Sandra Block
Sandra Block, senior editor for Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, has covered personal finance for more than 20 years. In her current role at Kiplinger’s, she covers retirement, taxes and a range of other personal finance issues. She also edits the Ahead section of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine and contributes to Kiplinger’s.com and Kiplinger’s Retirement Report.
Before joining Kiplinger, Sandy was a personal finance reporter and columnist for USA TODAY. During that time, she was a regular guest on CNN, Fox Business News and NPR. Before joining USA TODAY, Sandy worked as a business reporter for the Akron Beacon-Journal, where she covered businesses in northeastern Ohio and assisted in the newspaper’s coverage of the 1995 World Series. While Cleveland lost in six games, Sandy still considers this the highlight of her journalism career.
In her early years, Sandy was a reporter for Dow Jones News Service in Washington, DC, where she covered the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Treasury and the Federal Reserve.
Sandy graduated cum laude from Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia., and was a fellow in the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in Economics and Business at Columbia University. She is co-author of the “Busy Family’s Guide to Money” and “Easy Ways to Lower Your Taxes: Simple Strategies Every Taxpayer Should Know.”
Sandy divides her time between Arlington, Va., and her home state of West Virginia. In her spare time, Sandy is a voracious reader and tries to keep her rescue border collie from getting into trouble.
Latest articles by Sandra Block
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Are Your Bank Deposits Safe?
Recent bank failures unnerved savers about keeping bank deposits safe, but your money is protected — up to certain limits.
By Sandra Block Last updated
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New Rules for Inherited IRAs Could Leave Heirs With a Hefty Tax Bill
Thanks to recent changes in the law on inherited IRAs, your tax bill from any inheritance could be larger than you expect.
By Sandra Block Published
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Right-to-Repair Laws Could Save You Money
States are passing right-to-repair laws that could save you money when it comes time to fix consumer goods like smartphones, and TVs and even farm equipment.
By Sandra Block Published
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How to Cut Your Social Security Taxes
How to Cut Your Social Security Taxes: Many retirees are dismayed to learn that they owe taxes. But you can take steps to minimize the pain.
By Sandra Block Published
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Your Home Value is Appreciating — But So is Something Else
Property tax rates could increase in some jurisdictions to keep up with home price appreciation.
By Sandra Block Published
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Lower Taxes on Required Minimum Distributions
Tax Breaks Congress has given retirees more time to take required distributions from their retirement accounts. But postponing withdrawals could cost you a lot of money.
By Sandra Block Last updated
Tax Breaks -
No Cash? No Problem
More and more Americans have abandoned paper money and coins, but there are risks to using peer-to-peer digital payments.
By Sandra Block Published
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15 States That Tax Military Retirement Pay (and Other States That Don't)
retirement Taxes on military retirement pay vary from state-to-state. How generous is your state when it comes to helping retired veterans at tax time?
By Sandra Block Published
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Minimizing Taxes When You Inherit Money
Financial Planning Some inherited assets are tax-friendly, but under new rules, others come with a hefty tax bill. We help you get the most out of a legacy.
By Sandra Block Last updated
Financial Planning -
Defusing the Retirement “Tax Bomb” with David McClellan
Tax Breaks If you’ve dutifully socked away money in a 401(k) or IRA for years, you could be in for an unpleasant shock when it comes time to take money out of those accounts. Also, the IRS is sending out a surprise round of checks.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Tax Breaks -
Tax Breaks for College Finance with Kalman Chany
Paying for College Paying for (ever-pricier) college is a challenge that this consultant meets head on with highly specific guidance.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Paying for College -
Reading, Writing, and Personal Finance
Raising Money-Smart Kids A growing number of high schools are adding personal finance to their curriculum.
By Sandra Block Published
Raising Money-Smart Kids -
Car-Buying in an Inflated Market with Jenni Newman
Buying & Leasing a Car With cars both scarce and expensive these days, what to do if you want – or need – a new ride? Car-buying strategist Jenni Newman of Cars.com shares some tips. Also, more on the magical 9% savings bond.
By David Muhlbaum Published
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How to Find a Job After Graduation, with Beth Hendler-Grunt
Starting Out: New Grads and Young Professionals Today’s successful job applicants need to know how to ace the virtual interview and be prepared to do good old-fashioned research and networking. Also, gas prices are high, but try a little global perspective.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Starting Out: New Grads and Young Professionals -
Career Advice For New College Grads
career paths Research potential employers, and don’t wear pajama bottoms for Zoom interviews.
By Sandra Block Published
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Is a Recession Coming?
Smart Buying With a lot of recession talk out there, we might just talk ourselves into one. We take that risk with Jim Patterson of The Kiplinger Letter. Also, dollar stores: deal or no deal?
By David Muhlbaum Published
Smart Buying -
Which States' Taxes Are Going Down
Tax Breaks State lawmakers are cutting income, sales and property taxes to return budget surpluses to residents.
By Sandra Block Published
Tax Breaks -
This Couple Tackles Love and Money as a Team
Getting Married Fyooz Financial, the husband and wife team of Dan and Natalie Slagle, have carved out a niche advising other couples with the money questions that come with pairing up. Also, where is this troubled stock market headed?
By David Muhlbaum Published
Getting Married -
Buying Annuities in Your 401(k)
Financial Planning More plans are offering annuities that could provide income in retirement. Here’s what you need to know.
By Sandra Block Published
Financial Planning -
Which Documents to Keep, Which to Shred and Which to Scan
home insurance A speedy recovery from disaster can depend on your recordkeeping. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance writer Rivan Stinson tells us how to get our papers in order.
By David Muhlbaum Published
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Decoding ESG Investing with Ellen Kennedy
Becoming an Investor Environmental, social and governance investing is simpler than it sounds, and has a profitable track record to boot.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Becoming an Investor -
High Gas Prices with The Kiplinger Letter’s Jim Patterson
cars Why are we paying so much more at the pump? How long will it last? What can you do? Plus: Congress is making changes to retirement-savings rules again.
By David Muhlbaum Published
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When Do Living Trusts Make Sense?
estate planning A trust can solve a lot of problems. But like all tools, it can also be misused.
By Sandra Block Published
estate planning -
The 2022 Real Estate Market with Daniel Bortz
Becoming a Homeowner Daniel Bortz doesn’t just write about home sales and housing prices – he’s been in the business. He’ll share insights about the real estate outlook for 2022 and “how-to” tips for both buyers and sellers. Also, the pain of high gas prices.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Becoming a Homeowner