Quentin Fottrell
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Irishman in New York. Managing Editor, Advice Columns @MarketWatch. Created The Moneyist. Former Ireland correspondent for @DowJones/@WSJ
Articles by Quentin Fottrell
My abusive ex-husband promised $20,000 for our kids' education. Now he refuses to pay. Is he legally obligated?
Dear Quentin, I have a question about an inheritance intended for my two teenage daughters. Their father and I are divorced, and the divorce was far from amicable. Our relationship was abusive and involved financial abuse, and the financial disputes have continued since our separation. Before our divorce, my former mother-in-law entrusted him with $20,000 for each of our daughters to invest on their behalf and help pay for their college education.
My husband wants to sell our $1.5 million home and downsize. But this is where we raised our kids - and I can't bear to leave.
By Quentin Fottrell 'He wants to buy something for $600,000 now that we are empty-nesters' "We have another $1.8 million in retirement accounts and savings, plus Social Security." (Photo subjects are models.) Dear Quentin, I'm 67, my husband is 69, and we've been married 38 years. We've lived in the same four-bedroom colonial for 32 of those years. It's paid off and worth $1.5 million.
My wife cried when I found out she had only $80,000 in her 401(k). I have $2.2 million. Am I wrong to be shocked?
Dear Quentin, I'm 64 and my wife is 61. We've been married 28 years, with two grown kids, three grandkids and a paid-off house outside Columbus, Ohio. I'm an engineering director making $190,000, and between my 401(k), an IRA and a brokerage account, I have about $2.2 million. I figured we'd both be done working in three years or so.
'Just watch Judge Judy': I'm in my 70s. Why do people keep making the same avoidable financial mistakes?
By Quentin Fottrell 'Consider some familiar examples of poor decisions: accumulating credit-card debt or failing to plan for retirement' "Consider some familiar examples of poor decisions: refusing vaccines, accumulating credit-card debt, failing to plan for retirement or make a will." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, Between my own experiences over 70 years and those of others, including you, it is clear that history is a great teacher.
‘Just watch Judge Judy’: I’m in my 70s. Why do people keep making the same avoidable financial mistakes?
I recognize that when we are inside the problem, it's sometimes hard to see the instructions on the jar. - MarketWatch illustration There is a big chasm between total accountability and navigating life on life's terms. I share your overall philosophy, up until a point. Surprisingly, perhaps, I don't often feel the same frustration you express in your letter when I read a letter where someone walks into a disastrous financial crisis.
My abusive ex-husband promised $20,000 for our kids’ education. Now he refuses to pay. Is he legally obligated?
My abusive ex-husband promised $20,000 for our kids’ education. Now he refuses to pay. Is he legally obligated?
My abusive ex-husband promised $20,000 for our kids' education. Now he refuses to pay. Is he legally obligated?
By Quentin Fottrell 'Before our divorce, my former mother-in-law entrusted him with $20,000 for each of our daughters to invest on their behalf' "When I asked him about the money after the divorce, he denied that it had ever existed, despite the text message confirming that it had been set aside for the girls." (Photo subjects are models.) Dear Quentin, I have a question about an inheritance intended for my two teenage daughters.
‘You need only watch episodes of Judge Judy’: I’m in my 70s. Why do people keep making the same avoidable financial mistakes? Original
‘You need only watch episodes of Judge Judy’: I’m in my 70s. Why do people keep making the same avoidable financial mistakes?
'You need only watch episodes of Judge Judy': I'm in my 70s. Why do people keep making the same avoidable financial mistakes?
By Quentin Fottrell 'Consider some familiar examples of poor decisions: accumulating credit-card debt or failing to plan for retirement' "Consider some familiar examples of poor decisions: refusing vaccines, accumulating credit-card debt, failing to plan for retirement or make a will." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, Between my own experiences over 70 years and those of others, including you, it is clear that history is a great teacher.
My wife has only $80,000 saved for retirement. I have $2.2 million. Am I wrong to be shocked?
