
Donna LeValley
Donna joined Kiplinger as a personal finance writer in 2023. She spent more than a decade as the contributing editor of J.K.Lasser's Your Income Tax Guide and edited state specific legal treatises at ALM Media. She has shared her expertise as a guest on Bloomberg, CNN, Fox, NPR, CNBC and many other media outlets around the nation. She is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School and the University at Buffalo.
Latest articles by Donna LeValley
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What Is Collision Insurance and What Does It Cover?
insurance Collision insurance is often optional, but there are many good reasons to include it in your policy.
By Donna LeValley
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Three Changes to Medicare on the Horizon for 2025
Medicare beneficiaries will see a few changes in 2025, including on costs.
By Donna LeValley
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Save Money On Utilities With A Home Energy Audit
With rising energy prices and inflation, now's a great time to check the efficiency of your home.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
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15 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter
home There are many ways to prepare your home for winter, which will help keep you safe and warm and save on housing and utility costs.
By Donna LeValley
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Holiday Travel Guide: 12 Tips for Navigating Airports
Travel From knowing the latest security rules to bypassing long lines, here are 12 tips to save your sanity at the airport this holiday.
By Donna LeValley
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Six Year-End Deadlines for Retirees in 2024
Here are six key end-of-year 2024 deadlines that retirees and those saving to retire won't want to miss.
By Donna LeValley
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Medicare Open Enrollment Is Ending Soon
Medicare During this period each fall, you can select a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan or switch back to original Medicare.
By Donna LeValley
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Financial Topics You Can Safely Discuss at Thanksgiving
Forget politics! Holidays offer families a valuable opportunity to talk about their shared financial interests.
By Donna LeValley
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Beware Three Medicare Open Enrollment Scams
Crooks are perfecting Medicare Open Enrollment scams to try to steal your money or personal information.
By Donna LeValley
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Four Reasons to Shop Before Black Friday
Smart Buying It can make financial sense to buy holiday gifts before Black Friday.
By Donna LeValley
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Medicare Premiums 2024: IRMAA for Parts B and D
The income related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) for 2024 Medicare Part B & Part D Premiums.
By Donna LeValley
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10 States Where Retirees Get Smaller Social Security Raises
Geography doesn't dictate how much Social Security you will receive. However, employment opportunities, pay scale and lifetime earnings impact your monthly benefit greatly.
By Donna LeValley
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Social Security COLA Is 2.5% for 2025: What to Know
The 2025 Social Security COLA, tax wage cap and how much you need to earn to qualify for SS credits has been announced by the Social Security Administration.
By Donna LeValley
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Best Time of Year to Buy A House
You may find a good home deal at any time of year, but certain seasons or even months have the perfect blend of inventory, supply and price. Here's when to look.
By Donna LeValley
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Medicare Part D and Advantage Costs Decrease in 2025
Beneficiaries will pay less in 2025 for Medicare Part D prescription and Medicare Advantage plan premiums.
By Donna LeValley
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Should You Buy Life Insurance? Four Cases When You Should or Shouldn't
insurance If no one depends on your income for support, you probably don't need life insurance at all.
By Donna LeValley
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When Will the Social Security 2025 COLA Be Announced?
The Social Security Administration will announce the official 2025 COLA, the earnings-test limit for 2025 and the wage cap for Social Security taxes on the same day.
By Donna LeValley
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Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Now That the Fed Just Cut Rates?
The Fed just cut rates, so mortgage refinance rates will be cheaper. Should you act now, or wait?
By Donna LeValley
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2025 Social Security COLA Estimate Drops Again
The final Social Security COLA estimate for 2025 has dropped slightly from the previous estimate.
By Donna LeValley
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Medicare Advantage Customers Face Shrinking Options
Medicare Advantage plan insurers are reducing their enrollments as profit margins shrink.
By Donna LeValley
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Get the New 'Medicare and You' Handbook for 2025
Here's how to get a free version of the "Medicare & You" handbook and learn about upcoming Medicare changes.
By Donna LeValley
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Medicare Data Breach Impacts Almost 1 Million Subscribers
Following the Medicare data breach, you can continue to use your existing Medicare card; beneficiaries with compromised Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers will be sent a new card with a new number.
By Donna LeValley
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How Long $750,000 in Savings Plus Social Security Will Last in Every State
How long $750,000 plus Social Security will last depends on when you retire and where you live.
By Donna LeValley
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What You Pay for Medicare in 2024
Medicare premiums are updated yearly and in 2024 premiums for Part B and Part B increased slightly after falling in 2023.
By Donna LeValley