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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Is a Phased Retirement Right for You?Want to keep working, just not as hard? A phased retirement may just be the answer.
By Kimberly Lankford
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Why You Should Check Your College's Financial HealthColleges throughout the country are struggling financially as enrollment shrinks and expenses rise, making it important to check the financial health of the college your or your child is attending.
By Kimberly Lankford
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How to Get Your Insurer to Pay Your Home and Auto Claimsinsurance Follow these steps to minimize hassles and get all the money you deserve.
By Kimberly Lankford
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What You Can Get From the Family and Medical Leave ActThe Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects employees who need to take time off from work to care for themselves or others. You might be surprised at some of the situations it can apply to.
By Kimberly Lankford
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How to Buy Homeowners Insuranceinsurance 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
insurance -
Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Health Insurance Coverage?Whether it's monitoring your deductible or using a health savings account, here are the best ways to maximize use of your health insurance coverage
By Kimberly Lankford
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Say No to Co-Signingcredit & debt Helping someone get a loan or lease by being a co-signer can affect your credit score and your ability to borrow money.
By Kimberly Lankford
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Smart Strategies For Open Enrollment 2023Open 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
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12 Ways to Lower Your Auto-Insurance Premiumsinsurance Here's how to save on car insurance as rates remain elevated.
By Kimberly Lankford
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Flood Insurance May Cost You MoreBecoming a Homeowner New national rating procedures will raise premiums for more than 3.8 million policyholders.
By Kimberly Lankford
Becoming a Homeowner -
Avoid the Obstacles of Long-Term-Care ClaimsLong-Term Care Insurance Filing a claim can be an ordeal, but these preventive measures will streamline the process.
By Kimberly Lankford
Long-Term Care Insurance -
Surviving Surprise Medical Billsinsurance Unexpected charges are on the rise as insurers shrink their provider networks.
By Kimberly Lankford
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
IRAs -
Credit Report Error? They All Mattercredit & debt Don't dismiss a minor error. It could be the sign of something more serious.
By Kimberly Lankford
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
insurance -
Getting Out of an RMD Penalty
retirement When your brokerage firm miscalculates your required minimum distributions, you have recourse.
By Kimberly Lankford
retirement -
529 Plans Aren’t Just for Kids529 Plans You don’t have to be college-age to use the money tax-free, but there are stipulations.
By Kimberly Lankford
529 Plans -
When to Transfer Ownership of a Custodial Accountsavings Before your child turns 18, you should check with your broker about the account's age of majority and termination.
By Kimberly Lankford
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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
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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
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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
retirement -
How to Correct a Mistake on Your RMDs from IRAsretirement 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
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
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Ways to Spend Your Flexible Spending Account Money by March 15 Deadline
spending Many workers will be hitting the drugstore in the next few days to use up leftover flexible spending account money from 2018 so they don’t lose it.
By Kimberly Lankford
spending
