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. Her award-winning column is syndicated by The Washington Post Writers Group and is carried in dozens of newspapers nationwide. She has written three personal finance books, including her latest, “The 21-Day Financial Fast: Your Path to Financial Peace and Freedom.” Singletary was the financial expert for “The Revolution,” a daytime program on ABC. For two years, she was host of her own national television program, “Singletary Says,” on TV One. She is a frequent contributor to various NPR programs and has appeared on national talk shows and television networks, including “Oprah,” NBC’s “Today,” “The Early Show on CBS” and CNN. In her spare time, Singletary is the director of a ministry she founded at her church, in which women and men volunteer to mentor others who are having financial challenges. As part of this ministry, she and her husband also volunteer to teach financial literacy to prison inmates. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park. She has received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Johns Hopkins University, where she earned a master’s degree in business and management. To stay informed about various money issues subscribe to Michelle’s weekly retirement and personal finance newsletters, which will be delivered to your inbox every Monday and Thursday.

What you need to do to get the third stimulus payment of up to $1,400

A third round of checks is coming for millions of Americans. Here's the answers to some frequently asked questions about economic relief.

Mar 8, 2021

Personal Finance
Perspective

Netflix series asks couples with up to $35,000 saved: ‘Marriage or Mortgage’? You know where I stand.

A wedding planner and a real estate agent compete to see whether engaged couples will pick a pricy wedding or use the funds they've saved as a down payment on a home.

Mar 5, 2021

Personal Finance
Perspective

The IRS paid $3 billion in interest to taxpayers because it failed to get refunds out on time

Even before coronavirus-related delays, the IRS has been paying out increasing amounts of money to taxpayers in interest on delayed refunds.

Mar 2, 2021

Personal Finance
Perspective

With vaccinations underway, the economy needs consumers to spend again. But don’t, if you have debt.

As more people get vaccinated many may end up doing some "revenge spending."

Feb 26, 2021

Tax Season 2021: Your tax and stimulus payment questions and more answered

This FAQ addressed top issues from taxpayers for the 2021 tax season. People still aren't sure about the taxability of the stimulus payments or whether they can take a home-office deduction.

Feb 23, 2021

Personal Finance
Perspective

The IRS says it’s done sending out stimulus payments. Anyone still waiting should claim it on their 2020 tax return.

The IRS is done sending out stimulus payments. If you haven’t gotten your money don’t wait for the check to come in the mail. You’ll have to file a 2020 tax return.

Feb 19, 2021

Answering your 2021 tax questions with Post columnist Michelle Singletary

Post columnist Michelle Singletary and tax expert Eric Bronnenkant will take your questions on the 2021 tax season.

Feb 18, 2021

Personal Finance
Perspective

Another reason not to opt for a tax refund loan: It may delay your next stimulus payment

Cut out the middle man and avoid these tax preparation products.

Feb 16, 2021

Personal Finance
Perspective

Tax season 2021: A tornado is coming

With two — potentially three — sets of stimulus payments and an overworked IRS staff dealing with all those extra demands, plenty could go wrong with tax season this year. Here's a preview.

Feb 12, 2021

To claim your stimulus payment, look for Line 30 on your 1040 tax form

From tax professionals to do-it-yourself software, all eyes will be on Line 30 of IRS Form 1040.

Feb 9, 2021

About Michelle Singletary

Michelle Singletary writes the nationally syndicated personal finance column The Color of Money, which appears in The Washington Post on Wednesdays and Sundays. Her award-winning column is syndicated by The Washington Post Writers Group and is carried in dozens of newspapers nationwide. She has written three personal finance books, including her latest, “The 21-Day Financial Fast: Your Path to Financial Peace and Freedom.” Singletary was the financial expert for “The Revolution,” a daytime program on ABC. For two years, she was host of her own national television program, “Singletary Says,” on TV One. She is a frequent contributor to various NPR programs and has appeared on national talk shows and television networks, including “Oprah,” NBC’s “Today,” “The Early Show on CBS” and CNN. In her spare time, Singletary is the director of a ministry she founded at her church, in which women and men volunteer to mentor others who are having financial challenges. As part of this ministry, she and her husband also volunteer to teach financial literacy to prison inmates. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park. She has received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Johns Hopkins University, where she earned a master’s degree in business and management. To stay informed about various money issues subscribe to Michelle’s weekly retirement and personal finance newsletters, which will be delivered to your inbox every Monday and Thursday.