Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Steps to build healthy spending habits and make the transition out of college easier. Also in the news: How to avoid risk of student loan default, why you should file your taxes early, and the cheapest American metro areas to buy a home right now.

Get Ready to Spend Like a College Grad With These Top Budget Tips
Soon-to-be graduates can take these steps to build healthy spending habits and make the transition out of college easier.

Are You At Risk of Student Loan Default?
Student loan default starts the same way for everyone: a missed payment.

Why You Should File Your Taxes Early
Don’t wait until the last minute to get in line for your refund.

The Cheapest American Metro Areas to Buy a Home Right Now
With the cost of houses continuing to rise, location can make a big difference.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How new grads can handle 3 essential post-college questions. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on money goals and bank bonuses, the possibility of another stimulus check, and everything that goes away when coronavirus benefits end in July.

How New Grads Can Handle 3 Essential Post-College Questions
The real world is a bit different these days.

SmartMoney Podcast: Setting Money Goals at Milestone Birthdays, and Bagging Big Bucks with Bank Bonuses
Use your big birthday to set a new goal.

Is Another Stimulus Check Coming?
Maybe.

Here is everything that goes away when coronavirus benefits end in July
Start planning ahead for changes.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Stressed to Pick the Best? Try ‘Good Enough’ money decisions instead. Also in the news: How to get your credit disaster-ready, 7 budgeting tips for every type of budgeter, and 9 money moves every new grad should make.

Stressed to Pick the Best? Try ‘Good Enough’ Money Decisions Instead
When good is good enough.

How to Get Your Credit Disaster-Ready
Be ready for emergencies.

7 Budgeting Tips for Every Type of Budgeter
Finding the right approach.

9 Money Moves Every New Grad Should Make
Welcome to the beginning of your financial life.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why new grads shouldn’t snooze and lose on their employer’s 401(k). Also in the news: Ditching debt by working side gigs, how to decide if that life insurance rider is worth it, and how freelancers can save for retirement beyond an IRA.

New Grads, Don’t Snooze and Lose on Your Employer’s 401(k)
One of the biggest steps you’ll take in your new financial life.

How I Ditched Debt: Paying With Cash, Working Side Gigs
One man’s experience paying down his debt.

How to Decide If That Life Insurance Rider Is Worth It
A look at the extra benefits.

How Freelancers Can Save for Retirement Beyond an IRA
Other options to consider.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Money advice for new graduates – and some old-school wisdom. Also in the news: Should you fix or break up with your car, types of stocks to look at if you’re getting back into the market, and how to determine if you need life insurance in retirement.

Money Advice for New Grads — and Some Old-School Wisdom
Advice from personal finance experts.

Should You Fix Up or Break Up With Your Car?
Separating emotion from reality.

Buying the Dip? Give These Types of Stocks a Look
Time to get back in the market?

How to determine if you need life insurance in retirement
Assessing your circumstances.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The best cities for recent college graduates. Also in the news: Why paying bills is a grind for almost half of Americans, how to trim expensive wedding frills without cutting guests’ fun, and everything you wanted to know about your credit report but were afraid to ask.

Best Cities for Recent College Grads
Starting someplace new.

Paying Bills Is a Grind for 43% of Americans, CFPB Finds
Living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Trim Expensive Wedding Frills Without Cutting Guests’ Fun
Concentrating on the important things.

Everything you wanted to know about your credit report — but were afraid to ask
No dumb questions.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 401(k) mistakes for new grads to avoid. Also in the news: 6 financial questions you’re too embarrassed to ask, why you should scatter your bank accounts, and 5 facts that prove Americans don’t know anything about managing money.

New Grads, Don’t Make These 401(k) Mistakes
Plan carefully.

6 Financial Aid Questions You’re Too Embarrassed to Ask
We’ve got answers.

Why You Should Scatter Your Bank Accounts
Don’t keep it all in one place.

5 Facts that Prove Americans Don’t Know Anything about managing money
We need to get better at this.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: NerdWallet dads share their personal finance tips. Also in the news: Why college grads need more education, how minimalism can help your wallet, and what the Fed meeting means for investors and home buyers.

NerdWallet Dads Share Their Personal Finance Tips
Learning from the dads.

College grads are educated, but not in matters of personal finance
More education is needed.

8 Ways Minimalism Can Help Maximize Your Wallet
Less can equal more.

What Fed meeting means for investors, homeowners/buyers
Keeping an eye on interest rates.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

business girl with shopping bagsToday’s top story: How to find the best deals for Memorial Day sales. Also in the news: Money mistakes to avoid for new grads, why Americans are pretty clueless about their credit cards and scores, and deciding what to do with an old 401(k).

Memorial Day Sales: How to Snag a Good Deal, Guaranteed
The most bang for your buck.

New Grads: Avoid These 5 Money Mistakes
Don’t start off on the wrong foot.

Survey: Americans are pretty clueless on credit cards and scores
We need to do better.

To Roll Over or Not to Roll Over: What to Do With That Old 401(k)
What works best for you?

A game plan for grads struggling with new loan payments

Student-LoansAn improved economy and lower unemployment should reduce the number of recent college graduates who default on the federal student loans they are supposed to start repaying when their six-month grace periods expire – as soon as November for May graduates.

Inevitably, though, some will fall behind even though there is no good reason to do so. Their credit scores will be crippled and they will risk the government garnishing their wages and seizing their tax refunds.

In my latest for Reuters, how new graduates can handle their new loan payments and protect their credit.

At MoneyWatch, the five things you should know about disaster insurance, and the IRS retirement plan contribution limits for 2016.