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Barbara Marquand

Barb writes about insurance at NerdWallet. She relishes the challenge of making a complicated topic interesting and easy to understand for consumers. Her work has appeared online at Forbes, The New York Times, USA Today and others. Outside of work, she teaches yoga, makes pottery and runs (slowly) on local trails.

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Posts by Barbara Marquand:
What Is Risk Tolerance, and Why Is It Important?

What Is Risk Tolerance, and Why Is It Important?

Barbara Marquand
Nov. 14, 2018

Here’s one sure thing to know about investing: There is no sure thing. Every investment has some level of risk. The more risk you take, the greater the potential returns…

Read More
Don't Make These Big Life Insurance Blunders

Don’t Make These Big Life Insurance Blunders

Barbara Marquand
Nov. 4, 2018

Life insurance provides a financial safety net for families. Sounds simple, but decisions over whether and how much to buy can get complicated, and mistakes can be costly. Here are…

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questions-before-buying-life-insurance-work-story

Answer 5 Questions Before Buying Life Insurance at Work

Barbara Marquand
Oct. 10, 2018

If your employer offers free life insurance during open enrollment this fall, grab it. But if your workplace lets you buy additional coverage on top of that, ask some questions…

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how-to-choose-a-life-insurance-broker-or-agent

How to Find the Right Life Insurance Agent or Broker

Barbara Marquand
Oct. 9, 2018

When shopping for life insurance a generation ago, you probably would have discussed policies across the desk from a local life insurance agent. Going old-school is still the best option in some…

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retirement-magical-thinking

Don’t Let Magical Thinking Jinx Retirement Planning

Barbara Marquand
Sept. 27, 2018

Money for retirement won’t magically appear, although thinking it will can be comforting. You might put faith in a get-rich-quick scheme, fantasize a windfall, or trick yourself into believing that…

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Can You Have More Than One Life Insurance Policy?

Barbara Marquand
Sept. 17, 2018

You need life insurance if your death would hurt anyone financially. For many people, one policy is enough. But for some, two or more make sense. Your needs should drive…

Read More
be-partners-in-finances-as-well-as-in-life

Be Partners in Finances As Well As in Life

Barbara Marquand
Sept. 4, 2018

In many marriages one spouse likes managing the finances better than the other. Some folks read stock prospectuses for fun; others would rather get a root canal than look at…

Read More
Think Financial Planning Isn't for You? Think Again

5 Wrong Ideas You Might Have About Financial Planning

Barbara Marquand
Dec. 7, 2018

Financial planning is something you might think is for people like that annoying Facebook friend who posts about his awesome Silicon Valley job and fabulous vacations on the Cote d’Azur.…

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How-Couples-Can-Marry-Clashing-Investment-Styles-story.jpg

How Couples Can Marry Clashing Investment Styles

Barbara Marquand
June 19, 2018

No matter how much you and your partner have in common, investing will uncover differences. Maybe one likes playing it safe while the other relishes risk-taking. One wants to invest…

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Your-Credit-Can-Affect-Your-Life-Insurance-Rates-story.jpg

Your Credit History’s Role in Your Life Insurance Rate

Barbara Marquand
June 18, 2018

Your credit history reveals more than whether you’re likely to repay a loan. Insurers see a connection between how you handle credit and your risk of dying early, and some…

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