Friday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: What Hillary Clinton’s college affordability plan could mean for you. Also in the news: How to enjoy your summer vacation without going broke, what seniors want you to know about managing money, and how to save for retirement without a full-time job.

What Clinton’s College Affordability Plan Could Mean for You
Is this a gamechanger?

Enjoy Your Summer Vacation — Without Maxing out Your Credit Cards
It doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

10 Things Seniors Want You to Know About Managing Money
Speaking from experience.

5 ways to save for retirement without a full-time job or 401k
Every bit helps.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

150309_BlogToday’s top story: Why Americans should care about Brexit. Also in the news: Other insurance benefits you can count on, why millions of Americans prefer their credit card statements on paper, and simple budgeting strategies that can bring real results.

3 Reasons Why Americans Should Care About ‘Brexit’
It’s not just Europe’s problem.

The Other ‘Insurance’ Benefits You Can Count On
Insurance outside the box.

Millions of Americans prefer their credit card statements on paper
Old habits die hard.

Five Simple Budgeting Strategies That Can Bring Real Results
Simple savings can bring in big bucks.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

shutterstock_38185810-2Today’s top story: Why university checking accounts don’t make the grade. Also in the news: Financial steps to take in your 30s, personal finance calculators, and the savings habits of the super rich.

University Checking Accounts Don’t Make the Grade
High overdraft fees are a dealbreaker.

7 Important Financial Steps to Take in Your 30s
Time to start thinking past tomorrow.

15 Personal Finance Calculators Everyone Should Use
It’s all about the numbers.

The Super Rich Start Saving Super Early
Learning from the masters.

Don’t Give Up on Social Security — Count On It

Blog-Crop71Everything you think you know about Social Security is probably wrong.

The system isn’t “running out of money.” It’s not going bankrupt. And the chances are quite good that millennials will receive benefits from Social Security — although half of them don’t believe it, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study.

Not understanding how Social Security works can be hugely detrimental to your future retirement. In my latest for NerdWallet, why it’s important to act instead of panicking.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

downloadToday’s top story: Why more banks are turning to biometrics for security. Also in the news: How natural disasters can hurt your finances, how to get your late credit card payment waived, and 10 things that will cost you less this summer.

More Banks Turn to Biometrics to Keep an Eye on Security
Your eyes could hold the literal key to your account.

5 Surprising Ways Natural Disasters Can Hurt Your Finances
Incidentals alone can add up quickly.

How to get your late credit card payment waived
It can’t hurt to ask.

10 Things That Will Be Cheaper During the Summer of 2016
Where you can expect to save some cash.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

seniorslaptopToday’s top story: Why getting pre-approved for a mortgage is important if you live in these cities. Also in the news: How couples can master the financial balancing act, overcoming income shocks, and how 529 plans can now be used for college supplies.

Get Preapproved for a Mortgage — Especially if You Live in These Cities
Where real estate inventory is moving fast.

How Couples Can Master the Financial Balancing Act
Creating an equitable balance,

How to Overcome ‘Income Shocks’ that Wreck Retirement Security
Coping with unexpected surprises.

Now 529 plans can be used for college supplies
Getting your freshman the computer she needs.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

scamToday’s top story: The red flags of a toxic online loan. Also in the news: What to do when you can’t get enough financial aid, why 43% of Millennials have bad credit, and 10 questions to help start getting your financial life in order.

5 Red Flags of a Toxic Online Loan
Who are you really borrowing from?

Can’t Get Enough Financial Aid? Here’s What to Do
Take a deep breath.

43% of Millennials Have Bad Credit, TransUnion Says
Subprime scores.

Get Your Financial Life In Order By Answering These 10 Questions
Taking the first steps.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Checking your credit doesn’t hurt your scores. Also in the news: Personal finance tips from NerdWallet moms, why you should prepare now for the death of a spouse, and the benefits of easing into a new savings budget.

Checking Your Credit Doesn’t Hurt Your Scores
Not checking your scores could hurt much more.

NerdWallet Moms Share Their Personal Finance Tips
Sharing lessons learned.

Why You Should Prepare Now for the Death of a Spouse
Making things easier down the road.

Boost Your Savings By 1% At a Time to Slowly Adjust to a New Budget
Easing into a new budget spares you from a shock to the system.

Is Saving Pointless?

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailRaise your hand if you’ve ever tried to build an emergency fund, then gave up after an unexpected expense drained away everything you managed to save.

If that’s you, then you’re likely part of the 47% of Americans who recently told the Federal Reserve that they wouldn’t be able to pay an unexpected $400 expense without borrowing or selling something. Some said they wouldn’t be able to come up with the money at all.

In my latest for NerdWallet, how your savings is what stands between you and the financial shocks that could send your life into a tailspin.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

file_161555_0_tax refundToday’s top story: Smart things to do with your tax refund. Also in the news: New options for payday loan borrowers, how to build an emergency fund on a low income, and how to decide when to claim Social Security.

Smart Things To Do With Your Tax Refund
Putting your refund to good use.

A New Option for Payday Loan Borrowers
Borrowers in California and Texas may have better options.

Build Your Emergency Fund On a Low Income With a Simple Bill Tweak
A slight tweak in how you pay your bills could save the day.

3 fast facts that can help you decide when to claim Social Security
Making the best decision for your retirement.