Dear Quentin, I'm 64 and my wife is 61. We've been married 28 years, with two grown kids, three grandkids and a paid-off house outside Columbus, Ohio. I'm an engineering director making $190,000, and between my 401(k), an IRA and a brokerage account, I have about $2.2 million. I figured we'd both be done working in three years or so.
We stopped helping our neighbors with free home repairs and our friendship cooled. Who’s to blame?
Quentin Fottrell Mon, October 26, 2026 at 7:00 AM EDT 9 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Add Yahoo on Google "They brought over a bottle of wine after the tree was removed, which was kind, though it was a $9 bottle for a job that would have cost them several hundred dollars." (Photo subject is a model.) - Getty Images/iStockphoto Dear Quentin, My husband and I have lived in the same house for 23 years.
My wife has only $80,000 saved for retirement. I have $2.2 million. Am I wrong to be shocked?
I’m 64 and my wife is 61. We’ve been married 28 years, with two grown kids, three grandkids and a paid-off house outside Columbus, Ohio. I’m an engineering director making $190,000, and between my 401(k), an IRA and a brokerage account, I have about $2.2 million. I figured we’d both be done working in three years or so.
My wife has only $80,000 saved for retirement. I have $2.2 million. Am I wrong to be shocked?
By Quentin Fottrell 'When I brought up retiring last spring, she said she was ready whenever I was, and I took that to mean we were in good shape' "I worry about health insurance before Medicare, inflation and long-term care." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, I'm 64 and my wife is 61. We've been married 28 years, with two grown kids, three grandkids and a paid-off house outside Columbus, Ohio.
My partner of 17 years left me his $1 million home. His children are livid. Am I obliged to split it with them?
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We stopped helping our neighbors with free home repairs and our friendship cooled. Who's to blame?
Dear Quentin, My husband and I have lived in the same house for 23 years. Our next-door neighbors have been in theirs for 19 years, and for most of that time we thought of ourselves as friends rather than just neighbors. They might have been better off than we are, or not. Either way, that really never bothered us. We socialized together from time to time. We had different priorities and used to joke about it: they liked going on cruises, and we had never been on one.
We stopped helping our neighbors with free home repairs and our friendship cooled. Who’s to blame?
‘I don’t feel sorry for myself’: I’m 64 and will be renting for the rest of my life. Is that so bad?
We stopped helping our neighbors with free home repairs and our friendship cooled. Who's to blame?
By Quentin Fottrell 'Last summer, they complained about needing to replace their roof. A few months later, they bought a new SUV.' "They brought over a bottle of wine after the tree was removed, which was kind, though it was a $9 bottle for a job that would have cost them several hundred dollars." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, My husband and I have lived in the same house for 23 years.
My partner of 17 years left me his $1 million home. His children are livid. Am I obliged to split it with them?
By Quentin Fottrell 'I never paid rent, although I put $45,000 toward a new kitchen and a roof' "I liked them, and they were always respectful of my role in their father's life." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, My late partner, "Daniel," kept the radio on a classical music station all day, and he was a keen gardener. He was a romantic at heart, and yet he never once asked me to marry him. We didn't need to.
My husband wants to sell our $1.5 million home and invest the proceeds. But this is where we raised our kids — and I can’t bear to leave.
A Sentimental 67-Year-Old Homeowner I agree with your husband. I agree with you. Honestly, it's a tough call. - MarketWatch illustration Take the pantry door with you when you go. Joking aside, I think that's an idea worth exploring. Take whatever has sentimental value to your new home.
My husband wants to sell our $1.5 million home and invest the proceeds. But this is where we raised our kids — and I can't bear to leave.
Dear Quentin, I'm 67, my husband is 69, and we've been married 38 years. We've lived in the same four-bedroom colonial for 32 of those years. It's paid off and worth $1.5 million. We have another $1.8 million in retirement accounts and savings, plus Social Security and a small pension from his old job. No debt, and our kids are on their own. So this isn't a money problem, but we can't talk about retirement anymore without it turning into a fight.
My husband wants to sell our $1.5 million home and invest the proceeds. But this is where we raised our kids — and I can’t bear to leave.
