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Tackling estate planning in 7 basic steps

Estate planning is one of those tasks that makes almost any other job look appealing, no matter how lowly. The good news is that you’ve probably already done a little bit of estate planning—you just may not be aware of it. It’s helpful to think of estate planning as a process rather than something that’s one-and-done and begins and ends in an attorney’s office. Here are seven key steps to take. Estate planning is one of those tasks that makes almost any other job look appealing, no matter how lowly. The good news is that you’ve probably already done a little bit of estate ...

Thoughts on fatherhood: A post-birth dispatch

One year ago, almost to the day, I used this column as a “post-wedding dispatch” to offer some (very) preliminary thoughts on marriage. The column was published five days after my wedding. Now, almost exactly one year later, I am using this column as a “post-birth dispatch” to offer some (very) preliminary thoughts on another milestone life event: fatherhood. Indeed, this column is published seven days after my wife gave birth to our first child, a beautiful baby girl. There is really nothing that can prepare someone for first-time parenthood. And while the burden of caring for ...

The most reliable used vehicles under $15K

When you’re shopping for a used car, truck or SUV on a tight budget, reliability is critical because you don’t have much money to spend on repairs. It’s important to get a vehicle history report and carefully inspect the vehicle for evidence of indifferent maintenance or owner abuse. But it also helps to pick a make and model with a reputation for reliability backed by favorable owner reviews. Edmunds’ experts recommend five used vehicles that offer both, making them a good bet as reliable vehicles that are available for less than $15,000. Buying a reliable used car, truck or ...

Today in History

Today is Thursday, Dec. 26, the 361st day of 2024. There are five days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 26, 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean triggered a tsunami with waves up to 100 feet (30 meters) high, killing an estimated 230,000 people. Also on this date: In 1908, Jack Johnson became the first Black boxer to win the world heavyweight championship as he defeated Canadian Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia. In 1941, during World War II, Winston Churchill became the first British prime minister to address a joint meeting of the U.S. ...

What your favorite a.m. drink reveals about you

Your entire lifestyle can likely be summed up by what you drink in the morning, according to a new study. In a poll of 2,000 American adults, split between 1,000 coffee drinkers and 1,000 matcha drinkers, a number of personality and lifestyle differences — and a few surprising similarities — were observed based on their preferred a.m. beverage. The survey found that if you’re a matcha drinker, you’re more likely to wake up early, prefer outdoor activities, be an ambivert, or have a balance of introvert and extrovert tendencies, and describe yourself as “adventurous” ...

Widow struggles with distant daughter

Dear Annie: I have three children, a son and two daughters. I am a widow, and my family has always been close and caring. My son lives in the same city as I do. He’s very caring and checks on me every day. My daughters live out of town, about two hours away. My oldest daughter and her husband come about once a month. They are very attentive. My youngest daughter has always been very close, and she would come often. She is divorced and has four grown children and five grandchildren. Her former husband was having an affair and she divorced him six years ago. I think the affair took ...