Ask Kim

Dear Kim,  My husband passed away unexpectedly 3 months ago.  We did not have any children, and I’m now working to readjust some of my accounts. We previously had our accounts held jointly, and I didn’t have to worry about beneficiaries.  What… Read more »

Dear Kim,  I’ve been divorced for over two years now, after 21 years of marriage.  It took me the first year after divorce to realize that I was finally free from my former husband’s controlling tendencies. I feel like I’m a new… Read more »

Dear Kim,  I’m widowed, 63 years old, and have two adult sons, ages 36 and 33.  They are each married and have full-time jobs.  One of my sons, however, has a child who has major medical issues, and the cost of special… Read more »

Dear Kim,  My husband passed away last year at the age of 60. I’ve finally worked through all of the financial changes that happened after losing his income and getting all of my benefits in place. At the age of 58, I… Read more »

Dear Kim, I’m 32 years old and getting married for the first time.  My mother went through a financially harsh divorce with her second husband while I was a teenager, so I’ve seen how marriages can end and leave a woman in… Read more »

Dear Kim,  I’m in the middle of divorce negotiations with my husband of 22 years.  He is offering a lump sum settlement instead of ongoing spousal support.  What are the financial questions I need to ask/consider before taking any further steps in… Read more »

Dear Kim,  My parents both passed away a year ago. I am an only child.  In the midst of settling their estate and selling their property, my spouse filed for divorce.  He had been supportive during my parents’ illnesses, but I recently… Read more »

Dear Kim,  My daughter is 16.  My ex-husband pays child support, but that support is scheduled to end in 18 months when my daughter turns 18 and graduates high school. I’m re-evaluating my budget with this upcoming loss of support while also… Read more »

Feb 3. 2025 (2 PM ET) Over the weekend, the Trump administration placed tariffs on imported goods from several key US trading partners including Mexico (25%), Canada (25%, except energy imports which receive a 10% tariff), and China (10%). Canada has already… Read more »

Dear Kim, The new year is finally here, and one of my resolutions (besides spending more time hiking and less time watching Netflix) is beginning to devote time to planning for my retirement. I turn 55 in April, and I plan to… Read more »

Dear Kim, Merry Christmas Kim! I have a two-part question for you as 2024 winds down. I realized that I haven’t taken the time to maximize my catch-up contributions to my IRA and 401k plans. I think I have until December 31st… Read more »

Dear Kim, Since Thanksgiving is next week I wanted to first thank you for all your sage and thymely (pun intended) advice. Although we have two incomes, with two kids and a third one on the way, money can be tight. As… Read more »