My spouse was awarded $90,000 from my 401(k) in our divorce. How is that fair?
My husband wants to sell our $1.5 million home and invest the proceeds. But this is where we raised our kids - and I can't bear to leave.
By Quentin Fottrell 'He wants to buy something for $600,000 now that we are empty-nesters' "We have another $1.8 million in retirement accounts and savings, plus Social Security." (Photo subjects are models.) Dear Quentin, I'm 67, my husband is 69, and we've been married 38 years. We've lived in the same four-bedroom colonial for 32 of those years. It's paid off and worth $1.5 million.
‘She’s living the dream’: My stepmother said I can buy my childhood home for $850,000. Is she taking advantage of me?
Am I being unreasonable? The Stepson You can't force someone to sell you a house that never legally belonged to you. - MarketWatch illustration Don't allow steam from your stepsister's sauna to cloud your vision. You can grieve the loss of your childhood home without assigning blame. What's more, you can't force someone to sell you a house that never belonged to you in the first place. Your childhood home, legally and morally, belonged to your father.
My spouse was awarded $90,000 from my 401(k) in our divorce. How is that fair?
"Earlier in my career, while I was still working, I went through another divorce. I was able to replenish the funds distributed from my retirement plan on a pretax basis." (Photo subject is a model.) - Getty Images/iStockphoto I retired in 2020 and subsequently went through a divorce a few years later. As part of the division of assets, approximately $90,000 was awarded to my ex-spouse from my 401(k). Is this normal, and does that kind of arrangement sound fair to you?
My spouse was awarded $90,000 from my 401(k) in our divorce. How is that fair?
Dear Quentin, I retired in 2020 and subsequently went through a divorce a few years later. As part of the division of assets, approximately $90,000 was awarded to my ex-spouse from my 401(k). Is this normal, and does that kind of arrangement sound fair to you? Earlier in my career, while I was still working, I went through another divorce. I was able to replenish the funds distributed from my retirement plan on a pretax basis, in addition to making my regular contributions.
My father-in-law, 81, sold his $75,000 home to pay his daughter's $50,000 debt. How can I keep him from becoming destitute?
By Quentin Fottrell 'Nothing has been set aside for his needs' "I can see a very real possibility that my husband and I will eventually be expected to step in and provide financial support." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, My 81-year-old father-in-law sold the family home in July for $75,000. For context, this is in a small town in Illinois, and the house was purchased in 1972 for approximately $7,500. Will he owe capital-gains taxes on the sale when he files his taxes next year?
She's living the dream: My stepmother said I can buy my childhood home for $850,000. Is she taking advantage of me?
Dear Quentin, My late father bought our house for $250,000 in the 1990s. By the time he died, it was worth about $850,000, mostly because it's spacious and in a good neighborhood. He left it to my stepmother, whom he married a few years after my mom died. She is now 74. They were together for 18 years. She took care of him through the whole illness, which I don't take lightly. Dad told me more than once that the house would be mine someday. My stepmother now wants to sell and move somewhere smaller.
'She's living the dream': My stepmother said I can buy my childhood home for $850,000. Is she taking advantage of me?
By Quentin Fottrell 'My late father bought our house for $250,000 in the 1990s' "She said if my dad wanted me to have it, he should have arranged that before he died." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, My late father bought our house for $250,000 in the 1990s. By the time he died, it was worth about $850,000, mostly because it's spacious and in a good neighborhood. He left it to my stepmother, whom he married a few years after my mom died. She is now 74. They were together for 18 years.
My spouse was awarded $90,000 from my 401(k) in our divorce. How is that fair?
This market signal just occurred for only the second time since 1999. Here’s what happened and what it means.
My spouse was awarded $90,000 from my 401(k) in our divorce. How is that fair?
By Quentin Fottrell 'I retired in 2020 and subsequently went through a divorce a few years later' "Earlier in my career, while I was still working, I went through another divorce. I was able to replenish the funds distributed from my retirement plan on a pretax basis." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, I retired in 2020 and subsequently went through a divorce a few years later. As part of the division of assets, approximately $90,000 was awarded to my ex-spouse from my 401(k).
