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Michelle Singletary

@michellesingletary.bsky.social
2K followers 239 following 273 posts

Washington Post personal finance columnist www.washingtonpost.com/people/miche… 2022 Lifetime Achievement Loeb Awards winner | Author, What to Do with Your Money When Crisis Hits and 21 Day Financial Fast

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Reposted by Michelle Singletary
Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety @autosafety4all.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
To lease or not to lease? Wise advice for car shoppers from @michellesingletary.bsky.social about how to avoid getting trapped in a cycle of debt. @consumerfed.bsky.social @nclc4consumers.bsky.social @seiu1021.bsky.social @nationalnurses.bsky.social #cars #loans #leasing #scams wapo.st/4pEsDmF
wapo.st
Column | I tell people never to lease cars — except in this scenario
If you’re determined to lease, it might be a better option than being upside-down on a car loan.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
I will let you know when the time comes. Easiest way will be The Washington Post website (no subscription required)
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
✨️IT'S HAPPENING✨️ I am so excited to announce that I'll be hosting my own podcast! FINALLY! This has been a long time coming for myself and for many of you who have asked me to do this throughout the years. Tell everyone to follow me now so no one misses the premiere. Will you be listening?
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Reposted by Michelle Singletary
Penelope Wang @pennywriter.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
"The much-touted 'Trump accounts' are supposed to give the next generation a huge financial head start in life. But by age 18, the reality looks less like a fortune and more like a down payment on a new car." via @michellesingletary.bsky.social 🎁🔗 wapo.st/4phmAnV
wapo.st
Column | The new Trump accounts for kids aren’t the financial boon the president claims
Grab the free money, but don’t expect legacy wealth.
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Reposted by Michelle Singletary
Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety @autosafety4all.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
GREAT reporting by @michellesingletary.bsky.social about the pitfalls of falling into car buying traps set by greedy car dealers & predatory auto lenders. Among other harms -- over-paying for a car can cost you the ability to afford a home. @consumerfed.bsky.social wapo.st/3TCbDl5
wapo.st
Column | More people have a $1,000 car payment. Here’s how it traps you.
The average financed new-vehicle purchase rose to an all-time high of $44,156 in the second quarter, and payments are sapping people’s ability to build wealth.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
TODAY is your last chance to file for your right to any potential refund from the IRS. youtube.com/shorts/193hB...
youtube.com
Last chance to sign up for a potential pandemic-era tax refund
YouTube video by Michelle Singletary
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Yay! I love feedback from listeners.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Here's a FREE LINK to help spread the word wapo.st/4eRYwoc
wapo.st
Column | Missing this July 10 deadline could cost you an IRS tax refund
If you paid IRS penalties or interest between 2020 and 2023, this deadline applies to you.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
FREE LINK wapo.st/4eRYwoc
wapo.st
Column | Missing this July 10 deadline could cost you an IRS tax refund
If you paid IRS penalties or interest between 2020 and 2023, this deadline applies to you.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
URGENT ‼️ You could be owed a refund from the IRS. (No, this isn't a scam!) A little-known decision — Kwong v. United States — centered on how the IRS handles tax filing and payment deadlines during a national disaster. Here's how to file for yours. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Column | Missing this July 10 deadline could cost you an IRS tax refund
If you paid IRS penalties or interest between 2020 and 2023, this deadline applies to you.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Trump Accounts, a new federal savings plan for children, went live over the weekend. Is an account right for your family? Thank you for having me on a busy weekend @cnn.com and Fredricka Whitfield!
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Reposted by Michelle Singletary
James Neal @james3neal.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
"According to a joint warning from the FBI and the U.S. Postal Service, check fraud is skyrocketing. Federal data shows that reports of check fraud nearly doubled from 350,000 in 2021 to 680,000 in 2022" @michellesingletary.bsky.social wapo.st/4vjQFpk
wapo.st
Column | Why mailing a paper check has become so risky
Criminals use chemicals to “wash” away the recipent's name and dollar amount, and then rewrite the check to themselves.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Better late than never!
a social media post that reads "Had I listened earlier in my life to folk like Dave Ramsey and Michelle Singletary, and acted on their advice, my savings and finances would be much better than it is now!"
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Has the importance of thank you cards been lost on younger generations?
