Robin Hartill

The Penny Hoarder • 26th July 2020

Dear Penny: I Got Laid off at 62. Should I Retire and Take Social Security?

I turned 62 right when the first Covid shutdowns were happening, and guess what I got as a birthday present: a layoff. Should I start collecting Social Security now or hope for a miracle in this terrible job market?

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 6th April 2020

Dear Penny: If my boyfriend is my dependent, do I get his coronavirus cash?

Her boyfriend is her dependent, but she won't get any coronavirus stimulus money for him by claiming him on her taxes.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 5th January 2020

Dear Penny: My boyfriend won’t tell me how much he owes. Can I pull his credit?

DEAR PENNY — My live-in boyfriend tells me to mind my own business when I ask him how much debt he has. We share a laptop. I think I could pull his credit report. Should I?

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 6th December 2019

Dear Penny: I don’t owe anyone money ... but I also don’t have a credit score

If you don't use credit for 24 months or more, you could become "credit invisible," meaning you won't have a credit score.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 6th December 2019

Dear Penny: I’m a broke law student. How do I catch up on bills?

DEAR PENNY — I'm a law student with $1,350 worth of monthly bills and $200 to my name. I can't change my financial aid. What can I do?

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 18th November 2019

Dear Penny: I helped my daughter buy a car and now she won’t make payments

When your name is on the car loan but the title is in your kid's name, you're the one who's on the hook for payments.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 11th November 2019

Dear Penny: I’m 55 with no savings or life insurance. What are my options?

When you're in your 50s with no retirement savings, building a nest egg will almost always take precedence over buying life insurance.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 4th November 2019

Dear Penny: I want to retire. My wife says not yet. How do I convince her?

Having a plan for your time is just as important as having a plan for your money as you approach retirement — and it's always best when you and your spouse see eye to eye on these plans.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 3rd November 2019

Dear Penny: I Just Got a Balance Transfer Offer. Is It Too Good to Be True?

A balance transfer card can save you a lot of money, but only if you avoid accruing more debt.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 3rd November 2019

Dear Penny: How can we cure our finances with $100K in medical debt?

Negotiating with hospitals and providers is usually your best option when you're hit with large medical bills you can't afford.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 3rd November 2019

Dear Penny: I’ve paid off my business credit card for 11 years. What gives?

A business credit card typically won't show up on your personal credit reports, so if you're looking to build your own credit, you need a plan B.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 3rd November 2019

Dear Penny: Should we use our emergency savings to pay for a new roof?

A new roof isn't an emergency expense if it's expected and you have plenty of time to replace it.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 19th October 2019

Dear Penny: A heart attack put me in debt and now I can’t get out

When you're overwhelmed by debt you can't afford to repay, try talking to someone you trust to prepare for the difficult conversations ahead.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 27th September 2019

Dear Penny: Will bad credit kill my chances of landing my dream job?

If your prospective employer will find negative information when they pull your credit report, it's best to be upfront about it.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 27th September 2019

Dear Penny: How do I pay back $80K in student loans on a $42K salary?

Tackle student debt by enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans first, then use the savings to focus on private student loans.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 11th September 2019

Dear Penny: I’ve paid down $22K of debt. Why doesn’t my credit score show it?

Think getting rid of debt will save your credit score? The truth is, not all debt is equal in the world of FICO scores.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 11th September 2019

Dear Penny: I’m a single mom making $60K a year. How can I retire at 45?

Sorry, but the math just doesn't work out for most people who want to retire in their 30s and 40s.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 30th August 2019

Dear Penny: Should I Invest My $10K Savings or Use It to Pay Off Debt?

Cash doesn’t do much in the way of earning interest, but you need it as a lifeline in case of an emergency.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 19th August 2019

Dear Penny: I Just Graduated. Now How Do I Tackle My Student Loans?

Oh the places you'll go — and the loans you'll owe! Some advice for recent college grads who are about to start paying off their share of America's $1.4 trillion student loan balance.

Florida's favorite paper, Tampa Bay's favorite local news site • 12th August 2019

Dear Penny: I have credit card debt, but I seriously need a vacation

Mathematically, it makes sense to pay off your credit cards before you take a vacation — but life is so much more than a mathematical equation.