Go Ahead, Ask Your Question!


What’s your most pressing money question? A question where if you could get a good answer, it would make your life better.

Remember, I’m not a tax specialist or investment advisor so don’t ask me where to invest your money or for specific tax advice. If you’re not sure, go ahead and ask it. Remember what your teacher always told you? There’s no such thing as a foolish question.

If you can’t think of what to ask, sometimes it helps to think about a specific money related problem you’ve run into over the last few weeks or months.

What was something you were really frustrated by or couldn’t seem to find an answer to?

9 Responses to Go Ahead, Ask Your Question!

  • Allison

    I’m looking to cut down on day care costs. My job offers a day care flex spending account that you can contribute up to $5,000 per year. Will those help me to cut costs?

  • Kim

    i guess my one question is how to overcome my own fear of investment so i can actually do something with my 401k money that is safe. i am 59, so cannot afford to be risky. i have 130k in scott trade just sitting and doing nothing. thanks

  • Gloria

    I went to a Bank in Alberta where my husband organized for me to sign for a HELOC. The Bank was only aware that he was on the certificate of title at that time. Because they believed I was not on the Certificate of Title they had me sign the document that “waived my dower rights”. My husband did not tell them I was on the title as a joint tenant.
    When I signed the HELOC the Bank did not explain to me that I was waiving my dower rights. They did not even know I was on the certificate of title at the time I signed it because they did not do a updated search on it. Now I find out that I have no control over the line of credit and my husband can do whatever he wants and I have no say and have lost my dower rights. Can I do anything about this Bank where they (1) did not explain this to me and (2) they did not do an up to date property search which identified that I was on the Certificate of Title and a joint tenant and therefore should have signed a different document. (3) How can I fix this problem and get out of this HELOC?

  • Jeet Singh

    We are first time home owners and landed in a foreclosed house. What is an optimum hourly rate for a handyman and how to find a reliable & knowledgeable one?

  • Tan Zhi Wei

    i have been quite tight on my budget these days.
    i have been rejecting all restaurant eat outs and outings with friends where i have to pay for myself, simply because i have to cut down all unnecessary expenses, to squeeze out as much savings as i can.
    Yet, some insurance company call me up to take up a new policy, which cost 15.50 singapore dollars (S$) a month, insuring me with S$100,000 and S$2000 a month for 12 months if something were to happen to me and i cannot work anymore, with no cashback benefits if there are no claims made.
    According to a professional and pretty reliable calculating tool, i’m actually already over-insured, judging from my financial situation and responsibilities.
    But looking at this deal presented, and the agent who called me up, keep on pushing it smartly to me, i’ve given way, and took up the policy.
    Days after, the same company send another person to call me, to ask sign up for its rider too, at S$6.90 a month, again with no cashback benefits.
    For both persons, i have once rejected them, saying that i’m having limited budget, and thus could not take up the deals.
    Reflecting back, i asked myself, what’s wrong with this? or what’s wrong with myself? or who is wrong here? I don’t have a clear answer myself yet. Do you? Have you met similar situations like this? What would you do if you were me?

  • Sam

    Hi Ben,

    I like your website articles and appreciate you encouraging us to ask you our personal finance questions. So, here’s one of mine:

    I have alloated my savings (retirement and investment) among key asset classes – Stock funds, Bond funds, Real estate, and CDs (Cash). Of late, though, I am seeing commodities surging in prices, and many articles urging us to invest in commodities/commodity ETPs.
    When I researched some of the commodity ETFs, I found those to be a bit confusing to understand and also expensive to buy and own (high Expense ratios). I generally don’t buy assets which I do not understand or which are expensive, but I also realize that this alternative investment is generating high returns for investors.
    Do you know of a good way to get the commodity exposure in my long term portfolio, without taking on huge risk and incurring lofty expenses?
    Appreciate your help and thank you for your guidance.
    Keep enlightening us the way you have so far!
    Sam

  • Ellen Harrod

    What is the best way to finance our son’s college education? He is in 10th grade, so college is only two years away and we do not have any money saved.

  • bg

    Hi there.
    Well, my biggest question is where to invest my nest egg I have growing in a low interest place. Need to move it, but not allowed to ask that!

    My next biggest issue is getting a handle on the routine financial issues that matter.
    Like how to pay less taxes – what can I do on a regular basis to alleviate this?
    Keep regular track of my mileage, keep track of client entertainment expenses. What else can I do to reduce taxes?

    Thanks!

  • Felix

    I have invested in a property development company which had good returns that had interest payable on a monthly basis. However, a technicality has arisen and there payments have stopped, and we were duely advised of this problem.

    Is it advisable to keep the money invested in that portfolio and hope things will turn, or perhaps one must just withdraw and look for alternative investment?

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