
Patricia Mertz Esswein
Latest articles by Patricia Mertz Esswein
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Retirees, Sell Your Home Without a Hassle
retirement If you need a quick sale so you can move to a better or different situation, you have some quick-turnaround options.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
retirement -
Does Rental Income Count for IRA Contributions?
investing Rental income is considered "passive," and traditional and Roth IRA contributions must come from "active" income, or compensation from working.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
investing -
Discover Your Roots With DNA Testing
spending DNA testing offers insights into your family tree, but watch out for unintended consequences.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
spending -
Unconventional Mortgage Loans Are Making a Comeback
loans Lenders are making it easier to get loans, but a repeat of the housing crisis isn’t in the cards.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
loans -
Now Is a Good Time to Refinance
interest rates You may benefit even if you can’t reduce your mortgage rate by a full percentage point.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
interest rates -
Claremont, Calif.: A Smart Place to Retire
retirement Explore Claremont’s vast range hiking trails or try out lectures and performances at one of its seven colleges.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
retirement -
Richmond, Va.: A Smart Place to Retire
real estate Opportunities in the arts abound in this vibrant eastern city for retirees.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
real estate -
Market for Home Solar Systems Heats Up
Tax Breaks With falling costs and hefty tax credits for solar systems, more homeowners are harnessing the sun to save money.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
Tax Breaks -
Get a Good Last-Minute Travel Deal
Travel You can still save on end-of-summer or fall vacations.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
Travel -
Financial Rules of Thumb to Consider Breaking
Financial Planning We found five rules that you may want to bend—or ignore.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
Financial Planning -
Zillow Moves to Improve Home Price Estimates
real estate First free online home pricing site aims to tweak its accuracy and avoid unrealistic expectations of homeowners.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
real estate -
How to Make a Million (or More!)
business Four success stories — and guidance on how you, too, could reach this milestone.
By Sandra Block
business -
Home Sales Go High-Tech
real estate Corporate buyers will sell your home in a hurry, and you don’t need to lift a finger.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
real estate -
Managing a Financial Hardship: Real Life Stories
Financial Planning If you get laid off or are hit with a major household expense, do you have enough saved to help cover expenses? Here’s how three people were able to cope.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
Financial Planning -
Home Prices Take a Breather
real estate Prices will continue rising, but more slowly, as the housing market regains some balance between buyers and sellers.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
real estate -
He Learned to Trade for Profit – and Can Teach You, Too
investing Raymond Rondeau says technical analysis, plus emotional discipline, are the keys to investing success.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
investing -
How Much Umbrella Insurance Do You Need?
insurance Having too much liability insurance is better than having too little. And it’s affordable.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
insurance -
New Strategies for Smart Borrowing
credit & debt Rising interest rates and new tax rules mean taking a different approach to how you shop for loans and manage your debt.
By Miriam Cross
credit & debt -
These Retirees Volunteer Abroad
Travel They’ve crisscrossed Europe doing everything from picking grapes to teaching English.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
Travel -
Best Phone Plans for Every Type of User, 2018
Technology
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
Technology -
Best Money Software and Web Sites
Smart Buying Here's how to save more the next time you shop for household goods, buy auto insurance, purchase prescription drugs plus more.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
Smart Buying -
Operation Turbo Says Thanks to Service Members
spending These care packages let deployed service members know they are appreciated.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
spending -
Wages Are Finally Set to Rise in 2019
credit & debt If you’re not switching jobs, smart negotiating could help you get ahead of the trend.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
credit & debt -
13 Retirement Tips for Snowbirds
Making Your Money Last Pat and Pete Engel of Glendale, N.Y., are seasoned snowbirds, having spent every winter since 1995 in Florida.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
Making Your Money Last