Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to find a good tax preparer. Also in the news: Excuses for delaying retirement savings, what the TCF bank suit means for you, and why used cars usually have higher interests rates.

How to Find a Good Tax Preparer (and Write Off the Bad Ones)
Finding good help during tax season.

Excuses, Excuses When Delaying Retirement Savings
No more excuses.

What TCF Bank Suit Means for You: Defend Against Overdraft Fees
What opting in really means.

Why Used Cars Usually Have Higher Interest Rates
Guarding against risk.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

interest-rates-300x225Today’s top story: 7 questions and answers about the fed rate hike. Also in the news: How to avoid the Social Security tax bubble, how the fed rate hike could affect your student loans, and how not to be tricked by retailers’ “regular prices.”

Fed Rate Hike: 7 Questions (and Answers)
What you need to know.

How to Avoid the Social Security ‘Tax Bubble’
Know how and when Social Security benefits are taxed.

Fed Rate Hike: What It Means for Student Loans
How your loans might be affected.

Don’t Be Tricked by Retailers’ Unreal Regular Prices
Don’t fall for the bait-and-switch.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

imagesToday’s top story: How President Trump could affect your student loans. Also in the news: Why your student loan interest rates are so high, costly mistakes when sending money online, and money tips for new parents.

5 Ways President Trump Could Affect Your Student Loans
With a new administration comes new rules.

Why Are Your Student Loan Interest Rates So High?
Why you’re paying so much in interest.

3 Costly Mistakes When Sending Money Online
Don’t spend more than you have to.

New Parents: Save Money (and Sleep Better) with These 5 Tips
You do remember sleep, don’t you?

Great credit is a powerful tool

Credit report with score on a desk

Credit report with score on a desk

Credit scores are a financial tool, but whether they’re a lever or a hammer depends on how good they are.

You can leverage great scores into great deals — on loans, credit cards, insurance premiums and cell phone plans. Bad scores can hammer you into missing out or paying more.

The lifetime cost of higher interest rates from bad or mediocre credit can exceed six figures. In my latest for the Associated Press, how to save thousands of dollars in interest by building great credit.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

shutterstock_101159917Today’s top story: When and how much a Fed rate hike will cost you. Also in the news: The art of lowering your bills, how to become Social Security savvy, and why you should check your credit report after getting married.

Fed Rate Hike: When and How Much It Will Cost You
What to expect when the Fed pulls the trigger.

Ace the Art of Lowering Your Bills
Treat it like a science.

Are You Social Security Savvy?
What you know and don’t know.

Check Your Credit Report for Inquires After You Get Married
Checking for changes.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

teen-creditToday’s top story: What to know about cash-back shopping websites. Also in the news: Tips to slash unnecessary monthly expenses, what you need to know about online bill pay, and the factors that affect your credit card’s interest rate.

What to Know About Cash-Back Shopping Sites
Getting rewarded for shopping!

4 Tips to Slash Unnecessary Monthly Expenses
Cutting out the fat.

Online Bill Pay: What It Is and Why You Should Use It
Making your bill paying life easier.

The Factors That Affect Your Credit Card’s Interest Rate and How to Tell If Yours Is Too High
What’s driving your rate?

Monday’s need-to-know money news

crop380w_istock_000009258023xsmall-dbet-ball-and-chainToday’s top story: Mortgage application forms will look different next year. Also in the news: 5 times you shouldn’t use a credit card, why you should say no to 72-84 month auto loans, and why you need to stop being delusional about debt.

It’s Coming: The First Change to Mortgage Application Forms in 20 Years
An easier to understand application is on the way.

5 Times You Shouldn’t Use a Credit Card
High interest rates could leave you in a debt spiral.

5 Reasons to Say No to 72- and 84-Month Auto Loans
Long term loans set you up for years of negative equity.

Don’t be debt delusional: Quit buying stuff you can’t afford!
Time for a reality check.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

interest-rates-300x225Today’s top story: When to expect a fed rate hike. Also in the news: The hazards of long-distance home shopping, what being a landlord means for your taxes, and why back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be a budget-buster.

Fed Rate Hike Likely Later Rather Than Sooner, Experts Say
When you can expect a jump.

The Hazards of a Long-Distance Home Purchase
Proceed with caution.

Want to be a landlord? Here’s what it means for your taxes
It’s a whole new ballgame.

Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be a budget buster
It’s already that time of the year again.

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.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

budgetToday’s top story: How to earn more interest on your money. Also in the news: When and how to appeal a financial aid award, what you need to know about estate planning, and how keeping your finances simple can ensure you staying on top of them.

4 Ways to Earn More Interest on Your Money
Making your money work for you.

When and How to Appeal a Financial Aid Award
Asking for more.

Do I need a will? What to know about estate planning
YES.

Keep Your Finances Simple to Ensure You Stay On Top of Them
Don’t overcomplicate things.