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
Share confidential news tips with The Post
Latest from Michelle Singletary

Teachers get a pitiful $50 tax deduction bump for supplies for 2022

Inflation has now increased the tax deduction for educators for the first time in 20 years.

August 12, 2022

House rich, cash poor: Why a home-equity loan may not be a good idea

The increase in home equity wealth is expected to spur a record amount of home-improvement spending. Here are the pros and cons of tapping into that money.

August 10, 2022

Your free credit scores don’t tell the whole story

Equifax said a coding error resulted in a credit score shift of 25 points or more for thousands of consumers.

August 5, 2022

Should you use retirement money to pay off credit card debt?

Credit card debt is increasing, and it’s expensive. But don’t raid your retirement accounts to pay it off unless there truly is no other choice.

August 3, 2022

Mega Millions or mama’s money, here’s how to manage a windfall

With inflation and interest rates up and the U.S. economy shrinking, a sudden windfall can be a welcome financial relief. Six tips for managing sudden wealth.

July 29, 2022
  • Perspective

Where do you stand financially? Get a score on this quiz — and our advice.

Recession, inflation, mortgage rates and gas prices: Answer these questions to see how these major economic factors will impact your life.

July 27, 2022

    Inflation: How you can beat it — or even benefit from it

    As inflation sees its biggest annual rise in 40 years, take advice from the experts about how to beat inflation or even benefit from it.

    July 26, 2022

    The FBI says it busted a big crypto Ponzi scam. It just got bigger.

    No evidence of investment activities to support the promised returns were found.

    July 22, 2022

      6 key things to know about inflation-indexed bonds paying 9.62 percent

      The inflation-indexed Series I savings bonds are red hot right now. Here are key things to know about buying them for yourself — and your kids.

      July 20, 2022

      Inflation is soaring. Time to rethink your emergency savings.

      Americans should reassess their emergency savings strategy as inflation soars.

      July 15, 2022