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
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Latest from Michelle Singletary

Tired of guessing about student loan forgiveness? Here’s what to do.

The political battle over education debt will continue no matter who wins the White House, so if you’re waiting for relief, it’s best to have a backup plan.

September 13, 2024

A ‘gray divorce’ can upend your retirement plans

Who keeps the house? Or pays the credit card bill? You need a financial exit strategy for a breakup at any age.

September 11, 2024

Caring for aging parents can strain everyone’s finances. Plan now.

There’s been a lot of chatter about the state of the U.S. economy on the campaign trail save for one glaring omission

September 6, 2024

Do allowances help children become good money managers? Maybe.

To instill good habits in your kids, it’s important to engage them on how to save and spend wisely — and by modeling smart personal finance practices yourself.

September 4, 2024

The 401(k) millionaires club hit a new record. What’s their secret?

While this elite group benefited from surging stock prices, their gains are markers of steady investing over time and having the patience to ride out the rough patches.

August 30, 2024

Your money and your mental health can suffer under a bully boss

Businesses also pay dearly when they allow bad situations to fester, and the toll is not just financial.

August 28, 2024

Dividing assets in your will can split siblings. Here’s how.

You aren’t entitled to other people’s money, even your parents’ assets.

August 23, 2024

A credit freeze or fraud alert? One offers better protection from a hack.

National Public Data, the latest company to report a major data breach, tells consumers to protect themselves by taking “preventive measures.”

August 21, 2024
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I don’t lend money to family. There’s a better way to help.

It’s good to step in when there’s a real need, but rescuing someone from their own poor money management only reinforces it.

August 16, 2024

Couples don’t share a credit score, and other myths debunked

Marriage won’t change your credit history, but it can influence what lenders are willing to do for you together.

August 14, 2024