A lot of It’s Only Money’s wise readers e-mailed with questions and comments following Jan. 3rd’s column on the special opportunities converting retirement accounts to Roth IRAs this year. Here’s many of them, along with It’s Only Money’s best responses:

Gary wrote:

Regarding the Roth IRA conversion, are you sure that you can split and distribute the “taxable income” to one’s 2011 and 2012 returns?   I was told that ALL of the conversion would be taxed on the 2010 return but that “payment” of those taxes would be on an installment plan payable in 2011 and 2012.

IT’S ONLY MONEY is surer of that than it is the Trail Blazers winning an NBA title this year. But Full Article…

Trying to advocate for yourself once you’ve been admitted to a hospital is practically impossible. If you are lucky enough to have a family member who knows the ins and outs of hospitals and health insurance, you can focus on getting better. If you don’t, the hospital social worker will go toe-to-toe on your behalf with hospital staff, administration, insurance companies, etc. They are experienced and knowledgeable, and it’s their job to help you at a time when you cannot help yourself.

The same holds true for a sick or injured person with a disability insurance claim who is not getting the right treatment from the disability insurance company. You need to focus on getting better and taking care of yourself.

Full Article…

U.S. Mortgage Refinancing Applications Rose in the First Week of 2010.

Posted on | January 17, 2010 |

It seems like only yesterday that we were hearing about Option ARM Mortgage rates resetting, and that holders of those loans were unable to refinance because their house was worth less than the mortgage…. Oh, wait… it was yesterday.

Well, even so, things appear to be confusing in the housing market and mortgage industry still.

According to a recent Reuters article, the rise in mortgage applications the 1st week of this year is a reflection on the demand for refinancing loans. Dem

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Complacency causes breakdown cover calls and accidents. Drivers should make sure their vehicles are safe and get suspected mechanical faults looked at to avoid needing to call on breakdown cover or having an accident.

Research from road safety organisation Brake and insurer Direct Line revealed that 42% of drivers admit they have got behind the wheel of a vehicle with at least one serious fault in the last year.

The defects included broken lights and indicators, poor tyre treads and pressures, incorrect oil or water levels and faulty braking systems.

Some 73% of the motorists surveyed confessed their vehicle’s brakes are only checked at annual MOTs and 84% of drivers did not know how worn they were at the time of this inspection.

“This research shows a shockingly low level of knowledge and concern among drivers when it comes to the safety of their vehicle, particularly ‘out of sight, out of mind’ components such as brakes which are so safety-critical,” said Mary Williams OBE, chief executive of Brake.

Recent snow and ice means checking a vehicle for faults or damage is even more important if an accident or breakdown is to be avoided. Full Article…

Do you ever feel like you’re uninspired in the kitchen? I’ve written about getting into a food rut before, but this is a constant challenge that all home cooks face from time to time. Food ruts can be dangerous, because it’s easy to start relying on convenience foods and restaurants to fill the void – and there goes the food budget.

One of my goals for 2010 is to try at least one new recipe each week. So far, I’ve been exceeding my goals. I’m so excited about trying new recipes that I’ve been making 2-3 new things each week. I’m still i

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