Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why your financial aid may plummet after freshman year. Also in the news: 3 tricks to help you shop less, how FICA tax and other withholding taxes work on your paycheck, and why you should plan to retire even if you don’t plan on retiring.

Why Your Financial Aid May Plummet After Freshman Year
Preparing yourself.

These 3 Tricks Can Help You Shop Less
Curbing an expensive habit.

How FICA Tax and Other Withholding Taxes Work on Your Paycheck
What they are and how you can change them.

Plan to Retire Even If You Don’t Plan to Retire
Plans have a way of changing.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why you shouldn’t give up on public service student loan forgiveness. Also in the news: The life-changing magic of working a bit longer, why your financial aid may plummet after freshman year, and 7 thoughtful and unique graduation gifts — all under $25.

Don’t Give Up on Public Service Loan Forgiveness
The odds are slim, but still worth trying.

The Life-Changing Magic of Working a Bit Longer
It’s worth it.

Why your financial aid may plummet after freshman year
How you can prepare.

7 thoughtful and unique graduation gifts — all under $25
Celebrate without going broke.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 steps to reaching financial freedom. Also in the news: How to furnish your new home without breaking the bank, growing your garden with only a little green, and how to compare and decipher college financial aid offers.

5 Steps to Reaching Financial Freedom
One step at a time.

You Got the House! Now, How Do You Afford to Furnish It?
How to avoid overpaying.

Grow Your Garden With Only a Little Green
You want a garden, not a money pit.

Accepted to college? How to compare and decipher financial aid offers
Making sense of it all.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to decipher your college aid. Also in the news: What to do when your income peaks before you’re ready, 9 tips for 2019 college grads anticipating their first paychecks, and how your child’s sports could be sabotaging your financial health.

Accepted! How to Decipher Your College Aid
Making sense of the fine print.

Your Income Can Peak Before You’re Ready
Taking stalled wages into account.

9 Money Tips for 2019 College Grads Anticipating Their First Paychecks
How to spend, save, invest, and pay down.

Your child’s sports could be sabotaging your financial health
The high cost of youth sports.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Could you live on your retirement savings for 23 years? Also in the news: How a new pilot manages $116,000+ in loans, what your tax refund will look like this year, and the top 10 colleges for financial aid.

Could You Live on Your Retirement Savings for 23 Years?
How long will your money last?

Debt Diary: How a New Pilot Manages $116,000+ in Loans
A payoff strategy.

What Your Tax Refund Will Look Like This Year
It might not be as much as you think.

The top 10 colleges for financial aid
Some colleges are quite generous.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: A look at the past three months of housing trends. Also in the news: A new app to help apply for financial aid, how to avoid magical thinking when it comes to retirement planning, and what to know about freezing and unfreezing your credit.

3 Months, 3 Housing Trends: Rates Rise, Prices Slow, Millennials Buy
What’s happening in housing.

Ready to Apply for College Aid? A New App’s on Tap
Financial aid at your fingertips.

Don’t Let Magical Thinking Jinx Retirement Planning
You’re not going to win the lottery.

What to Know About Freezing and Unfreezing Your Credit
Know the pros and cons.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to put your money where your politics are. Also in the news: What not to buy until Black Friday, a stock market outlook for fall, and you can now file your FAFSA from your phone.

How to Put Your Money Where Your Politics Are
Voting with your wallet.

Black Friday Is Coming. Here’s What Not to Buy Until Then
Hold off on those electronics.

Stock Market Outlook: Lessons of the Fall
What to expect this season.

You Can Now File FAFSA from Your Phone
Making FAFSA filing easier.

Why your kid should help pay for college

I recently heard from the parents of yet another high school senior who turned down a huge scholarship from a good college to attend her “dream school,” which of course has lousy financial aid. Now her parents are scrambling, trying to figure out how to pay for it .

This madness must end.

Asking teenagers to pay the whole cost of a four-year college degree probably isn’t realistic or smart. Kids may be cut off from financial aid, since need-based help is largely based on the parents’ resources. The debt they accumulate may be crippling, and students who try to pay for school entirely on their own are more likely to drop out.

But the open bar approach isn’t wise, either. Setting limits and requiring a kid to pay at least part of the cost can actually lead to better grades while protecting parents’ finances.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why parents should set clear boundaries about how much they’ll pay for college.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 great ways to invest your tax refund. Also in the news: How to say no to being a bridesmaid, when to upgrade at the gas pump, and how to decode your financial aid letters.

5 Great Ways to Invest Your Tax Refund
The best ways to put your windfall to good use.

Ask Brianna: How to Say No to Being a Bridesmaid
While keeping your friendship intact.

Premium and ‘Top Tier’ Gas: When to Upgrade at the Pump
When the higher octane is necessary.

How to Decode Your Financial Aid Letters
Deciphering your offers.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Wells Fargo reveals wider abuses. Are you owed money? Also in the news: How to handle credit card bills in an emergency, how much cash do you carry, and a student is accidentally given $1M in financial aid, spends thousands.

Wells Fargo Reveals Wider Abuses: Are You Owed Money?
The scandal widens.

How to Handle Credit Card Bills During an Emergency
What you need to know.

How Much Cash Do You Carry? See How You Compare
A wallet full of cash? Or cards only?

Student accidentally given $1M in financial aid, spends thousands
What could possibly go wrong?