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

5 myths about Social Security as the program faces a funding crisis

The federal government hasn’t “raided” the Social Security Trust Funds.

May 10, 2024

Social Security has to be fixed. But you still need your own savings.

With Congress in no hurry to act, Americans are concerned about the financial stability of Social Security.

May 8, 2024
Social Security isn’t bankrupt, but fixing it will cause some pain.

An I bond is now at 4.28 percent. Are they still a good deal?

The new fixed rate is 1.30 percent, the highest level since 2007.

May 3, 2024

Use these 6 points to say no to a college you and your kid can’t afford

Any smart decision starts with leaving emotion out of it, especially when finances are involved.

May 1, 2024

How this new rule protects retirement savers from costly advice

The Labor Department has moved to ensure more financial professionals are obligated to act in the best interest of clients.

April 26, 2024
A Labor Department fiduciary rule aims to protect retirement investors.

Borrowers, don’t miss this important student loan forgiveness deadline

Some people carrying education debt may qualify for credit or forgiveness of their loan through a Department of Education initiative. Here’s what you need to know.

April 24, 2024

Keep these 10 financial documents forever. Scan and shred the rest.

Always hold onto birth certificates and Social Security cards, but it’s okay to cast off those old bank statements.

April 19, 2024

Spring-clean your financial life with these 7 tips

It’s a great time to purge paper and passwords, close old accounts, and rethink your hefty tax refunds.

April 17, 2024

IRS Commissioner Werfel talks about Direct File, audits and IRS budget

The agency’s leader says it has identified the problems with its algorithm that have led to a racial disparity in audits of Black taxpayers.

April 12, 2024
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel sits for a portrait at the tax agency's headquarters in D.C. on April 2.

    Are you ready to buy a house? Take our quiz and find out.

    Owning a house is how many Americans accumulate wealth, but affording one is a growing challenge. Should you buy a home right now? Take this quiz.

    April 12, 2024