My Abusive Marriage Destroyed Me -- and My Finances
Everyone talks about the physical aspect of domestic abuse, but thereĀ's more to it. Leslie Morgan Steiner's ex-husband left her not only battered, but nearly bankrupt.
Divorce
How a Single Mom of Three Scrapes by on a $40,000 Salary
A single mom of three shares the sacrifices she has to make and the contortions she has to undertake to make ends meet on her slim $40,000 salary, plus child support.
Barbara Piasecka Johnson: The Maid Who Launched 1,000 Prenups
You may not recall Barbara Johnson, who died this week at 76. But her rags-to-riches tale blazed the way for women like Anna-Nicole Smith, Ivana Trump and Kimora Lee Simmons.
'Do We Need a Prenup?' Why You Really Should Discuss It
To many couples, following a romantic marriage proposal with a pragmatic discussion about a prenuptial agreement feels like you're predicting a divorce. But the conversation can have real benefits for the health of your union and your finances.
Lies and Debt Situations: When Couples Keep Money Secrets
Financial counselors aren't marriage counselors, but when it comes to couples' spats over hidden debt and secret spending, they're often helping people deal with some heavy emotional baggage along with the hefty credit card bills.
10 Things You Must Know About Social Security
Many Americans will make Social Security the bedrock of their retirement plan, but there's more to the benefit than having a birthday and signing up to get your checks. Here are 10 essentials you need to know to get all the money you're entitled to out of the Social Security system.
No Man, More Money: Five Women Who Thrived After Divorce
Recent female divorcees are twice as likely to live at or below the poverty line as their male counterparts, a Spectrem Group study reports. But there are plenty of people who refuse to be bound by such stereotypes: These five women learned to whistle a far different -- and richer -- tune after their marriages ended.
Don't Let Divorce Destroy You at Tax Time
Divorce is one of the hardest things you may ever go through. But while you're focused on your now-adversarial relationship with your ex, you shouldn't forget to keep an eye on another entity that may be after a larger chunk of your assets thanks to your split: The IRS.
Listen Up, Ladies: Tips for Closing the Financial Gender Gap
When it comes to their finances and retirement plans, women need to be better prepared and better organized than men. But as a group, they're actually falling behind in money management and investing. Here's how to start changing that.
Single Retirement Tips: How to Prepare for a Solo Old Age
When it comes to the problems that arise in old age, married retirees can usually rely on their spouses for support. But for singles, handling the golden years can be more problematic. Here's a rundown of how to be ready:
Could Signing a Prenup Make Your Relationship Stronger?
It's awkward to think about planning for how your marriage may end when it hasn't even begun. But as unromantic as a prenuptial agreement may seem, it can actually help you make your marriage more successful.
On Your Own: How to Manage the Finances of Single Retirement
Between battles over Social Security, disappearing pensions, and faltering 401(k)s, the path to a secure retirement is tenuous at best. And for many of us, there will be an extra complication: facing old age solo.
Same-Sex Spouses Still Tripped Up By Financial, Legal Tangles
Due to the Defense of Marriage Act, there are fundamental conflicts about same-sex marriage between state and federal laws -- and between states -- that create double worlds for gay marrieds in nearly every area of their financial lives.
The Real Reason to Adjust Your Tax Withholding
If you just got a big tax refund, most experts will say you'd be better off adjusting your withholding. But lately, that traditional advice hasn't really applied.
How to Get Your Ex to Help Fund Your Retirement
If you're divorced, your ex-husband or ex-wife might still be able to help you feather your nest in retirement. And there's at least one former-spouse benefit you won't need to go to court to get access to: payments based on their Social Security earnings record.