Your Money: Closing down a life

August 17, 2026

	By Ron Lieber

Hi everyone —

There is so much to do when close friends and family die. And then — after the funeral but long before the grief fades away — there is the matter of their personal finances, defined broadly.

Over the years, we’ve heard so many stories of how hard it is for the responsible parties to close accounts, access money and do everything from move frequent-flier miles to figure out what to do about the dead person’s Facebook page.

We’re working on a project that should make this a lot easier for people, and we’re seeking your help. If you’ve been through this, what do you wish that you’d known ahead of time about what to do and how? And what do you wish the person whose life you were closing down had done ahead of time to make it easier for you? As ever, we’re at yourmoney_newsletter@nytimes.com.

Below is a list of money features that we’ve run recently. Have a good week.

An illustration of a red house inside a bell jar as a man walks away with a rolling suitcase and a dog.

Thomas Fuchs

your money adviser

How to Avoid a Freezer Meltdown and Other Perils When You’re on Vacation

Store food in sealed containers and fix any leaking faucets or pipes, experts told our columnist, who had her own nightmare upon returning home.

By Ann Carrns

At a gas station, a person refuels a car while watching the pump’s display.

As Inflation Eats Up Pay Gains, Workers Fall Behind

When prices spiked in 2021-22, wages failed to keep up for many workers, new research shows. Now the pattern is repeating.

By Ben Casselman

Unexpected Drop in U.S. Retail Sales as Shoppers Feel the Squeeze

The data for July showed the biggest drop in more than a year, as American households face the economic strains brought on by persistent inflation

By Kim Bhasin

Inflation Eased Slightly in July, but Prices Remain Elevated as War Drags On

Though energy prices fell last month after their spring surge, other factors pushed up costs as the Fed considers raising interest rates.

By Lydia DePillis

Consumer Debt Data Shows ‘Overall’ Health Amid Persisting Divides

Homeowners with low fixed-rate mortgages lead a resilient picture of the economy. But many consumers are frustrated with declining real wages and other loans.

By Talmon Joseph Smith

A portrait of Linda Boroski, sitting on red rocking chair on her porch, with a lace curtain behind her.

As Credit Card Debt Mounts, Home Becomes a Piggy Bank

A rise in home equity to record levels has led many Americans to refinance their mortgages to pay their bills.

By Gregory Schmidt

An illustration of a wall of brown boxlike shapes with a standing small man facing it.

With A.I. Riches at Stake, Pressures Mount to Share the Wealth

Policymakers around the country are maneuvering to ensure that tech giants aren’t the only ones who stand to benefit.

By Tony Romm

Tech Giants’ Profits Reveal Potential Vulnerability in the Stock Market

Investment gains at Alphabet and Amazon reveal a new way in which technology companies’ fortunes are increasingly linked.

By Joe Rennison

An illustration that shows a gas pump at the end of a zigzagging line on a graphic with a silhouette of a man walking on the line and another man walking on a ball shape.

Strategies

The Markets Have Been on a Roll. Is It Time to Hedge Your Bets?

The S&P 500 is in position for a rare fourth year of consecutive annual gains. Risks are rising, our columnist says, yet Wall Street is doubling down.

By Jeff Sommer

Claire Doty, wearing a white short-sleeve top that is tied together at her waist, is sitting in a sunlit park with trees and grass in the background.

One of Them Was Unemployed. Could They Afford to Date?

If you’re single and unemployed, it may make sense to prioritize job hunting. But that doesn’t have to mean putting your life on pause.

By Kailyn Rhone

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