Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Amazon launches a car comparison site. Also in the news: HARP loans get extended through September of 2017, 4 finance apps every college student needs, and what to do if you can’t afford your kids’ school supplies.

Amazon Launches Car Comparison Site
The online giant gets in the car game.

HARP Loan Extended Through September 2017
Struggling homeowners have more time to refinance.

4 Finance Apps Every College Student Needs
Sticking to a budget while on campus.

What if You Can’t Afford Your Kids’ School Supplies?
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

W-2 Tax heroToday’s top story: What you need to know about your W-2. Also in the news: How the “Five-Finger Checkup” can save your financial life, the best method for paying off different kinds of loans, and apps that will help manage your money.

6 Things You Need to Know About Your W-2
Deciphering what it means.

How the ‘Five-Finger Checkup’ Can Save Your Financial Life
One question for each finger.

The Best Method for Paying Off Each Kind of Loan
You need more than one strategy.

7 Apps to Help Manage Your Money
Help is at your fingertips.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Credit report with score on a desk

Credit report with score on a desk

Today’s top story: Understanding your credit card’s free FICO score. Also in the news: The difference between a soft inquiry and a hard inquiry, surviving Social Security with a minor cost of living adjustment, and how apps can both help and hurt your finances.

To Understand Your Credit Card’s Free FICO Score, Get Your Credit Report
How your credit card use factors into scores.

What’s the Difference Between a Soft Inquiry and a Hard Inquiry on My Credit Report?
Which ones affect your credit score?

Social Security survival strategies with COLA only at 0.2%
Surving a stagnant cost of living increase adjustment.

How Apps Can Help (and Hurt) Your Finances
Could your apps lead you to spend more?

Five apps to organize your financial life

smartphones_financeEarlier this year a tax pro mentioned the FileThis organizing app to me. Within seconds of installing it, I wondered, “Where has this been all my life?”

I have tried an absurd number of software programs that promised to simplify, streamline and de-clutter our family’s financial life. Most fell short, offering too little benefit, steep learning curves or both. A few insanely useful ones, though, made it to the mobile Hall of Fame, otherwise known as my home screen.

In my latest for Reuters, a look at five apps that will help you get a grip on your money.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Image9Today’s top story: Credit mistakes you’ll regret immediately. Also in the news: Apps to organize your financial life, how to curb impulse buying, and changes you need to make if you’re laid off.

5 Credit Mistakes You’ll Regret Immediately
Avoid making these at all costs.

5 Apps to Organize Your Financial Life
Organization right at your fingertips.

Save the Same Amount You Splurge to Curb Impulse Buying
Getting your spending under control.

Laid off? 9 changes to make today
Making the transition easier.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

smartphones_financeToday’s top story: Apps to help you manage your household finances. Also in the news: Why not saving enough for retirement in your 20’s could spell doom, what college students need to know about money, and the pros and cons of using balance transfers to pay down credit card debt.

The Best Tools for Managing Household Finances
New apps to help keep your household finances running smoothly.

Why Saving Too Little For Retirement In Your 20s Is A Bet You’ll Die Young And Broke
A little straight talk.

What College Students Need to Know About Money
So that they don’t die young and broke.

The pros and cons of using a balance transfer to pay off debt.
Beware accumulated interest.

How Often Can I Apply for New Credit Cards Without Hurting My Credit Scores?
The cost of a hard inquiry.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

imagesToday’s top story: Where you can do your back-to-school shopping tax-free! Also in the news: Personal finance apps for young people, what to do when your identity is stolen, and money moves every 20-something should make before the end of summer.

18 States Where You Can Do Your Back-to-School Shopping Tax-Free
More money for school supplies!

10 Personal Finance Apps For Teens And Young Adults
The earlier they start, the better off they’ll be.

9 Things to Do Immediately After Your Identity Is Stolen
Don’t panic.

6 Money Moves Every 20-Something Should Make Before Summer Is Over
Getting yourself on the right track for the rest of the year.

Top 10 U.S. Cities To Retire If You Still Want To Work
In case you’re not ready to golf full-time.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

105182624Today’s top story: Time for some financial spring cleaning. Also in the news: Apps that can make your summer vacation less expensive, how to appeal a college financial aid offer, and how banks and credit unions protect your information.

Financial Spring Cleaning; 5 Steps To Get Your House In Order
Getting rid of the winter dust.

9 Helpful Apps, Sites That Make Summer Vacation Cheaper
More money for souvenirs!

How to Appeal College Financial Aid Offers
Making your case.

How Banks and Credit Unions Protect Your Personal Information
Protecting you from identity theft.

How to Make Sense of Your Paycheck
Deciphering your pay stub.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

bankruptcy_formToday’s top story: How to decide between debt consolidation or bankruptcy. Also in the news: Apps that can help you save money right now, how to create an income plan from your retirement savings, and how to protect yourself against unemployment.

Debt Consolidation Vs. Bankruptcy: Which Should You Choose?
How to make a crucial decision.

These 7 apps can help you save money right away
It’s like having a bank right in your pocket.

Creating an income plan from your savings
Determining what you need to live on.

10 Steps to Protect Yourself Against an Unexpected Job Loss
Preparing for the unexpected.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

AA-hommeToday’s top story: How to discover what personal finance nerds know. Also in the news: How to get a judgment off of your credit report, the high cost of college tuition convenience fees, and what’s really behind all of your financial fears.

10 Things Only Personal Finance Nerds Would Understand
We could all stand to be a little nerdy when it comes to personal finance.

How to Get a Judgment off Your Credit Report
Difficult but not impossible.

Is Convenience When Paying Your Tuition Worth a 2.62% Fee?
Not when it could add up to over $1000 a year.

Common Money Fears and How to Get Over Them
What’s really behind those nagging financial fears?

Five apps to help you organize your personal finances
Something to do on your phone that isn’t Candy Crush.