Today Money financial expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday to answer your questions.

Here’s one of her answers to questions from the live chat. (See below for the full Q&A.)

Barbara asked:

“Will filing for my divorce help my credit score? My husband and I have a house in foreclosure (I have already purchased a condo and moved away) and I would like to know if going back to my maiden name will help. Or is my credit ruined for the next 7 years? Thank you.”

Lynnette replied:

“Filing for divorce - in and of itself - will neither help nor hurt your credit score. Neither will going back to your maiden name. Lenders and creditors will still evaluate your credit history primarily based on your payment track record. And regardless of your name (surname, married name, or maiden name), banks and other credit grantors (and certain credit scoring companies) will certainly be able to tie your current name to your old name because your identity is linked through one all-important thing: your social security number.”

Here’s the full chat archive:

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Today Money financial expert Farnoosh Torabi joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday to answer your questions.

Here’s one of her answers to questions from the live chat. (See below for the full Q&A and video of Farnoosh’s TV appearance this morning.)

Jennifer asked:

“My husband I are rebuilding our credit (medical debt) by paying on time and paying thing off. We don’t have any credit cards but find we need one for travel (car rental, etc) Do you have any recommendations for one that has not so good credit?”

Farnoosh replied:

“Hey Jennifer, you can search for good travel rewards cards at creditcards.com or at credit.com. I'd try to find one that isn't exclusive to an airline so that you can get the most bang for your travel buck.”

Here’s the full chat archive and Farnoosh’s TV appearance:

If you have a question for our TODAY Money experts, submit it here. 

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Today Money financial expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday to answer your questions.

Here’s one of his answers to questions from the live chat. (See below for the full Q&A and video of Lynnette’s TV appearance this morning.)

Marie asked:

“What would you recommend as the best credit counseling service to use? I have about $15000 in debt, which I've tried to make arrangements with, but keep getting bugged with phone calls. I've had some medical probs, but still receive DI pay. Some of these bills have gone to collections. I'm at my wit’s end trying to handle all of this...Thks.”

Lynnette replied:

“Anytime you pick a credit counseling agency, make sure it's a HUD-certified agency. Check out the National Foundation for Debt Management. Their website is www.NFDM.org. They're a very reputable organization that is HUD-certified. They also have a terrific BBB rating and low cost services. Many of their services, in fact, are affordable or free. So it's a good place for people who are looking for help with credit and debt problems.”

Here’s the full chat archive and Lynnette’s TV appearance:

If you have a question for our TODAY Money experts, submit it here.

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Collin Morgan, the coupon-savvy mom behind Hip2Save.com, joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday to answer your questions.

Here’s one of her answers to questions from the live chat. (See below for the full Q&A.)

A chat guest asked:

“How do you not get embarrassed when you go into a store with your binder? I know I should be proud that I'm saving money, but the looks and stares I get when I pull my binder out are almost enough to make me want to walk out of the store.”

Collin replied:

“I have learned that it really is HIP 2Save... so I am actually not embarrassed at all. I have found that the stares I get in the store are not so much about them looking at me like I'm a crazy nut, but more that they are curious about what I'm doing... and want to learn how to do it to! My binder has sparked so many great conversations with other shoppers... I LOVE it! :)”

Here’s the full chat archive:

If you have a question for our TODAY Money experts, submit it here. 

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Today Money financial expert David Bach joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday to answer your questions.

Here’s one of his answers to questions from the live chat. (See below for the full Q&A and video of David’s TV appearance this morning.)

Guest asked:

“Hi - I am contributing 15% to my 401K but my company only matches 50% up to 6%. Should I be doing something else with my 9%?”

David replied:

“Dear Guest! You should leave it alone...you are brilliant and doing everything right. You will look back later in life and be sooooooooooooo GLAD you put 15% in your 401k plan. You friends will wonder how you go to retire ten years before them and it will be because you saved three times more than they did! Well done, stay the course.”

Here’s the full chat archive and David’s TV appearance:

If you have a question for our TODAY Money experts, submit it here.

To sign up for an e-mail reminder for our next chat, click here.

Today Money financial expert David Bach joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday to answer your questions.

Here’s one of his answers to questions from the live chat. (See below for the full Q&A and video of David’s TV appearance this morning.)

Jennifer asked:

“My husband and I are 30 and because we were in graduate school most of our 20s, we are just starting to save money. At what point in life does it make sense to get a financial planner? How much should a financial planner cost?”

