,000, then made me a tempting offer. Should I take it?

Aug. 27, 2023 at 1:43 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘I’m only interested in zero risk’: I’m inheriting $100,000. Is a 5.5% CD a good rate? Where else should I invest?

Aug. 26, 2023 at 5:36 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘When I ran it past the missus, she went ballistic’: I want to buy a $40,000 car, but my wife said no. Then things really got weird.

Aug. 26, 2023 at 2:34 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My husband is still paying his ex-wife alimony after 25 years. Will it finally end when he dies?

Aug. 26, 2023 at 9:33 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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Do children get 529 accounts in a divorce? My in-laws opened two plans for our kids, but their marriage is on the rocks. 

Aug. 24, 2023 at 12:46 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My wife and I want to retire to the Philippines. We’ve $193,000 in savings and $280,000 in investments. Can we do it? 

Aug. 21, 2023 at 10:36 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘Retire at 67? I’m already exhausted’: I’m 49 with 25 years left on my $540,000 mortgage. Am I doomed?

Aug. 20, 2023 at 11:25 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell