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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A View of Life After the Pandemic
savings Among the forecasts: The work-from-home trend will last, and we’ll welcome more robots.
By Sandra Block Published
savings -
4 Legal Documents Everyone Needs on Hand
retirement Filling these four documents out now will make sure you and your loved ones are on the same page, literally.
By Sandra Block Published
retirement -
How to Find a Financial Planner You Trust
Financial Planning Use our road map to find an adviser who will truly look out for your best interests.
By Sandra Block Published
Financial Planning -
Retirees Get a Break on IRA Distributions
retirement The IRS is expected to come out with additional guidance, but here’s what we know so far.
By Sandra Block Published
retirement -
The Long-Term Cost of Stimulus Spending
Economic Forecasts Heavy borrowing already on the books before the crisis hit will make the recovery even tougher.
By Sandra Block Published
Economic Forecasts -
Is a Second Stimulus on the Way?
Making Your Money Last Kiplinger.com tax editor Rocky Mengle chats with hosts Ryan Ermey and Sandy Block about what may or may not be included in a second round of economic stimulus legislation. Plus, the pair fills you in on prepaid stimulus debit cards, new FSA rules and a technical indicator to assess market rallies.
By Sandra Block Published
Making Your Money Last -
Coping with Loss of Healthcare Coverage
spending Families USA’s Cheryl Fish-Parcham joins our hosts Ryan Ermey and Sandy Block to discuss how folks can find medical coverage in the face of job loss. Also, the pair share ways to avoid a new wave of ID theft and talk credit reports and tax software in a new edition of Deal or No Deal.
By Sandra Block Published
spending -
Which Rewards Credit Card Is Right for You?
credit & debt Kiplinger's contributing editor Lisa Gerstner joins our hosts Ryan Ermey and Sandy Block to chat about the best rewards credit card picks for every type of spender. Also, the pair offers tips on how to navigate the housing market right now.
By Sandra Block Published
credit & debt -
The Outlook for Dividend Stocks Right Now
investing SimplySafeDividends.com's Brian Bollinger joins our hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey to discuss what the months ahead hold for income investors. Also, the pair chats about highlights from the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholder meeting.
By Sandra Block Published
investing -
How Retirees Can Protect their Portfolios
Financial Planning Take these steps to help your retirement savings withstand the bear.
By Sandra Block Published
Financial Planning -
9 Ways to Raise Cash Quickly
savings The $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package is providing a $1,200 check for millions of Americans.
By Sandra Block Published
savings -
Interest Rates at Zero
credit & debt Bankrate.com's Greg McBride joins our hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey for a discussion on the repercussions of a prolonged period of low interest rates. The pair also recommends mutual funds that hold up during down markets.
By Sandra Block Published
credit & debt -
What Do Negative Oil Prices Mean?
Economic Forecasts With oil prices having dipped into negative territory, S&P Global Platts's Vito Turitto joins our hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey to break down exactly what's going on. Also, the cohosts give an update on stimulus checks.
By Sandra Block Published
Economic Forecasts -
Is Your State Prepared for a Recession?
Economic Forecasts The Kiplinger Letter's managing editor Jim Patterson joins our hosts Ryan Ermey and Sandy Block to break down the ramifications for states that aren't equipped to handle the upcoming recession. The pair also discusses bear market investing strategies.
By Sandra Block Published
Economic Forecasts -
Navigating Financial Hardship in the Coronavirus Era
Making Your Money Last CreditCards.com's Ted Rossman joins our hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey to discuss what people can do to help mitigate financial hardship during the global pandemic. Also, the pair explains new tax breaks for charitable giving.
By Sandra Block Published
Making Your Money Last -
FAQs About Your Stimulus Check Answered
Tax Breaks Kiplinger.com tax editor Rocky Mengle joins hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey to break down everything you need to know about your stimulus check. Also, the hosts discuss whether you should book airline tickets and answer reader questions about RMDs.
By Sandra Block Published
Tax Breaks -
Don’t Fall for Pandemic Cons
Scams Scammers are stealing money with phishing schemes, fake remedies and inflated prices on products that are in demand.
By Sandra Block Published
Scams -
The Pandemic Gives Borrowers a Break on Rates
credit & debt Low rates reduce the cost of mortgages and other loans.
By Sandra Block Published
credit & debt -
Money Moves to Make Right Now in the Wake of the Coronavirus Outbreak
savings Physician and certified financial planner Carolyn McClanahan joins our hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey to discuss smart financial strategies in these uncertain times. Also, the pair delves into smart ways to spend your stimulus check.
By Sandra Block Published
savings -
Does Your Health Insurance Cover the Coronavirus Test?
insurance Our hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey discuss what your health insurance may or may not cover during the coronavirus pandemic. Also, the pair breaks down market basics to keep in mind amid market volatility and strategies for raising quick cash.
By Sandra Block Published
insurance -
Income Tax Returns and Payments Extended
income tax The IRS has pushed back the April 15 tax return filing and tax payment deadline to help Americans struggling with the coronavirus crisis.
By Sandra Block Published
income tax -
Coronavirus Fears Suppress Student Loan Interest Rates
interest rates The plunge in interest rates could reduce borrowing costs for students who take out federal loans for the 2020-2021 academic year—and their parents could get a break, too.
By Sandra Block Published
interest rates -
What to Know About the New FICO Score
credit & debt Credit expert Gerri Detweiler joins our hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey to talk about how the new FICO scoring system could affect your credit score. Also, the pair explains the history of bear markets and why you need to tax-diversify your retirement accounts.
By Sandra Block Published
credit & debt -
How to Invest Amid Coronavirus Panic
investing Kiplinger.com senior investing editor Kyle Woodley joins hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey to discuss risk-mitigating market strategies in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Also, the pair highlight virus-related scams to be aware of.
By Sandra Block Published
investing