David replied:

“I think the sooner you get a financial planner the better. With that said, you should read up on investing before your hire one so you know what questions to ask and you are prepared better to screen a good advisor from a bad advisor. Read Smart Couples Finish Rich, before you hire a financial advisor. In this book I also layout how to hire and how to pay a financial advisor. The cost to do a basic financial plan is around $500 to $5,000 depending on how detailed it is. Then there are costs to work with the financial advisor. Most advisors today charge a flat fee on assets of around 1%. You can also hire financial advisors by the hour. Hope that helps you get started! Lastly before you hire a financial advisor check out their background online by visiting the NASD website and make sure there are not any complaints or legal issues with the advisor.”

Here’s the full chat archive and David’s TV appearance:

If you have a question for our TODAY Money experts, submit it here.

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Today Money financial expert Sharon Epperson joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday to answer your questions.

Here’s one of her answers to questions from the live chat. (See below for the full Q&A and video of Sharon’s TV appearance this morning.)

Amey asked:

“I just had a baby (4 months). I want to start saving money for him but not exactly sure of the best place to save. I was thinking about the 529 savings plan but I wasn't sure if it HAD to be used for college. Of course I'd like him to go to college, but what if he doesn't. What happens to that money?”

Sharon replied:

“You are so smart to start saving for his education NOW. 529 college savings plans are great ways to force you to save for college - but you must use those funds for qualified higher education expenses or pay a penalty fee when you withdraw the money. It's like a 401k or IRA in the sense that you can take the money out without penalty if it's used for its intended purpose - otherwise you pay a penalty. The good news is that even if your child does not go to college, the money can go to another beneficiary -- you, another child, family member, friend, anyone. If you're not sure if your child will go to college, hedge your bets. Put some money in the 529 plan and some in a Roth IRA. You can use the Roth IRA for your own retirement or use the contributions you've made to the Roth college if needed. Actually, Roth contributions can be taken out at any time TAX-FREE, making them another great way to save.”

Here’s the full chat archive and Sharon’s TV appearance:

If you have a question for our TODAY Money experts, submit it here. 

To sign up for an e-mail reminder for our next chat, click here.

Today Money financial expert Sharon Epperson joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday to answer your questions.

Here’s one of her answers to questions from the live chat. (See below for the full Q&A and video of Sharon’s TV appearance this morning.)

Tara asked:

“Is it better to pay off student loan debt or save for retirement?”

Sharon replied:

“It's not an "either/or" situation. You should definitely save for retirement and the earlier you start the better off you'll be. You need to itemize your student loans and figure out if you can consolidate. Pay off what you need to pay to stay current. But don't neglect your own retirement savings in the process.”

Here’s the full chat archive and Sharon’s TV appearance:

If you have a question for our TODAY Money experts, submit it here.

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Today Money financial expert Carmen Wong Ulrich joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday to answer your questions.

Here’s one of her answers to questions from the live chat. (See below for the full Q&A and video of Carmen’s TV appearance this morning.)

Becky asked:

“My boyfriend and I both work as design/web development freelancers. We've been doing so for 4 years, and our taxes are increasingly higher. I was wondering if it would be better for our clients and our taxes if we would incorporate.”

Carmen replied:

“Becky - Oh YES! Definitely form an LLC with your boyfriend (if you're ready to make that sort of commitment, ahem!). Or, even a corp on your own where you get paid through the corp rather than personally. There are some upfront costs but you'll recoup that in your first year in tax savings. Good luck!”

Here are links to the full chat archive and Carmen’s TV appearance:

If you have a question for our TODAY Money experts, submit it here.

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TODAY

TODAY Money expert and CNBC personal finance correspondent Sharon Epperson joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday morning after the show's Money 911 segment.

Here's one of her answers from the chat and a complete archive:

Evan's question:
Hi! I'm 14 years old. I have savings bonds that I will receive when I'm 18 and was wondering how I should spend those or should I save them for college and other things. 

Sharon's answer:
You're only 14!! I am sooo excited that you have joined our chat and are interested in finding out the best way to save your money for the future. 

You are on the right track and you probably can guess my answer: SAVE, SAVE, SAVE.

When you get that money at 18, use it for college or invest it in a 529 college savings plan for a few years and then use it to pay for the last year or two of your education.

Complete archive:

If you have a question for our TODAY Money experts, submit it here.

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Watch the complete Money 911 segment below: