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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11 Surprising Things That Are Taxable
Tax Breaks If you picked up any of the income or property on our list, make sure you declare it on your next tax return.
By Sandra Block Published
Tax Breaks -
Bitcoin: Should You Invest? With Tyrone Ross
Becoming an Investor Pretending it’s a fad that will go away didn't work for the internet, and it won’t work for cryptocurrency, either. But there are still so many questions. We’ll field some key ones with an expert who bridges digital currency and traditional financial advising.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Becoming an Investor -
This Hot Housing Market with Daniel Bortz
Becoming a Homeowner Home sales and prices have been on a tear and are forecast to continue to rise in 2021. Whether you're hoping to sell, buy or refi, contributing writer Daniel Bortz has insights for you. Also: What to make of SPACs?
By David Muhlbaum Published
Becoming a Homeowner -
Talking with the Taxpayer Advocate: The IRS Is Under Stress
Financial Planning The pandemic and new stimulus-driven responsibilities are straining IRS resources.
By Sandra Block Published
Financial Planning -
States Eye Higher Taxes for Top Earners
Tax Breaks The tax revenue could close budget gaps, but the measures could drive away mobile workers.
By Sandra Block Published
Tax Breaks -
How the Gig Economy Is Faring, with Kathy Kristof
Employee Benefits As with so many things, the pandemic has had a big effect on side hustles and contract work. We talk with an expert in the field on finding a good gig. Also, there’s a lot of noise about inflation these days.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Employee Benefits -
Max Out Your Stimulus Check with Rocky Mengle
Tax Breaks You probably know you're getting a stimulus check, but did you know you can have an impact on its amount? Senior tax editor Rocky Mengle talks about the moves you can make to upsize your stimulus. Also, will your state raise — or lower — your taxes.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Tax Breaks -
6 Money-Smart Ways to Spend Your Third Stimulus Check
Coronavirus and Your Money If you don't have to use your third stimulus check for basic necessities, consider putting the money to work for you. You'll thank yourself later.
By Sandra Block Published
Coronavirus and Your Money -
New Financial Challenges for Women with Marguerita Cheng
Women & Money The COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying recession have been particularly hard on women, who've lost millions of jobs. Financial planner Marguerita Cheng talks about how she's helping her clients cope. Also: What dad taught us about personal finance.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Women & Money -
Having the Money Talk with Your Parents, with Cameron Huddleston
Financial Planning for Alzheimer's Managing your parents' finances can be a difficult situation. Doing so if you haven't laid down a plan for how to do it is worse.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Financial Planning for Alzheimer's -
Love and Money with Financial Planner Mari Adam
Getting Married Financial planner Mari Adam helps couples work together to have a good relationship with each other – and their finances. Also, some twists for 2020 tax filing and gadgets that can help when the power goes out.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Getting Married -
Student Loans: Pay Down or Hold Pat?
Paying for College Before you tell your lender you want to resume payments, consider whether there are better uses for your money.
By Sandra Block Published
Paying for College -
The Case for Indexed Annuities
Financial Planning These products may offer better returns than traditional fixed-income investments. But there are trade-offs.
By Sandra Block Published
Financial Planning -
Biden Puts New Cops on the Money Beat
Business Costs & Regulation President Biden has nominated well-known watchdogs to head agencies that regulate the financial sector.
By Sandra Block Published
Business Costs & Regulation -
Why Pay Money to File Your Taxes?
Tax Breaks Far more people could be filing their federal returns for free; maybe even their state taxes. Also, the latest from Brandon Copeland and the not-so-secret perks of stock ownership.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Tax Breaks -
How 13 Types of Retirement Income Get Taxed
retirement When you're planning for retirement, it's fun to contemplate all the travel and rounds of golf ahead of you, but don't forget about taxes.
By Joy Taylor Published
retirement -
Unpacking the GameStop Blowup with Kyle Woodley
Markets Senior investing editor Kyle Woodley breaks down the latest short squeeze and its broader implications. Also, General Motors says it’s going all-electric—so, what will fuel your next car?
By David Muhlbaum Published
Markets -
Handling Taxes and Insurance When Working from “Home”
Tax Breaks Working remotely in a new state, maybe even a new country? That can lead to complications, particularly when it comes to taxes. Also: why the IRS is starting tax season late this year, and a check-in on student loan policies in the new administration.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Tax Breaks -
There's Still Time to Save on 2020 Taxes
Tax Breaks The tax code didn’t change last year, but just about everything else did. We’ll guide you to a lower tax bill.
By Sandra Block Published
Tax Breaks -
Kiplinger’s Best Values in Tax Software, 2021
Tax Breaks We ranked the most popular tax-prep packages to help you find the ones that provide the best experience at the lowest cost.
By Rocky Mengle Published
Tax Breaks -
Taxes on Retirees — What’s New?
Budgeting In this episode of Your Money's Worth, senior tax editor Rocky Mengle talks about the latest update of the Kiplinger Retiree Tax Map. Will states with declining revenues make life harder on retirees? Also, the Biden stimulus plan and the hazards of patent scams.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Budgeting -
The Financial Aid Form Gets a Makeover
Paying for College Starting with the FAFSA available for filing in October 2022, the number of questions will be reduced from 108 to 36.
By Sandra Block Published
Paying for College -
Jim Patterson on The Kiplinger Letter’s 2021 Forecasts
Economic Forecasts What to expect from the U.S. economy, the new Congress and next administration, as well as the outlook for bitcoin, self-driving trucks and more.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Economic Forecasts -
Is a Fix Coming Soon for Social Security?
Smart Buying Social Security has funding problems that the COVID-19 pandemic has made worse. What are the prospects for the next Congress and administration doing something about it?
By David Muhlbaum Published
Smart Buying