Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why couples need their own slush fund. Also in the news: 5 signs it’s time to break up with your financial advisor, easy home touch-ups to bring in more buyers, and the dark reason so many millennials are miserable and broke.

Why Couples Need Their Own Slush Funds
Separate doesn’t have to mean secret.

5 Signs It’s Time to Break Up With Your Financial Advisor
What to look out for.

Easy Home Touch-Ups to Bring All the Buyers to Your Yard
Giving your home more curb appeal.

The dark reason so many millennials are miserable and broke
Social media is taking a toll.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What a travel agent can do for you that a search engine can’t. Also in the news: How one couple paid off over $200,000 in debt, 6 ways to weed out shady schools, and why your credit score may not be as good as you think it is.

What a Travel Agent Can Do for You That a Search Engine Can’t
More than just booking a ticket.

How I Ditched Debt: Setting Pride Aside and Asking for Help
One couple’s story.

6 Ways to Weed Out Shady Schools
Just because it has “university” in the name doesn’t mean it’s legit.

Why Your Credit Score May Not Be As Good As You Think It Is
So many scores.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Cryptocurrency for beginners. Also in the news: How credit card rewards made a couple’s dreams come true, when to tell your partner that you’re in serious debt, and why you should get a new bank if you’re paying fees.

Cryptocurrency for Beginners: 7 Questions to Ask
Understanding the hottest money trend.

How Credit Card Rewards Made Their Dreams Come True
Building rewards with an ultimate goal in mind.

Ask Brianna: Should I Tell My Partner I’m in Serious Debt?
When it’s time to confess.

If You’re Paying Fees of Any Kind, Get a New Bank
Don’t pay for your banking.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How your wallet can do more good this year. Also in the news: Talking money with our partners, how to file a claim in the Western Union fraud case, and why the Dow Jones breaking records isn’t helping your bottom line.

How Your Wallet Can Do More Good This Year
Putting your money where your values are.

Breaking the Last Taboo: Talking Money With Our Partners
Having the tough conversations.

Western Union Fraud Case: How to File a Claim
You have until February 12th.

Why the Dow Jones Breaking Records Isn’t Helping Your Bottom Line
When the numbers don’t match up.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 3 questions couples should ask before getting a dog. Also in the news: 4 Black Friday facts retailers don’t want you to know, what to buy and skip this Black Friday, and the number one financial fear for most Americans.

3 Questions Couples Should Ask Before Getting a Dog
A financial commitment.

4 Black Friday Facts Retailers Don’t Want You to Know
Black Friday secrets.

What to Buy (and Skip) on Black Friday 2017
Start making a list.

Financial fears? This is No. 1 for most Americans
Money monsters under the bed.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to foil 5 common bank fees from draining your funds. Also in the news: How to talk – not fight – about money with your spouse, the real cost of owning a pet, and how Equifax ignored warning about security vulnerabilities.

How to Foil 5 Common Bank Fees From Draining Your Funds
Don’t let them take your money.

How to Talk — Not Fight — About Money With Your Spouse
Peaceful talks over a tough subject.

How Much Does Owning a Pet Really Cost?
Affording Fido.

Equifax Was Warned About Vulnerability But Failed To Patch It
A nightmare that could have been prevented.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 10-word answers to your biggest hurricane insurance questions. Also in the news: How to prepare before a hurricane hits, ditching debt when you’re newly single, and how to bring up money for the first time.

10-Word Answers to Your Biggest Hurricane Insurance Questions
What you need to know.

How to Prepare Before a Hurricane Hits
Essential tips.

How I Ditched Debt: Newly Single, ‘I Knew I Had to Help Myself’
Protecting yourself first.

How to Bring Up Money for the First Time in a Relationship
Making the first move.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 3 money tools to save you from yourself. Also in the news: Why paying off debt with retirement money can be dangerous, how to make money selling stuff online, and why you should think twice before giving up financial control at the altar.

3 Money Tools to Save You From Yourself
We could all use a little help.

A High-Wire Act: Paying Off Debt With Retirement Money
A dicey proposition.

How to Make Money Selling Stuff Online
Putting money in your pockets by creating room in your closet.

Think twice before giving up financial control at the altar
Create a balance instead.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Budgeting for newlyweds. Also in the news: What you need to know about May’s Fed meeting, should a partner’s debt keep you from marrying, and a retirement literacy quiz you need to pass.

Budgeting for Newlyweds: Figuring Out Family Finance
Now comes the fun part.

May 2017 Fed Meeting: 7 Questions (and Answers)
What you need to know.

Ask Brianna: Should My Partner’s Debt Keep Us From Marrying?
Things to consider.

A retirement literacy quiz you need to pass
Knowing the essentials.

Q&A:Prenup may help with student loan issue

Dear Liz: You recently heard from someone who discovered after marriage that his wife had more than $100,000 in student loans. Would having a prenuptial agreement help in this situation?

Answer: Possibly. Debts incurred before marriage are considered separate rather than joint debts, but creditors still sometimes try to go after joint assets to get paid. A prenuptial agreement, which is a written contract created before marriage, could help a couple limit liability for each other’s debts.

In this case, the husband was willing to help his wife resolve the debts, but knowing about them before marriage would have been helpful — to put it mildly. The loans probably would have turned up during the financial disclosures required when drafting a prenuptial agreement. Even couples who won’t consider a prenup should pull their credit reports together so each knows what he or she is getting into.