Dear Reader,
Every week I count on you to send your thorniest money questions my way.
And once again, you certainly delivered.
Some themes from my inbox in 2022:
Got a burning money question?
Here arethe biggest money secretsthat can help you stop wasting precious funds and get your finances back on track.
Check back on Wednesdays and Sundays to see if I answered your letter.
Thanks for reading and for trusting me with your most perplexing money questions.
Cheers to a prosperous 2023!
Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week.
This is a long list, so dont get overwhelmed.
Well keep it updated as offers changes or expire.
These were the 10 most popular Dear Penny columns of 2022.
Can I Stop My Ex-Wife From Claiming Half My Social Security?
Dear Penny,
I was married 22 years.
The marriage ended in 2002.
When my ex-wife retires, will I be able to collect half of her Social Security?
If so, how do I go about that?
I am 61; she is 62 now.
Also, would she be able to come after half of my Social Security?
How can I prevent the latter?
(I earned less than she did.)
Did you know?
you might Get Paid Up to $140/Month Just for Sharing Your Honest Opinion
-R.
Read Dear Pennys responsehere.
Do I Have to Pay Moms Debt With My $1M Life Insurance Payout?
My mom passed away last year with lots of debt in her estate.
All proceeds from those claims are now deposited into my own personal accounts as the sole beneficiary.
The entire contents of her estate amounted to around $5,000 of personal belongings.
At this time the house has gone through foreclosure, including all the furnishings and personal belongings left inside.
I also havent filed any of her tax paperwork for the prior year for her final taxes.
I have already asked two attorneys, but both of them have simply said that I can walk away.
But I have some reservations in doing so, as it just does not feel normal.
Can My Deadbeat Son Fight My Decision to Disinherit Him?
I am 73 and have one son who is unmarried and lives in the same town.
I also have five siblings.
I am very close to my youngest sister, who is on disability.
I paid my home off two years ago, and I have some 401(k) savings.
I owe no money to anyone.
I have a $10,000 life insurance policy I put in my sons name.
Can he fight my decision in court to get the money and house after I pass on?
-L.
4.
Am I Responsible for My New Husbands Secret $200K Debt?
I am 59 and was recently married.
I just learned he is in debt for over $200,000.
As of right now, all of our financial stuff is separate.
If he passes away, am I responsible for his debt even though it was acquired before our marriage?
Also, are we better off filing our taxes separately?
-M.
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5.
I Cant Afford a Divorce Lawyer.
Am I Stuck With My Wife Forever?
I will have been married for 30 years in July 2022.
My wife and I havent been intimate in over 10 years.
Were both 58 years of age.
I havent been in love with her for almost half our marriage.
Ive told her for the last 10 to 12 years that I want a divorce.
Ive been disabled since close to the end of 2016.
My disability is more in my severe depression and my migraine headaches.
Stress usually causes my migraine headaches.
When my dad died, my siblings and I received an inheritance of about $100,000.
My inheritance money paid off our house.
Im afraid if I proceed with divorce that Im going to be homeless.
My wife and I do not have any more children living with us.
I honestly cannot stand to be around her anymore.
When she speaks to me, her voice drives me nuts.
I just dont want her to say anything to me.
Penny, I dont know if Im asking you for advice or really what Im doing.
I cry almost every day because Im so sad and alone.
I honestly dont know what to do with myself.
I dont want to be homeless, but I dont want to be sad and alone anymore.
Can you give me advice on what I need to do, like?
-E.
6.
Was I Wrong to Give My Daughters College Fund to a Relative?
I pointed out that many people were coerced into student loan debt.
She said they should grow up and support themselves.
This was quite ironic coming from a twentysomething who lives at home rent-free.
To teach her a lesson, I tried to charge her rent.
When she didnt pay, I threatened to kick her out, but she knew I didnt mean it.
Can I Kick Out My Boyfriend if Were in a Common Law Marriage?
I am in a bit of a mess and have no idea what I should do.
My boyfriend and I have been dating for about seven years.
Last year we decided to buy a house and finally move in together.
Therefore, the house is under my name alone.
After moving in, we bought a car.
Six months later, our relationship isnt doing so well.
We constantly fight, and it has gotten to the point where I have seriously considered ending the relationship.
I dont want to stay in a toxic relationship, but I also cant afford to end it.
Does he have a claim to the house under common law marriage?
What can I do about the debt I cant afford on my own?
I feel like such a failure.
c’mon help!
L.
8.
My Best Friend Died.
Is Her Husband Liable for Her Secret Debt?
My best friend was recently killed by a drunk driver.
Im helping her husband sort everything out, and weve discovered she was hiding credit card debt.
She also had several student loans he didnt know about.
His name wasnt on any of it.
Is he liable for these debts?
-Picking Up the Pieces
9.
Should My Husband Refuse to Pay $600 for His Moms Cremation?
My 72-year-old mother-in-law passed away last month.
She had cancer, and, sadly, it took her very quickly.
The problem is that my in-laws live in Britain, where my husband is from.
His whole family still lives there.
My husband has lived in the U.S. for 27 years.
My one brother-in-law and his wife arranged everything for my father-in-law.
Money is tight for us so we could only arrange for my husband to go.
The ticket cost around $450.
My husband took $300 with him to cover meals and his share of the funeral meal.
While he was there, he took out his dad and then his dad, brother and his family.
The crematorium holds the ashes until the bill is paid.
My husband is a little frustrated at this.
Neither spent a fraction of what my husband spent to get there.
We dont know what to do.
We dont have the money immediately to pay.
We can save, but it will take a couple of months.
In the meantime, my father-in-law awaits my mother-in-laws ashes, and its causing a rift in relationships.
Can we tell them it will take a few months to save?
Or can we tell them we just cant afford it?
-Frustrated at Funeral Costs
10.
He refuses to pay for anything for our child.
Not school supplies, clothes, classes, or birthday and Christmas gifts.
He will even avoid me when I have a go at talk to him about it.
I never have money because I pay bills also and pay for everything for our child.
What should I do?
-T.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
Send your tricky money questions to[email protected].
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