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Will an inheritance hurt our chances for college financial aid?
Our kids are 10 and 16. We expect to inherit $200,000, which we need for retirement. Can we still get financial aid for college? — Name withheld
Yes — but it'll be iffy the year after you receive the windfall. You'll have to list the money as income on the FAFSA aid form (even though it's not counted as income on your taxes). And since the aid formulas weigh income far more MORE
Jun 22, 2012 5:05 PM ETPosted in: Family Money, Retirement -
If the builder didn't fully disclose the terms, can I back out of buying the home?
We were buying a home, but the builder didn't disclose the limits on renting. Can we get our deposit back? —L.Y., Allen, Texas
Yes, if time and paperwork are on your side. A rental limit set by a builder or homeowners association is material information that a seller is obligated to disclose, says San Antonio attorney Bryan Woods. If you never got the applicable covenants, conditions, and restrictions, you should be able MORE
Jun 20, 2012 9:00 AM ETPosted in: Real Estate -
Can I refinance my car loan?
How do I go about refinancing my car loan at a rate lower than I pay now? —Laura E., Bismarck, N.D.
First, check for obstacles. Does your loan have a prepayment penalty? Do you owe more than your car is worth? (Estimate its value at kbb.com; if your loan balance is bigger, prepare to pay the difference in cash when refinancing.) Then, for a sense of the rate you might obtain, get MORE
Jun 19, 2012 5:05 AM ETPosted in: Credit
Got a question about your money? We want to hear it! Each week we're answering your questions on CNN, Headline News and CNNMoney.com.
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Hurt by low interest rates, retirees should consider steering their portfolios beyond bonds, according to Rob and Tom Fross at Fross & Fross Wealth Management. Play -
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Home staging is the process of renovating your house to increase its value and sell it faster. Play -
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