Quentin Fottrell

New York

Managing Editor, Personal Finance at MarketWatch

Irishman in New York. Managing Editor, Advice Columns @MarketWatch. Created The Moneyist. Former Ireland correspondent for @DowJones/@WSJ

Articles

Trump and Elon Musk’s social-media mudslinging offers a lesson for all of us

2 weeks ago | marketwatch.com | Quentin Fottrell

The MoneyistDon’t air your dirty laundry on social media — it could cost you dearlyPublished: June 9, 2025 at 8:50 a.m. ETThe recent spat between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is a reminder of how easy it is to press “send,” only to bitterly regret it later. Photo: MarketWatch/Quentin Fottrell/iStockphotoMirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the smartest of them all? Review your past social-media posts and find out. Oftentimes, it’s not pretty.
‘Things are going loco’: My local restaurant charges a 5% container fee and 3% kitchen-service charge. Is this nuts?

2 weeks ago | marketwatch.com | Quentin Fottrell

The Moneyist‘Please don’t tell me to “eat at home if you can’t afford to tip” because it’s not about whether I can afford it or not’Published: June 9, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. ET“This restaurant has a 3% surcharge for credit-card use.” (Photo subject is a model.) Photo: Getty Images/iStockphotoDear Quentin,This is about tipping and please don’t tell me to “eat at home if you can’t afford to tip” because it’s not about whether I can afford it or not.
‘It might be another Apple or Microsoft’: My wife invested $100K in one stock and it exploded 1,500%. Do we sell?

2 weeks ago | marketwatch.com | Quentin Fottrell

The Moneyist‘She shops with coupons at TJ Maxx’Published: June 9, 2025 at 5:30 a.m. ET“I nearly collapsed when she told me about how much it went up. She shops with coupons at TJ Maxx.” (Photo subjects are models.) Photo: Getty Images/iStockphotoDear Quentin,We are novice investors, limited to 401(k)s and index funds that we manage ourselves. However, we took a chance on a stock shortly after its IPO. It has exploded, up more than 15 times. Not 15% — 15 times. That is, 1,500%.
My new husband gave me a contract and told me to 'sign here' - but I refused. It was the best decision of my life.

2 weeks ago | morningstar.com | Quentin Fottrell

By Quentin Fottrell 'My husband said there was no need to read the contract, and to just sign below his signature' Dear Quentin, My former husband started house hunting during our engagement. A few months into our marriage, he took me to meet who I thought was our prospective builder. It was a contract sabotage. My new husband signed the last page without even looking at the other pages. He then passed the contract to me, and I was told to "sign here." I turned to page one and began reading.
I bought my mother-in-law a condo - and she took out a $30,000 car loan. Now she refuses to get a roommate.

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Quentin Fottrell

Quentin Fottrell Sun, Jun 8, 2025, 8:30 AM 5 min read “I really want to quit my job to be a stay-at-home mom as I have 3 young kids.” (Photo subject is a model.) - Getty Images/iStockphoto I have a complicated money issue. About 3 years ago, my mother-in-law was widowed and she subsequently was evicted from her rental home that she could no longer afford.
I have $1,000 in credit-card debt. Will I be able to hide my inheritance from the bank?

2 weeks ago | morningstar.com | Quentin Fottrell

By Quentin Fottrell 'The debt stems from over five years ago, and I forgot about it' Dear Quentin, I am about to receive an inheritance. Coincidentally, a credit-card company is suing me for $1,000. If you have any tips for getting them to just accept a settlement instead of the full amount, I'd appreciate it. The debt stems from over five years ago, and I forgot about it. The timing is strange. Can debt collectors find out if I am about to receive an inheritance?
I help my elderly mother every day and drive her to appointments. Can I recoup my costs from her estate?

2 weeks ago | morningstar.com | Quentin Fottrell

By Quentin Fottrell 'I don't want to upset her while she's living. Stress makes her condition worse.' Dear Quentin, I have been the caregiver for my parents. That has meant taking time off work to drive them to doctors' appointments as well as attending the appointments with them, translating medical information into plain language they can understand. I sometimes use my paid time off for this and other times just don't get paid for those days.
'I prepaid our mom's rent for a year': My sister is a millionaire and never helps our mother. How do I cut her out of her will?

3 weeks ago | morningstar.com | Quentin Fottrell

By Quentin Fottrell 'I have worked for more than six months to get my elderly mother a place to live' Dear Quentin, I am mentioned in a will with one other sibling whom I haven't spoken to in 8 years. I know she is alive, but she has nothing to do with me or my family. I'd like to know what my rights are. I have worked for more than six months to get my elderly mother a place to live before her home was almost foreclosed on for back taxes.
‘I prepaid our mom’s rent for a year’: My sister is a millionaire and never helps our mother. How do I cut her out of her will?

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Quentin Fottrell

Quentin Fottrell Sat, Jun 7, 2025, 10:19 AM 5 min read “I’ve made six trips of over eight hours to clean out the house.” (Photo subject is a model.) - Getty Images/iStockphoto I am mentioned in a will with one other sibling whom I haven’t spoken to in 8 years. I know she is alive, but she has nothing to do with me or my family. I’d like to know what my rights are.
My friend is getting divorced. Her husband offered to sign over their house. What's he hiding?

3 weeks ago | morningstar.com | Quentin Fottrell

By Quentin Fottrell 'After my friend said that perhaps she'll just settle for the house, her husband agreed and moved to file for divorce quickly' Dear Quentin, I'm writing on behalf of a friend and family member who is going through a divorce. I have asked her to consult an attorney to make sure she feels good about her decision regarding the division of assets., At the same time, I don't want the divorce to be dragged out and get acrimonious.

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Quentin Fottrell @Quantanamo

2 Jun 25

RT @MarketWatch: We are living in the era of cautious consumerism. The Moneyist: 'Consumers are making more judicious decisions.' Movie…

Quentin Fottrell @Quantanamo

24 May 25

RT @MarketWatch: 'My daughter’s boyfriend, a guest in my home, offered to powerwash my house — then demanded money after chowing down on $5…

Quentin Fottrell @Quantanamo

24 May 25

RT @MarketWatch: Is now a good time to buy a new iPhone? The Moneyist has an answer. https://t.co/NvqClRAxfN

Quentin Fottrell

Articles

Trump and Elon Musk’s social-media mudslinging offers a lesson for all of us

‘Things are going loco’: My local restaurant charges a 5% container fee and 3% kitchen-service charge. Is this nuts?

‘It might be another Apple or Microsoft’: My wife invested $100K in one stock and it exploded 1,500%. Do we sell?

My new husband gave me a contract and told me to 'sign here' - but I refused. It was the best decision of my life.

I bought my mother-in-law a condo - and she took out a $30,000 car loan. Now she refuses to get a roommate.

I have $1,000 in credit-card debt. Will I be able to hide my inheritance from the bank?

I help my elderly mother every day and drive her to appointments. Can I recoup my costs from her estate?

'I prepaid our mom's rent for a year': My sister is a millionaire and never helps our mother. How do I cut her out of her will?

‘I prepaid our mom’s rent for a year’: My sister is a millionaire and never helps our mother. How do I cut her out of her will?

My friend is getting divorced. Her husband offered to sign over their house. What's he hiding?

Contact details

Emails

Socials & Sites

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