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Contributing Editor Kiplinger's Personal Finance
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.
It's the sixth year in a row that costs have jumped at least that much.
See More From: Ask Kim
After saving for years in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-deferred retirement plan, you eventually have to take the money out and pay taxes on it. Most people need to start taking these required minimum distributions ...
See More From: Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
Insurers will no longer be able to sell Plan F and Plan C medigap policies to people who sign up for coverage in 2020 and later, but current enrollees won't have to switch.
There is no age limit in some volunteer organizations, including the Peace Corps.
See More From: Careers
You lose some of your parental rights once your offspring turn 18, but they can obtain legal documents that will allow you to intercede on their behalf, particularly when they go away to college.
Many families are discovering that a 20-year term for a life insurance policy isn’t enough.
See More From: Life Insurance
Buy the right life insurance plan now to avoid scrambling to find coverage later.
See More From: Kip Tips
Know the differences between the agencies that help keep your money safe.
You can withdraw contributions from a Roth IRA to help purchase your first home.
Even if your child wins a full scholarship, you can use money from a 529 college-savings plan for things other than tuition without triggering taxes or a penalty.
You’re never too young to open a Roth IRA if you earn money from a job. If you invest in a Roth IRA early—and continually over decades—modest sums can grow into seven figures.
You don’t have to sign up for full Medicare coverage at age 65 if you’re still covered under an employer’s plan. But you’ll need to watch enrollment deadlines.
Start investing on behalf of your kids by opening an account on Stockpile.
If you discovered that you missed taking valuable deductions or tax credits in the past, you have up to three years after the tax-filing deadline to file an amended return. Now's the time to look back ...
See More From: Tax Planning
Provisions to the Dodd-Frank reform act gives small banks more discretion to make loans and mandates free credit freezes.
See More From: Banking
Several tax breaks can ease the financial blow of college costs, whether you’re saving to send your kids to college, paying tuition bills for a child or yourself, pursuing graduate work, or repaying ...
See More From: Tax Breaks
Workers with side gigs can sock away even more for retirement in accounts designed for freelancers and other self-employed individuals.