
Kimberly Lankford
As the "Ask Kim" columnist for Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Lankford receives hundreds of personal finance questions from readers every month. She is the author of Rescue Your Financial Life (McGraw-Hill, 2003), The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance -- and Still Get the Coverage You Need (Kaplan, 2006), Kiplinger's Ask Kim for Money Smart Solutions (Kaplan, 2007) and The Kiplinger/BBB Personal Finance Guide for Military Families. She is frequently featured as a financial expert on television and radio, including NBC's Today Show, CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.
Latest articles by Kimberly Lankford
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Smart Strategies For Open Enrollment 2023
Open enrollment will soon be underway, and many employers are shielding workers from hefty increases in health insurance premiums. But it pays to review your options carefully.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
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How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
insurance Instead of relying on rules of thumb, you’re better off taking a systematic approach to figuring your life-insurance needs.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
insurance -
10 Things You Need To Know About Hurricane Insurance Claims
Becoming a Homeowner Hurricane damage? Know what’s covered, what isn’t, and how to make the most of your policy if you need to file a claim.
By Kimberly Lankford Last updated
Becoming a Homeowner -
12 Ways to Lower Your Auto-Insurance Premiums
insurance Here's how to save on car insurance as rates remain elevated.
By Kimberly Lankford Last updated
insurance -
The Basics of Buying Homeowners Insurance
insurance If you're purchasing your first home, here's what you need to know about getting the right coverage to protect it.
By Kimberly Lankford Last updated
insurance -
10 Best Benefits for Military Members and Their Families
savings Service members face a range of threats – from the lethal to the financial. An array of military benefits and programs are meant to offset some of the risk for them, their spouses and their families.
By Lisa Gerstner Last updated
savings -
How to File Tornado Insurance Claims
insurance The five-state storms caused billions in damages. If you were affected, make sure you document your losses and contact your insurer immediately.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
insurance -
Flood Insurance May Cost You More
Becoming a Homeowner New national rating procedures will raise premiums for more than 3.8 million policyholders.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
Becoming a Homeowner -
How to Estimate Your Social Security Benefits
social security There are a few tools you can use to calculate your Social Security benefits, including signing up for a my Social Security account.
By Jackie Stewart Published
social security -
Avoid the Obstacles of Long-Term-Care Claims
Long-Term Care Insurance Filing a claim can be an ordeal, but these preventive measures will streamline the process.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
Long-Term Care Insurance -
Surviving Surprise Medical Bills
insurance Unexpected charges are on the rise as insurers shrink their provider networks.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
insurance -
New Law Could Change Rules for IRA Withdrawals
IRAs Under the proposed legislation, you would have more time to take IRA distributions.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
IRAs -
Credit Report Error? They All Matter
credit & debt Don't dismiss a minor error. It could be the sign of something more serious.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
credit & debt -
Insurance for a Learning Driver
insurance Adding a teen driver to your plan will raise premiums, but there are things you can do to help reduce them.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
insurance -
Getting Out of an RMD Penalty
retirement When your brokerage firm miscalculates your required minimum distributions, you have recourse.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
retirement -
529 Plans Aren’t Just for Kids
529 Plans You don’t have to be college-age to use the money tax-free, but there are stipulations.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
529 Plans -
11 Reasons You Need Umbrella Insurance Right Now
insurance An umbrella insurance policy can protect your assets and future earnings from expensive lawsuits.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
insurance -
When to Transfer Ownership of a Custodial Account
savings Before your child turns 18, you should check with your broker about the account's age of majority and termination.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
savings -
Borrowers Get More Time to Repay 401(k) Loans
retirement If you leave your job while you have an outstanding 401(k) loan, Uncle Sam now gives you extra time to repay it -- thanks to the new tax law.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
retirement -
When It Pays to Buy Travel Insurance
Travel Investing in travel insurance can help recover some costs when your vacation gets ruined by a natural disaster, medical emergency or other catastrophe.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
Travel -
It’s Not Too Late to Boost Retirement Savings for 2018
retirement Some retirement accounts will accept contributions for 2018 up until the April tax deadline.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
retirement -
How Your HSA Can Reimburse You for Medicare Premiums Paid
Medicare Even if your Medicare premiums are automatically deducted from your Social Security check, you can take tax-free withdrawals from a health savings account to reimburse yourself for them.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
Medicare -
How to Correct a Mistake on Your RMDs from IRAs
retirement If you didn't take out the correct required minimum distribution because your brokerage firm made a mistake, the IRS may show some leniency.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
retirement -
What Travel Insurance Covers When Planes Are Grounded
Travel Your travel insurance might help with some costs if your trip was delayed because of the recent grounding of Boeing 737 Max planes.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
Travel