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
And if you receive a gift, always...ALWAYS...send a thank you note.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
In all cases, you can fulfill your social obligation by sending a nice, handwritten card. A note that says, “Congratulations on this great achievement, and wishing you the absolute best in your next chapter!” is polite and appropriately honors their hard work.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Casual Connections (acquaintances) If you open an envelope or a text message from someone with only a passing relationship, and your immediate reaction is, “Why am I getting this?” it may be a gift grab. Feel free to ignore it if there is no meaningful connection.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Outer Circle (distant relatives and peripheral friends) If you receive an announcement from a cousin you haven’t seen in a decade, an old neighbor or a friend you only keep up with via social media updates, a gift is absolutely not necessary.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Inner Circle (close family and friends) I would give a gift to anyone in this circle, especially if you are invited to a graduation party. The amount is up to your relationship with the graduate and your budget. Don't feel pressured to give more than you can afford.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Received a lot of graduation announcements this year? Here's my official etiquette guide for when to give a gift to the grad and when not to 🎓 🧵
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
‘Boomerang kids’ are the new normal. 44% of U.S. parents with adult children ages 18 to 35 say a child has moved back home at some point, according to a recent poll by Thrivent. Here's how to cohabitate without resentment. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Column | ‘Boomerang kids’ are the new normal. Here are the financial ground rules.
How to set expectations around paying rent and more for adult children newly living at home.
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Reposted by Michelle Singletary
booswax 🪷 🇺🇸 @missbeeswax.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social at WaPo writes a personal finance column and also tries to connect the dots to macro issues Example: nationalpress.org/topic/coveri...
nationalpress.org
Covering Inflation's Crushing Impact on Women's Retirement Security - National Press Foundation
A panel of experts explore AARP survey data highlighting how the gender gap and caregiving woes are crushing older women's retirement security. But will it impact the outcome of mid-term elections?
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
The bank shut down an 83-year-old widow's credit card and told her to reapply. Then they rejected her application. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Column | The bank shut down this widow’s credit card. Here’s the advice I gave her.
Establishing a credit history is doable, in just a few steps.
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Reposted by Michelle Singletary
Penelope Wang @pennywriter.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Trump is obsessed with his image and pageantry while seeming to ignore the financial struggles of a growing swath of Americans. That's bridezilla behavior. via @michellesingletary.bsky.social 🎁 wapo.st/3PKLsqX
wapo.st
Column | Trump’s bridezilla approach to Americans’ financial struggles
Trump is the ultimate bridezilla, who doesn’t care how the celebration impacts guests.
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Reposted by Michelle Singletary
Beth Pinsker, CFP ® @bethpinsker.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
“My Mother’s Money” is this month’s Color of Money book Club selection from @michellesingletary.bsky.social I’m so honored! www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Column | Managing a parent’s money is the hardest job you never applied for
This book can help you prepare for and manage a role that many of us will be asked to fill at some point in our lives.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
My loyal readers have heard me talk about my Big mama for years. I hope you enjoy this deeply personal look at just how influential she truly was to me. Happy Mother's Day! www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Column | Why being abandoned by my father was my best Mother’s Day inheritance
I’ve been reflecting on the last conversation I had with my biological father before he died of cancer.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
When you leave a job, your employer doesn’t have to keep your 401(k) savings in its plan if it’s below a certain amount. No surprise that many people take the cash. This leakage amounts to significant dollars left on the floor. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Column | You could be losing thousands every time you change jobs
The hassle of shifting money from one retirement account to another often results in people undermining their savings efforts and goals.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Always a good weekend when I'm on @cnn.com. Today's message: Don't beat yourself up if you haven't started saving for retirement. But start doing the work now. Your future self will thank you.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Well-deserved! Congratulations!
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Do the high gas prices make you want to buy a new car? Before you trade-up, consider all of the costs of having an EV or hybrid. That includes how much you owe on your current car. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Column | Even with $4 gas, upgrading to a more efficient car might not save you money
Don’t turn high gas prices into a “nearly $50,000 problem,” one expert warns.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Have you filed your taxes yet? For most taxpayers, the federal tax deadline to file returns or request an extension is April 15. Do you have any lingering questions about your taxes? Reply, DM, or email ColorOfMoney@washpost.com. Look for my Q&A session with a tax expert coming very soon!
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Yes! Email me at ColorOfMoney@washpost.com
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Okay, okay. I asked for your unhinged penny-pinching techniques so it's only right if I share mine. My husband was not happy when I did this. (But we laugh about it now!) www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Column | The day I ran out of gas chasing a deal, and other extreme saving hacks
As gas prices compound affordability issues, many people are going to want to reassess their budgets. But some hilarious frugal habits may take things too far.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Rising costs may have you considering new ways to save money. But can you be too cheap? I’ve heard some pretty extreme stories over the years, like the reader who would reuse tea bags three time! Tell me your wackiest money-saving story. You may be featured in my next column or on my social media.
