Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 3 ways to skip your bank’s long phone lines. Also in the news: Keeping your credit in shape, even if you don’t have debt and don’t plan to borrow, 25 ways to save yourself from your debt disaster, and how to set up a 60/40 budget.

3 Ways to Skip Your Bank’s Long Phone Lines
When phone wait times are long, try to reach your bank via live chat, Twitter or message instead.

Keep your credit in shape, even if you don’t have debt and don’t plan to borrow
Good credit is important year-round.

25 Ways To Save Yourself From Your Debt Disaster
Climbing out of the debt hole.

How to Set Up a 60/40 Budget
Focus on two buckets.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 reasons it’s smart to lease a car right now. Also in the news: How to free up cash in your budget, how to decide what to leave your kids, and all the ways to get Amazon Prime for free.

5 Reasons It’s Smart to Lease a Car Right Now
Keeping your financial options open.

Can’t make money right now? Free up cash in your budget
Time to check every dollar you spend.

Should you be ‘fair’ with the inheritance you leave to your kids?
Think carefully about the message you’re sending.

All the Ways to Get Amazon Prime for Free
How to score that sweet free shipping.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Take control now with advance medical directives. Also in the news: How to transfer a credit card balance in 3 simple steps, how to set up a 50/20/30 budget, and tax filing tips for college students.

Take Control Now With Advance Medical Directives
Some of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.

How to Transfer a Credit Card Balance in 3 Simple Steps
What to do when you find a better rate.

How to Set Up a 50/20/30 Budget
Based on three easy categories.

Tax-Filing Tips for College Students
Navigating the student loan maze.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Should your student loans and your spouse’s get hitched? Also in the news: Investing vs paying student loans, the blunt truth about medical expenses, marijuana, and your tax returns, and how to figure out your finances when you’re single.

Should Your Student Loans and Your Spouse’s Get Hitched?
A look at the pros and cons.

SmartMoney Podcast: ‘Should I Invest or Pay Down My Student Loans?’
Where should your money go?

Blunt Truths About Medical Expenses, Marijuana and Your Tax Return
The IRS needs to chill.

How to Figure Out Your Finances When You’re Single
Making the budget that works solely for you.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: I travel-hacked a college tour and saved $3,000 miles. Also in the news: How to fight back against being an online fraud target, 3 essential budget categories, and where to find deals on National Pizza Day.

I Travel-Hacked a College Tour and Saved $3,000
An Amtrak sale inspired me to use points, miles and other travel rewards for an upcoming tour with my daughter.

You’re an Online Fraud Target — Fight Back
Millennials are a big target.

3 Essential Budget Categories
Lining up your three buckets.

Where to Find Deals on National Pizza Day
One of the best fake holidays.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 things to know if you’ve never budgeted before. Also in the news: Equifax breach – claims cutoff and more scammers ahead, how auto insurers use your nondriving habits to raise prices, and the benefits of filing taxes early.

4 Things to Know if You’ve Never Budgeted Before
Breaking down the basics.

Equifax Breach: Claims Cutoff and More Scammers Ahead
The fallout continues.

How Auto Insurers Use Your Nondriving Habits to Raise Prices
Your grocery shopping could raise your auto insurance.

The Benefits of Filing Taxes Early
There are good reasons to file early.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to make room for fun in your 2020 budget. Also in the news: You may have to give more personal data to get a personal loan, how to focus on monthly tasks to hit 2020 money goals, and how scammers can use your old credit card numbers.

How to Make Room for Fun in Your 2020 Budget
A budget doesn’t have to be torture.

You May Have to Give More Personal Data to Get a Personal Loan
Loan companies begin to look at alternative data.

Focus on Monthly Tasks to Hit 2020 Money Goals
Taking it one month at a time.

How Scammers Can Use Your Old Credit Card Numbers
This story could change the way you shop online.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: One credit score factor to check twice during the holidays. Also in the news: How to give back without busting your budget, how not to get hustled in the holiday bustle, and the best apps for tracking your credit card rewards.

One Credit Score Factor to Check Twice During the Holidays
Utilizing your credit wisely.

How to Give Back Without Busting Your Budget
Create a giving plan.

Identity Theft: Don’t Get Hustled in the Holiday Bustle
‘Tis the season for identity theft.

The Best Apps for Tracking Your Credit Card Rewards
All your rewards in one place.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Make renting work for your financial goals. Also in the news: Why this investment account is becoming more popular, what millennials get wrong about Social Security, and the common money regimen that can backfire and leave you worse off.

Make Renting Work for Your Financial Goals
Rent reporting can boost your credit score.

Why This Investment Account Is Becoming More Popular
Revisiting the brokerage account.

What Millennials Get Wrong About Social Security
Costly myths.

The common money regimen that can actually backfire and leave you worse off
When dieting doesn’t work.