We have a $300,000 mortgage with a 2.75% interest rate. I want to pay it off. My husband says I'm crazy. Who's right?
Dear Quentin, I'm 57 and my husband is 59. We've been married 26 years, and our two kids, 24 and 27, support themselves. We bought our house in 2003 for $410,000, and it's now worth about $720,000. We owe $300,000 at 2.75%, with a payment of $2,150 a month. We both work. I make $135,000 a year and he makes $165,000. We have about $1.5 million in 401(k)s and IRAs, plus $400,000 in savings, Treasury bills and short-term investments.
My father-in-law, 81, sold his $75,000 home to pay his daughter’s $50,000 debt. How can I keep him from becoming destitute?
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My partner of 17 years left me his $1 million home. His children are crying foul. Am I obliged to split it with them?
By Quentin Fottrell 'I never paid rent, although I put $45,000 toward a new kitchen and a roof' "I liked them, and they were always respectful of my role in their father's life." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, My late partner, "Daniel," kept the radio on a classical music station all day, and he was a keen gardener. He was a romantic at heart, and yet he never once asked me to marry him. We didn't need to.
My father-in-law, 81, sold his $75,000 home and paid off his daughter's $50,000 debt. What happens to him now?
Dear Quentin, My 81-year-old father-in-law sold the family home in July for $75,000. For context, this is in a small town in Illinois, and the house was purchased in 1972 for approximately $7,500. Will he owe capital-gains taxes on the sale when he files his taxes next year? Taking this a step further, he paid off all of his own bills and then paid off $50,000 of my sister-in-law's debt. I'm also curious about the potential tax implications for her as well.
My father-in-law, 81, sold his $75,000 home and paid off his daughter’s $50,000 debt. What happens to him now?
Oil is now flowing out of the Persian Gulf like before the Iran war. Why prices may still not come down anytime soon.
My father-in-law, 81, sold his $75,000 home and paid off his daughter's $50,000 debt. What happens to him now?
By Quentin Fottrell 'Nothing has been set aside for his needs' "I can see a very real possibility that my husband and I will eventually be expected to step in and provide financial support." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, My 81-year-old father-in-law sold the family home in July for $75,000. For context, this is in a small town in Illinois, and the house was purchased in 1972 for approximately $7,500. Will he owe capital-gains taxes on the sale when he files his taxes next year?
We have a $300,000 mortgage with a 2.75% interest rate. I want to pay it off. My husband says I’m crazy. Who’s right?
He called that an emotional decision. I told him peace of mind is a legitimate financial goal. Now he says he's worried that if we can't agree on something this basic, we won't be able to retire together. Am I being foolish to want to pay off a 2.75% mortgage? Exhausted Spouse Agree to overpay your mortgage each month using some of your savings if you really want to get the outstanding balance down upon retiring.
My partner of 17 years left me his $1 million home. His children say I influenced him to do so. Should I share my inheritance?
His daughter pointed out that I drove him to the lawyer's office. I made the appointment because he asked me to. She says I should have insisted one of the children come. I thought that would have insulted a grown man. I don't think any of them are bad people. They're grieving. They lost their father and the house they grew up visiting at the same time. They've asked me to sell and split the proceeds four ways. They call it fair. But I was his family, too.
‘I don't feel sorry for myself': I'm 64 and will be renting for the rest of my life. Is that so bad?
Dear Quentin, As the renter in his 50s pointed out ( I lost my home in the ‘Great Recession.' I rent in my 50s. Why is that judged as failure? ), some ill-timed circumstances can change our financial futures in unexpected ways. I am a renter in my 60s. I left a bad relationship in my 40s, just before the recession hit. As house values fell, my ex ended up buying me out with a small sum. I married a wonderful man with a good income.
We have a $300,000 mortgage with a 2.75% interest rate. I want to pay it off. My husband says I’m crazy. Who’s right?