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Reposted by Michelle Singletary
National Press Foundation @nationalpress.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Personal finance columnist @michellesingletary.bsky.social joins the panel on women over 50, money matters & their midterm vote. Sign up for this free webinar April 9, 1-2 p.m. ET us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/31…
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Reposted by Michelle Singletary
lapsu.bsky.social @lapsu.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Good reminder that Tupac was right then and he's still right today. "He cited Donald Trump... as emblematic of a “gimme, gimme, gimme” culture ..." The enduring truth of Tupac’s 'money for wars, but can’t feed the poor' by @michellesingletary.bsky.social www.msn.com/en-us/news/p...
msn.com
MSN
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
If you're using a tax preparer, always ask for a final copy of your return and carefully review it for inaccuracies. Read my latest column for examples of how each of these scams can look www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Column | How a shady tax preparer’s practices can lead to costly IRS trouble
Investigators found widespread fraud and incompetence in the tax prep industry. Here’s how to spot if your preparer is putting you at risk with shady practices.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
4)They ask you too sign a blank return You are legally responsible for the accuracy of the information on your return, regardless of who filled it out. So, don’t sign a blank tax return. A preparer who encourages you to do so probably wants to hide that your refund is being inflated.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
3)They're making up side hustle losses Inflating business expenses is a common tactic used by unscrupulous preparers to offset your taxable income and increase the amount of your refund. If a preparer fabricates business deductions, you’ll be the one held responsible.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
2)Their fee is based on your refund amount Never hire a preparer whose fee is tied to the size of your refund. This creates an incentive for them to falsify your return to inflate the total.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
1)They're refusing to sign your return By law, any paid preparer must sign your return and include their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). If you are asked to sign as “self-prepared,” that’s a huge red flag that the person is trying to avoid accountability.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Unregulated tax preparers are costing the federal government billions of dollars in improper claims and leaving YOU on the hook for their fraud. Here are some signs that your tax preparer may be up to something shady 🚩
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Did you know that two-thirds of Gen Xers are living paycheck to paycheck? They also have the highest average credit card debt ($9,600) and student loan balance ($44,240). For Gen Xers worried about ever being able to retire, read "Retirement Bites." www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Column | Gen Xers are facing a new era of economic instability
Global conflict and a shaky economy are fueling financial anxiety. This month’s Color of Money Book Club pick offers Gen Xers a map to secure their retirement.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
FREE LINK to my Sunday column on war-proofing your budget
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
War-proof your budget with these 4 steps www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Column | How to war-proof your budget before regular gas hits $4 a gallon
As the Iran conflict leads to rising gas prices, these tips can help you save money and maintain some budget predictability.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
My colleague Danielle Douglas-Gabriel did an excellent job creating a database of nearly 1,000 colleges and universities that offer free tuition programs. Share it with the young scholar in your life wondering if the cost of college is worth it. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
washingtonpost.com
More colleges are offering free tuition. Explore our database.
Explore our database of nearly 1,000 colleges and universities that offer free tuition programs.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
I help a lot of people with their budgets but I don't go item by item and tell them what not to spend their money on. Only you know which items are a necessity. If a $7 cup of coffee is going to keep you from slapping a coworker and getting fired, by all means, spend that $7 on a cup of coffee.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
As Black History Month comes to a close, I would like to share my interview with Congressman Jim Clyburn. His book, The First Eight, tells the story of the first Black Congressmen from South Carolina whose policies shaped American politics www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTsb...
youtube.com
The Black Congressmen who shaped a nation
YouTube video by Washington Post
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Reposted by Michelle Singletary
Jill Lawrence @jilldlawrence.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
"'I am somebody,' a voice boomed from the stage...I have never forgotten that day when the Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke life into me...His words pushed me to overcome the feeling of being unwanted." Incredibly powerful 5th-grade remembrance from @michellesingletary.bsky.social. Gifted 🎁 wapo.st/4cxEYoe
wapo.st
Column | How the Rev. Jesse Jackson taught me to keep hope alive
I am somebody because the reverend told me I was. And I believed him.
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Michelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
If you would like to support the people who are facing a job loss, consider giving to the union-run GoFundMe. All money raised will go directly to laid off employees. www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
gofundme.com
Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund
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