Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How student loan servicers are trying to trick you. Also in the news: When to use your debit card instead of credit, saving for your kids’ college education, and tips on getting and staying out of debt.

6 Ways Student Loan Servicers Are Trying to Trick You
Pay close attention to every correspondence.

7 Times to Use a Debit Card Instead of a Credit Card
Don’t pay the interest unless absolutely necessary.

How Much Do You Plan on Saving for Your Kids’ College Education?
Planning for one of life’s biggest expenses.

10 Ways to Get Out — and Stay Out — of Debt
Good advice.

Does Bad Credit Last Forever?
Waiting it out.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

late-payments-depression-400x400Today’s top story: The most depressing number in personal finance. Also in the news: The secret language of finance, the changes coming to IRAs and 401(k)s in 2015, and the money moves you should make by the end of the year.

This Is the Most Depressing Number in Personal Finance
Take a guess.

Translate This! How To Decode The Secret Language Of Finance
Like Rosetta Stone for banks!

IRA and 401(k) Changes Coming in 2015
You’ll be able to contribute more next year.

9 Money Moves to Make Before the End of the Year
Tick tock…

When Refinancing Your Student Loans Can Backfire
Thorough research is essential.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

imagesToday’s top story: How your kids can hurt your credit. Also in the news: How to find the best financing when purchasing a new car, why baby boomers need help paying down their debt, and five banking fees that are actually worth paying.

5 Ways Your Kid Can Hurt Your Credit
Intentionally and unintentionally.

Need a New Car? Here’s How to Find the Best Financing Deal
Don’t forget to skip the “undercarriage package.”

Boomer Retirees Need a Hand Paying Down Debt
How to prioritize payments while saving for retirement.

5 Banking Fees That Are Actually Worth Paying
Some fees have long-term benefits.

How to Prepare for a Mini-Retirement
Making the big retirement picture seem less far away.

News you can use for retirement

seniorslaptopReuters news service has posted its “Retirement Roadmap 2014,” a collection of good advice on topics that don’t get as much attention as they should. My favorite of the bunch is Beth Pinsker’s piece on choosing a rehab facility after surgery, either for yourself or a parent. It’s not a sexy topic, but if you’ve ever been in this situation you realize how little information is out there to help you choose well. Another important topic is choosing a new Medicare plan, since open enrollment is coming up and most people just stick with what they have–not realizing they’re paying more than they should.  This would be a great article to pass along to anyone you know who’s 65 or over.

And then, for fun, read about a couple who sold their house to travel the world…and dream a little.

Here are the links you’ll need:

Video: Guide to Healthcare Costs
From Medicare to long-term care to health savings accounts. We explore the options – and the possibilities – in episode one of our 12-part series.

Stern Advice: Should you tap your 401(k)to buy a house?

Why it pays to pore over your Medicare drug plan – every year

How to choose the best rehab facility after a hospital stay

It happens: Seniors with student debt – and smaller Social Security checks

Extreme retirement abroad: How one footloose couple sees the world

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

siblingsToday’s top story: The fear of outliving your retirement savings. Also in the news: Credit scores reach new highs, fun ways to teach your kids about money, and steps to protect yourself against credit fraud.

Big retirement fear: Outliving your savings
What you can do to prevent it.

Credit Scores Hit New Highs – But You Should Aim Higher
The higher the better.

4 Fun Ways to Teach Your Kids About Money
How to make teaching your kids about money fun.

9 Steps to protect against credit card fraud
Lessons from the Home Depot and Target breaches.

Help! 2 Debt Collectors Are Calling About the Same Debt
Twice the annoyances with none of the fun.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

procrastinationToday’s top story: Why putting things off until tomorrow can become expensive. Also in the news: Tips on college scholarships, how to have peaceful conversations about money, and how to break the cycle of living from paycheck to paycheck.

I’ll Do That Tomorrow: The High Cost of Procrastination on Personal Finance
Doing it tomorrow can cost you money.

Confessions of a Master Scholarship Coach
How to help your kids earn money for college.

How to Keep a Money Talk From Becoming a Money Fight
Keeping the peace during a stressful conversation.

5 Ways Your Yard May Be Scaring Off Potential Homebuyers
Make sure the outside looks as good as the inside.

Common “Debt Traps” That Keep You Living Paycheck-to-Paycheck
How to break the cycle.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How paying your credit cards early and often can protect your credit score. Also in the news: How to save your kids from spending their 20’s in debt, six home renovation mistakes to avoid, and tips on getting the best car loan.

Charge a Lot? Pay Early and Often to Avoid Score Damage
Your score will thank you for it.

5 Ways My Parents Saved Me from Spending My 20s in Debt
How to do the same for your kids.

6 Home Renovation Mistakes That Could Cost You
DIY isn’t always the cheaper route.

5 tips to get the best deal on a car loan
Don’t be afraid to shop around.

Can You Raise Your Credit Score 100 Points in a Month?
That’s a tough one.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

130709154122-overdue-bill-debt-collection-620xaToday’s top story: Learn how to fight back against debt collectors. Also in the news: Finding the perfect retirement location, protecting your 401(k) from a market drop, and the best American cities to raise your family in.

How One Man Learned to Fight Back Against Debt Collectors
Don’t be afraid to push back.

How to pick the perfect retirement location
Getting the most for your retirement savings.

Here’s How to Protect Your 401(k) from the Next Big Market Drop
Avoiding damage from the next big downturn.

The Best Cities For Working Parents
Choosing the best place to raise your family.

Which States Give You More for Your Money?
A hundred dollars isn’t always worth a hundred dollars.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How to improve your credit score by strategically using your credit cards. Also in the news: Avoiding common debt traps, five store credit cards you should avoid, and what to do when your financial situation leads to depression.

7 Credit Card Strategies to Help Your Credit
How to use your cards to improve your credit score.

Pay, Spend, Pay: How This Debt Mistake Can Set You Back
Avoiding the debt trap.

Don’t get credit cards from these 5 stores
Not unless you’re comfortable with interest rates in the mid-twenties.

7 Steps to Defeat Money Depression
What to do when financial stress gets the best of you.

How To Compare Home Insurance Companies
How to make sure you get the right policy for your home.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How early withdrawals can take a chunk out of your retirement savings. Also in the news: The smart way to go into debt, retirement mistakes you need to avoid, and three ways consumers become victims of identity theft.

How Early Withdrawals Can Tax Your Retirement Savings
Taxes and penalties abound.

The Smart Ways to Go Into Debt
Yes, you read that correctly.

The 7 Retirement Mistakes That Finance Experts Tell Their Clients to Avoid
You don’t want to make these.

3 Ways Consumers Fall Victim to Identity Theft
You’ll want to avoid these, too.

Laziness Can Cost You: 5 Ways Renters Set Themselves Up for Failure
Due diligence and research is an absolute must.