In the battle for AI supremacy, China is only six months behind the U.S — but that means it’s winning, says former Google CEO
'I don't feel sorry for myself': I'm 64 and will be renting for the rest of my life. Is that so bad?
By Quentin Fottrell 'I married a wonderful man with a good income. He left his job due to health issues and suffered a massive stroke at 53.' "I'm not complaining and not feeling sorry for myself." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, As the renter in his 50s pointed out (I lost my home in the 'Great Recession.' I rent in my 50s. Why is that judged as failure?), some ill-timed circumstances can change our financial futures in unexpected ways. I am a renter in my 60s.
I receive 10 calls a day promising me $15,000 loans at 8% interest. Are these legitimate offers?
By Quentin Fottrell 'They insist that the details will be provided after they have carried out a soft credit check' "The callers refuse to disclose fees upfront." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, I keep receiving unsolicited calls offering me loans that I have never applied for. Some callers offer up to $15,000 at 8% interest, but the callers refuse to disclose fees upfront.
We have a $300,000 mortgage with a 2.75% interest rate. I want to pay it off. My husband says I'm crazy. Who's right?
By Quentin Fottrell 'I don't want to enter retirement owing six figures when we have the cash to clear it' "Last year, he bought a stock because someone at his gym called it the next Nvidia." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, I'm 57 and my husband is 59. We've been married 26 years, and our two kids, 24 and 27, support themselves. We bought our house in 2003 for $410,000, and it's now worth about $720,000. We owe $300,000 at 2.75%, with a payment of $2,150 a month. We both work.
'I don't feel sorry for myself': I'm 64 and will be renting for the rest of my life - but here's why I'm still hopeful
By Quentin Fottrell 'Ill-timed circumstances can change our financial future in unexpected ways' "I'm not complaining and not feeling sorry for myself." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, As the renter in his 50s pointed out (I lost my home in the 'Great Recession.' I rent in my 50s. Why is that judged as failure?), some ill-timed circumstances can change our financial futures in unexpected ways. I am a renter in my 60s. I left a bad relationship in my 40s, just before the recession hit.
My partner of 17 years left me his $1 million home. His children are crying foul. Am I obliged to split it with them?
The stock market is splitting in two. Is that signaling trouble ahead, or just a new set of winners?
My partner of 17 years left me his $1 million home. His children say I influenced him to do so. Should I share my inheritance?
By Quentin Fottrell 'I never paid rent, although I put $45,000 toward a new kitchen and a roof' "I liked them, and they were always respectful of my role in their father's life." (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Quentin, My late partner, "Daniel," kept the radio on a classical music station all day, and he was a keen gardener. He was a romantic at heart, and yet he never once asked me to marry him. We didn't need to.
My unmarried partner of 17 years left me his $1.1 million home. His children are crying foul. Should I share my inheritance?
Dear Quentin, My late partner, “Daniel,” kept the radio on a classical music station all day, and he was a keen gardener. He was a romantic at heart, and yet he never once asked me to marry him. We didn't need to. I never thought it was a requirement to get married to satisfy other people's social conventions, especially later in life. I was 51 and he was 59 when we met, both of us divorced and both (somewhat) wary. Marriage didn't come up, and that suited us.
‘I don’t feel sorry for myself’: I’m 64 and will be renting for the rest of my life — but here’s why I’m still hopeful
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‘I don’t feel sorry for myself’: I’m 64 and will be renting for the rest of my life — but here’s why I’m still hopeful
"I'm not complaining and not feeling sorry for myself." (Photo subject is a model.) - Getty Images/iStockphoto As the renter in his 50s pointed out (I lost my home in the 'Great Recession.' I rent in my 50s. Why is that judged as failure?), some ill-timed circumstances can change our financial futures in unexpected ways. I am a renter in my 60s. I left a bad relationship in my 40s, just before the recession hit. As house values fell, my ex ended up buying me out with a small sum.
‘I don’t feel sorry for myself’: I’m 64 and will be renting for the rest of my life — but here’s I’m still hopeful
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