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Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 12 African-American financial gurus to follow in 2019. Also in the news: How minimalism can declutter your finances, 11 Presidents Day sales to shop this weekend, and 6 small business tax deductions.

12 African-American Financial Gurus to Follow in 2019
Personal finance experts share their best advice.

Minimalism Can Declutter Your Finances, Too
Debt does not spark joy.

11 Presidents Day Sales to Shop This Weekend
Good time to buy a new mattress.

6 Small Business Tax Deductions
Don’t skip these deductions.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What homeowners must remember at tax time this year. Also in the news: A GOP proposal to take student loan payments straight from your paycheck, why you might not have to pay that medical bill, and the biggest financial mistake women make.

Here’s What Homeowners Must Remember at Tax Time This Year
Learning the new tax rules.

A GOP proposal could snatch your student loan payment right from your paycheck
This could get ugly.

You Might Not Have to Pay That Medical Bill
Get ready to spend some time on the phone.

The biggest financial mistake women make? Not investing enough.
Deepening the wage gap.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Don’t let friends and family pick your financial advisor. Also in the news: A month with the 50/30/20 budget plan, what the confusing terms in your 401(k) plan mean, and a growing number of Americans have more credit card debt than savings.

Don’t Let Friends and Family Pick Your Financial Advisor
Due diligence is essential.

Budget Diary: Navigating Holiday Spending and Debt Payments
A month with the 50/30/20 budget.

What This Confusing Term in Your 401(k) Plan Means
Deciphering the strange terms.

A growing number of Americans have more credit-card debt than savings
And it’s getting worse.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The biggest financial mistake women make. Also in the news: How to find the dirt on your tax preparer, nine states where you can file your taxes after April 15th, and experts reveal who is likely to get a lower refund this tax season.

The Biggest Financial Mistake Women Make
Navigating the wage gap.

How to Find the Dirt on Your Tax Preparer
Be careful who you trust.

You Can File Taxes After April 15 in These Nine States
Is yours one of them?

Here’s who is more likely to get a lower refund this tax season, according to experts
Don’t be caught by surprise.

Companies are also flunking retirement planning

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Plenty has been written about American workers’ failure to plan adequately for retirement. Their employers seem to be doing an even worse job.

Only 1 in 10 large employers offers a formal phased-retirement program that lets workers cut back their hours or responsibilities before they quit work entirely, according to the 2018 Longer Working Careers Survey by professional services consultant Willis Towers Watson. Fewer than 1 in 3 of the companies surveyed offered their employees the option to work part time or switch to a less demanding job, according to the survey, which polled 143 large U.S. companies that employ 2.9 million people.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why more companies should offer formal phased retirement programs.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How student loan default can gut your paycheck. Also in the news: Changing your screen habits from time-wasting to money-saving, 5 tips for cutting the cost of having your taxes done, and what to do about a surprise student loan bill.

How Student Loan Default Can Gut Your Paycheck
Avoiding wage garnishment.

Change Your Screen Habits From Time-Wasting to Money-Saving
Using your apps to be more productive.

5 Tips for Cutting the Cost of Having Your Taxes Done
Free help could be available.

What to Do About a Surprise Student Loan Bill
Don’t ignore the mail.