Michelle Singletary

Washington, D.C.

Personal finance columnist

Education: University of Maryland; Johns Hopkins University

Michelle Singletary writes the nationally syndicated personal finance column “The Color of Money,” which appears in The Washington Post on Wednesdays and Sundays. If you have a personal finance question for Singletary, please call 1-855-ASK-POST (1-855-275-7678). Her award-winning column is syndicated by The Washington Post News Service and Syndicate and is carried in dozens of newspapers nationwide. In 2021, she won the Gerald Loeb award for commentary. She has written four personal finance books, including, “What to Do With Your Money When Crisis Hits: A Survival Guide” and “The 21-Day Finan
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Latest from Michelle Singletary

Social Security payments aren’t rising fast enough for most seniors

The annual cost-of-living adjustment parallels a Consumer Price Index for wage earners, which does not fully account for retirees’ health-care costs.

October 9, 2024

You don’t have to refinance your mortgage to cut your interest

You can shave thousands of dollars and years off your home loan if you can swing a bit extra to prepay your principal each month.

October 4, 2024
Here’s what to do if you can’t refinance now that rates have fallen.

Let the port workers’ strike be a lesson to get your finances straight

Benjamin Franklin’s maxims about money can help you before the hard times hit.

October 2, 2024

Mortgage rates are dropping. That doesn’t mean it’s time to buy a home.

The decision to buy must factor in a range of personal and financial factors -- not just rates.

September 27, 2024

10 easy ways to get your financial life in order during your lunch break

Many of these important financial tasks can be done quickly — and make a big difference.

September 25, 2024

Tired of guessing about student loan forgiveness? Here’s what to do.

The political battle over education debt will continue no matter who wins the White House, so if you’re waiting for relief, it’s best to have a backup plan.

September 13, 2024

A ‘gray divorce’ can upend your retirement plans

Who keeps the house? Or pays the credit card bill? You need a financial exit strategy for a breakup at any age.

September 11, 2024

Caring for aging parents can strain everyone’s finances. Plan now.

There’s been a lot of chatter about the state of the U.S. economy on the campaign trail save for one glaring omission

September 6, 2024

Do allowances help children become good money managers? Maybe.

To instill good habits in your kids, it’s important to engage them on how to save and spend wisely — and by modeling smart personal finance practices yourself.

September 4, 2024

The 401(k) millionaires club hit a new record. What’s their secret?

While this elite group benefited from surging stock prices, their gains are markers of steady investing over time and having the patience to ride out the rough patches.

August 30, 2024