Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Fighting auto loan bias, despite Congress. Also in the news: What you should tell your financial advisor, how much you should spend on a Mother’s Day gift, and why you shouldn’t pay anyone to help with your student loans.

You Can Fight Auto Loan Bias, Despite Congress’ Reversal
Preapprovals are key.

What You Should Tell Your Financial Advisor
Everything they need to know.

How Much Should You Spend on a Mother’s Day Gift?
Making Mom happy.

Don’t Pay Anyone to ‘Help’ You With Your Student Loans
Beware of scams.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to keep Mother’s Day spending down. Also in the news: How the rise in student loan rates will affect borrowers, where to sell your stuff online, and will you see a Social Security check in your lifetime.

Mother’s Day Spending Is up, but You Can Keep Costs Down
It’s the thought that counts.

How Rise in Student Loan Rates Will Affect Borrowers
What to expect.

Where to Sell Your Stuff Online
Making some extra cash.

Will You See a Social Security Check in Your Lifetime?
What are the odds?

What Mom really wants on Sunday…

Massage of shuolder…is a day at the spa, according to a poll commissioned by Insure.com.

About two out of five moms picked pampering as their top choice for a purchased gift. A family getaway was the next most popular option, preferred by about one third of respondents. Gift cards, a nice dinner out, a romantic getaway, chocolates and breakfast in bed were other favorites.

As for the day itself, the majority wanted to spend time with the whole family and preferred homemade presents from their kids.

Appreciating Mom means appreciating all the things mothers do, which offers a natural segue (at least for personal finance types) to a discussion about the importance of life insurance. That’s part of the Insure.com post as well. The idea is that if Mom weren’t around, you’d have to not only replace her income (assuming she works outside the home, as most mothers do) plus hire someone to perform at least some of the many tasks she accomplishes each day.

But “Hey, Mom, I bought you some life insurance!” doesn’t really have the right ring to it. So look into getting insurance, but book the massage as well.